News

Sarah Jasmin confirmed dead in 2019 suicide blast

Published

2 years ago

March 29, 2023

editor

DNA tests have confirmed that Pulasthini Mahendran, alias Sarah Jasmin, has died in the suicide bomb blast at the safe house in Sainthamaruthu on 26 April 2019.

This was confirmed by the Police, after DNA tests were conducted on the remains of those who were killed in the 2019 bomb explosion in Sainthamaruthu.

The exhumation of the remains buried at the Ampara cemetery was ordered by the Kalmunai Magistrate’s Court on 26 April 2022 for the re-examination of DNA.

Mahendran, a converted Islamic extremist and part of Zahran Hashim’s terror group, was the wife of suicide bomber Atchchi Muhammadu Muhamma, the attacker who targeted the St. Sebastain Church in Katuwapitiya in the string of bomb blasts that took place on 21 April 2019.

Days after the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, several including children were killed in a bomb explosion inside a house at Sainthamaruthu in Kalmunai on the 26th of April. The bomb was detonated by one of the brothers of Zahran Hashim, identified as Mohamed Rilwan.

Although it was observed during investigations that a total of 17 people had died in the explosion, none of the DNA samples from the bodies of the deceased had matched the sample from Pulasthini’s mother.

(adaderana.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Yoshitha Rajapaksa named suspect in money laundering case

Published

11 minutes ago

February 12, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka Police said that they will file charges against Yoshitha Rajapaksa under the Prevention Of Money Laundering Act.

This was confirmed by Police Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police Buddhika Manatunga during a press conference held in Colombo this morning.

SSP Manatunga stated that an investigation into Yoshitha Rajapaksa has been ongoing since 2016, following the discovery of over Rs. 59 million in his bank accounts. Rajapaksa has been unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the source of these funds. Consequently, the police initiated an investigation under the Prevention Of Money Laundering Act.

According to the Police Spokesperson, further investigations revealed that the funds were invested in fixed deposits and bank accounts maintained as a joint account with a woman named Daisy Forrest. Based on these findings, the Attorney General directed the police to name Daisy Forrest as a suspect in the case alongside Rajapaksa.

Today, the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court formally named Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Daisy Forrest as suspects in the money laundering case.

A foreign travel ban has already been imposed on Daisy Forrest. The police spokesperson said that Sri Lanka Police will continue to take necessary legal actions against all suspects involved in the case.

News

No Change in Litro Gas Prices for February

Published

21 minutes ago

February 11, 2025

editor

Channa Gunawardena, the Chairman of Litro Gas Company, has confirmed that the prices of domestic LP gas cylinders will remain unchanged for the month of February 2025.

News

17 Police officers discharged from service for drug use

Published

12 hours ago

February 11, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka Police have terminated the services of 17 officers in the past four months for consuming illegal drugs, including heroin and synthetic substances like ICE.

Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga said that the Intelligence Units and Special Investigations Unit compiled a list of officers within the Sri Lanka Police Department suspected of using drugs.

The officers in question were tested and medical reports were sent to the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board. Following the results, the officers were dismissed from the police force.

SSP Manathunga also confirmed that investigations are ongoing into several other officers facing similar charges, and action will be taken based on their medical test results.

The Acting Inspector General of Police has instructed that strict action be taken against senior officers involved in the matter.