News

Retired DIG, NWP politician to be quizzed

Published

8 months ago

May 14, 2024

nipuni

Police are planning to question a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) and another powerful politician in the North Western Province in connection with the investigation into the murder of Susith Jayawansha in Kuliyapitiya.

Jayawansha who went to his girlfriend’s house in Wassaulla, Kuliyapitiya, on April 22, on a request by his girlfriend’s father, had been later beaten to death and his body had been found in Madampe Panirendawa forest reserve.

Police have also received information that the former DIG retired after working in the North Western Province and his wife is a relative of the main suspect in this murder.

A senior Police officer involved in the investigation said that it was the retired DIG who misled the Police by saying that the main suspect, Singithi, and his wife would be handed over to the Police and later convinced them to surrender to Court.

Investigations have also revealed that Singithi, the main suspect in this murder, is in close association with several powerful politicians in the North Western Province.

Police have received information that he has taken legal advice from two North Western Province politicians who are also lawyers.

During an investigation of the telephone network, it has also been clearly revealed that Singithi had made several telephone calls to these politicians on those days.

Police had recorded a statement from Athula Wijesinghe, a former Chief Minister of the North Western Province, after it was found that Singithi had placed calls to him.

So far eight people have been arrested in connection with this murder.

Among them are the main suspect Singithi, his wife and his parents.

In addition, Singithi’s brother-in-law and the two carpenters who were brought by Singithi from Welimada to assist him with this murder too are under custody.

(dailynews.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Hingurakgoda runway expansion moves forward

Published

42 minutes ago

January 15, 2025

editor

The next phase of construction for the Hingurakgoda runway, which includes an additional 850-metre extension, is set to commence today (15).

The project aims to upgrade the runway to international standards, enabling operations of A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is leading the design and construction efforts, with the Road Development Authority (RDA) providing consultations and the Civil Aviation Authority and Airports and Aviation Sri Lanka offering regulatory guidance.

Officially inaugurated on August 19, 2024, the project is divided into four phases.

The first phase focuses on constructing the main runway and includes seven stages. So far, stages one and two have been completed, covering 850 metres of the total 2,500-metre runway with an asphalt binder course.

A key milestone was achieved on Monday (13) when a Y-12 aircraft, piloted by Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, conducted a successful test landing on the completed section.

The event was attended by Air Vice Marshal Sumedha Silva and Air Commodore Dinesh Jayaweera, among other officials.

News

2 Chinese nationals arrested at BIA with gems worth over Rs. 17 mn.

Published

12 hours ago

January 14, 2025

editor

Two Chinese nationals have been nabbed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night (Jan. 13) after attempting smuggle a stock of gemstones out of the country.

The customs officers had apprehended the 45-year-old male and his 21-year-old daughter who had hidden gemstones in their undergarments, reports say.

According to Sri Lanka Customs, he stock of gemstones includes Moonstones, Hessonite Garnets, Star Sapphires, Cats Eyes and Emeralds weighing around 689.5 grams in total and valued around Rs. 17,450,875.

News

100 families in Suduwella village, evacuated

Published

12 hours ago

January 14, 2025

editor

100 families residing in Suduwella village, Gal Oya have been evacuated to safety, District Secretary of Ampara District, Chinthaka Abeywickrama says.
Noting that the Gal Oya is near to breaching its banks, Mr. Abeywickrama has said that the evacuation was done in the face of a possible flood situation.

Meanwhile, the banks of the Gal Oya have been severely eroded in the Kota Vehera area.