News

Sri Lanka monitors the progress of rescued passengers

Published

11 months ago

November 9, 2022

editor

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says they are continuing to monitor the progress of the passengers of Sri Lankan origin who were rescued and bought to the Port of Vung Tau in Viet Nam on 08 November 2022.

A statement issued by the MFA says :

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Sri Lanka Navy that they had received information about a vessel carrying approximately 303 persons believed to be Sri Lankans which was in distress in the waters between the Philippines and Viet Nam on 07 November 2022. The Sri Lanka Navy having contacted the vessel, informed that the crew had abandoned the vessel with the passengers onboard.

On the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Sri Lanka Navy and the Sri Lanka Missions in the Philippines, Singapore and Viet Nam together with the regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers (MRCC) based in Singapore, the rescue efforts were coordinated.

Subsequently, the Japanese-flagged vessel, “Helios Leader”, having been contacted by the Singapore MRCC, rescued the passengers from the distressed vessel. The passengers were handed over to Viet Nam authorities at Vung Tau Port in South Viet Nam.

The screening of the passengers will be done by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in coordination with the Viet Nam authorities and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Viet Nam.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to work closely with the Sri Lanka Missions in the Philippines, Singapore, Viet Nam and IOM for early repatriation, once the screening process to ascertain their nationality and other formalities are completed.

News

5 jumbos killed in 2 train collisions

Published

8 hours ago

September 28, 2023

editor

Four elephants were killed last night after being knocked down by the night mail train from Colombo to Kankesanthurai last night (27).

The tragedy occurred between the Ambanpola and Galgamuwa railway stations.

Three elephants were killed on the spot while one succumbed to its injuries this morning.

Meanwhile, a mother and a baby elephant were knocked down by the Colombo bound Express Train from Baticaloa at Habarana, Palugaswewa on the Colombo-Batticaloa railway Line last night. The baby elephant was killed on the spot while mother elephant sustained critical injuries.

News

Person arrested with over 1kg of ‘Ice’ in Dehiwala

Published

8 hours ago

September 28, 2023

editor

Police have arrested a suspect along with 1 kilogram and 10 grams of ‘Ice’ (Crystal methamphetamine) drugs at Pannaloka Mawatha in Dehiwala.

The drugs are said to amounting to over Rs. 10 million.

The Police Headquarters mentioned that the arrest was made during a raid conducted in accordance with a tip-off received by the officers of Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).

An electric scale, mobile phone and Rs. 150,000 in cash in the possession of the man were taken into police custody.

The suspect is a 39-year-old resident of the Dehiwala area and is to be produced before the Mount Lavina Magistrate’s Court.

The CCD is conducting further investigations regarding the incident.

News

Defence Ministry issues notice on firearm license renewal for 2024

Published

9 hours ago

September 28, 2023

editor

The Ministry of Defence has issued an announcement on renewing the firearms licenses of individuals and institutions for 2024.

Accordingly, the firearm licenses can be renewed between October 01, 2023, – December 31, 2023.

Necessary details can be downloaded from the official website of the Defence Ministry (www.defence.lk).

Noting that firearm license renewal for 2024 will not be carried out after December 31, 2023, the Defence Ministry emphasized that possession of a firearm without a valid license is a punishable offense under provisions of Section 22 of the Firearms Ordinance.

Meanwhile, registration renewal of private security firms for the year 2024/2025 will be carried out from October 01, 2023 – December 31, 2023.

Any renewals made after the deadline will be subjected to a fine or legal action, the Defence Ministry said further.