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State-of-the-Art Disaster Early Warning System launched

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Under the auspices of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, a sophisticated disaster early warning system was officially introduced today (19), marking a collaborative effort involving the Disaster Management Centre, Sri Lanka Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and major telephone service providers including SLT Mobitel, Hutch, Dialog and Airtel. 

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing this strategic initiative was also signed at the President’s Office today. 

Director General of the Disaster Management Centre Major General S. Ranasinghe (Retired) and Director General of the Sri Lanka Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Mr. Madhushanka Dissanayake, were the signatories to the MoU. Notable stakeholders, including Group Chief Executive Officer of Dialog Axiata Mr. Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka Telecom Mr. Janaka R. Abeysinghe, Chief Executive Officer of Bharti Airtel Lanka Mr. Ashish Chandra, Chief Operating Officer of Mobitel Pvt. Ltd. Mr. Sudarshan Giganage and Acting Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka Pvt. Ltd Mr. Samitra Gupta were actively involved in the signing ceremony.

The primary objective of this state-of-the-art disaster early warning system is to fortify the existing mechanism, ensuring the safety and well-being of Sri Lankan citizens amidst various disasters, including those caused by weather and climate changes. The system leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver more effective early warnings through telephone communication networks.

Specifically focusing on tsunami disasters, the system targets nearly sixty thousand (60,000) mobile and landline numbers in 14 districts identified as high-risk areas. It is designed to promptly issue an immediate early warning in the form of a distinctive “Ring Tone” notification accompanied by a siren sound.

This will establish a more robust early warning mechanism for the public, utilizing phone notifications featuring a siren sound, particularly effective during night-time hours.

Scheduled for a public rollout on “National Security Day” on December 26, 2023, the system’s scope is anticipated to expand in the future, evolving into a comprehensive multi-disaster early warning mechanism. This expansion aims to include landslides and floods, further enhancing its utility and impact.

The high-profile event was attended by key dignitaries, including State Minister for Defence Mr.  Pramita Bandara Thennakoon, President’s Senior Advisor on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Mr. Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary to the Defence Ministry General Kamal Gunaratne (Retired) and Directors of the Disaster Management Centre, Brigadier T.C. Harasgama and Mr. Pradeep Kodippili were among others. 

(President’s Media Division)

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02 arrested with over Rs. 5.7M on money laundering charges

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Two suspects have been arrested on charges of money laundering and aiding and abetting money laundering, along with Rs. 5,745,000 in cash found in their possession.

The arrests were made as part of the ongoing island-wide crime and drug prevention operation initiated under the directives of the Acting IGP. 

The two individuals were taken into custody near Thunmodara Junction in the Kirulapone Police Division after being observed acting suspiciously in a three-wheeler during a search.

They were brought to the Kirulapone Police Station, where further investigations were launched, police said.

According to police, the suspects – aged 49 and 39 – are residents of Siddhartha Road, Kirulapone. 

One of the individuals is the owner of a LP gas shop in the area. Preliminary investigations have uncovered possible links between him and illegal drug trafficking activities.

One suspect has been formally arrested for money laundering, while the other has been charged with aiding and abetting the offense, police added.

Kirulapone Police are continuing investigations to determine whether the seized funds originated from narcotics-related activities or from the suspect’s business operations.

(adaderana.lk)

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

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03 access routes for devotees attending ‘Sri Dalada Vandana’

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Three designated access routes have been announced for devotees attending the Sri Dalada Vandana (sacred pilgrimage) starting on the 18th.

The three entry routes to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic are as follows:

1. The queuing path set up from D.S. Senanayake Street (Trincomalee Street side) up to the entrance of the Sri Dalada Maligawa.
2. The queuing path starting from the Red Bridge area (Rathu Bokkuwa), passing along Sangharaja Mawatha (around the Kandy Lake), leading to the main entrance of the temple.
3. Another queuing path also starting from the Red Bridge area, going around the Maligawa premises by the Kandy Lake, and reaching the temple’s main entrance.

Devotees can use any of these designated paths to visit the temple for the upcoming Dalada Vandana.

(News1st)

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

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Fmr. prison superintendent’s murder : suspected shooter arrested

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The suspect allegedly responsible for the recent shooting of the retired Superintendent of the Boossa Prison was arrested this morning (15) by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) while attempting to leave the country through the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake.

The arrest was made at the departure terminal with the assistance of the “Face Recognition System” installed by the CID at the airport.

The suspect was reportedly apprehended while preparing to board SriLankan Airlines flight UL-404 to Bangkok, Thailand, using a forged passport.

The individual has been identified as Wijemuni Lalantha Prithiraj Kumara, 31, a resident of Kuleewatta, Ambalangoda.

He is reportedly the primary shooter and an associate of the organized criminal gang leader in the Southern Province known as “Karandeniya Sudda.”

The suspect was in possession of a fraudulent passport issued under the name Ekanayake Mudiyanselage Lakindu Sandeep Bandara.

He is also wanted by the police in connection with multiple murders and financial fraud cases in the Galle and Ambalangoda police divisions.

The arrest took place at approximately 7:50 a.m. today. He was later escorted out of the BIA premises by a team of officers, including the Officer-in-Charge of the Ambalangoda Police Headquarters, at around 10:00 a.m. today for further investigation.

(adaderana.lk)

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

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