News

Seychelles Coast Guard rescues lost fishing vessel “Lorenzo Putha 4”

Published

1 year ago

January 29, 2024

editor

The government received notification that the vessel “Lorenzo Putha 4,” previously lost in the Arabian Sea, has been successfully rescued by the Seychelles Coast Guard.

The Seychelles Navy officially communicated this information to Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka, Chief of Presidential Staff and Senior Advisor to the President on National Security, today (29).

The multi-day fishing vessel “Lorenzo Putha 4” commenced its maiden voyage from the Dikovita fishing harbour on January 12, carrying six fishermen. According to the Department of Fisheries, the vessel was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea, approximately 1,160 nautical miles from land.

Consequently, the Sri Lanka Navy informed the joint maritime force, consisting of 40 countries located in Bahrain, to investigate the missing vessel. The Seychelles Coast Guard initiated a special operation to locate the “Lorenzo Putha 4,” successfully finding the vessel in the possession of Somali pirates.

In a commendable effort, the Seychelles Coast Guard arrested three Somali pirates, and all six fishermen aboard the “Lorenzo Putha 4” were safely rescued. Under the guidance of Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka, the President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President, operations have been launched to bring the fishing vessel back to the country.

The Sri Lanka Navy, with special supervision, is overseeing this operation, and the Seychelles Coast Guard has informed that the vessel is currently en route to Victoria Port in Seychelles.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Maid at Keheliya’s residence, remanded

Published

2 hours ago

June 11, 2025

editor

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today (June 11) ordered the remand of a woman who had worked as a maid at the private residence of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, until June 17.

She was remanded over the case involving the misuse of public funds through fraudulent appointments to the Ministry of Health.

The suspect, Nipuni Krishnajina Rajapaksha, a resident of Embilipitiya, was taken into custody by officials from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on June 11, 2025.

According to CIABOC, she is believed to be connected to a broader investigation into the alleged misuse of government salaries and overtime allowances through false Health Ministry appointments.

News

Ranil gives statement on Immunoglobulin Cabinet papers

Published

2 hours ago

June 11, 2025

editor

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this afternoon to provide a statement.

The statement was in relation to cabinet papers submitted by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella concerning the procurement of Human Immunoglobulin.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived at the CID at 3:00 PM and gave his statement over the course of approximately one hour.

The questioning focused on two cabinet papers presented on September 26 and October 25, 2022, which proposed the emergency purchase of Human Immunoglobulin and other medications.

The cabinet papers, submitted by Minister Rambukwella, cited a severe shortage of essential medicines in the country and emphasized the urgent need to procure additional stocks to prevent a worsening of the crisis.

(News1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

President AKD meets his German counterpart (Pics)

Published

2 hours ago

June 11, 2025

editor

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who is currently on an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, was warmly received today (June 11) by German President Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Upon his arrival at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, President Disanayake was welcomed with full state honours including a ceremonial Guard of Honour accorded by the German Armed Forces. The President also participated in the inspection of the military parade.

Following the official welcome ceremony, President Disanayake and President Steinmeier held bilateral discussions.

The bilateral talks focused on further strengthening economic and international relations between the two nations, with special attention given to enhancing cooperation in vocational training and the tourism industry.

(President’s Media Division)