News

Teacher caught in pyramid scheme dies by suicide

Published

2 years ago

July 4, 2023

editor

A sports teacher from Walasmulla, who was caught in a pyramid scheme operating on the internet, has died by suicide in the school sports room, police sources said.

The deceased was identified as 38-year-old Srinath Darshana, a father of two, who worked as a sports instructor at Kanumuldeniya Vidyalaya, Pallekanda North in Walasmulla.

The teacher has been missing since July 1, and the principal found his body inside the sports room while they were looking for him.

The Walasmulla Police removed the body after the principal informed them about the incident.

Police said a letter written by the teacher with a red pen was also found.

The teacher has invested a large amount of money in an illegal pyramid scheme for an attractive interest, and the police suspects that he may have died by suicide since he had not received the invested amount back.

The teacher had told a friend about a month ago that he had invested a large amount of money in a pyramid scheme and that he would have no option but to die by suicide if he did not receive any benefits.

The Walasmulla Police said that neither his wife nor his relatives knew that he had invested money in a pyramid scheme, and investigations are being carried out in this regard.

Police sources said that many people including police officers in the Hambantota area were caught in this illegal pyramid scheme.

Many people have lost the money they have invested and the police have received a number of complaints in this regard.

The Walasmulla Police are conducting investigations under the instructions of Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of Tangalle Division K.B. Keerthiratne.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

1 hour ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Controller of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Illukpitiya, today (July 01) unconditionally pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court in a case related to contempt of court.

The charge stemmed from his failure to comply with a court order related to the e-visa issuance process.

The Supreme Court announced that sentencing will take place on July 24.

News

Nishantha Wickramasinghe remanded again (Update)

Published

1 hour ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former SriLankan Airlines Chairman – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been remanded till July 15 by Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga.

(Previous news 2025 July 01,12.15pm.)

Ex-SriLankan Airlines chief produced before court

Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by prison officials today (July 01).

Wickramasinghe was arrested last week by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and is currently in remand custody,

News

Seat belt compulsory for bus drivers from today

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has announced that starting today (July 01), it will be mandatory for all bus drivers to wear seat belts, with strict penalties for non-compliance.

Under the MotorTraffic Act, bus drivers are legally required to wear seat belts, but a rise in accidents due to drivers ignoring this rule has prompted the authorities to re-enforce it.

Police confirmed that action will be taken against drivers who fail to comply.

Seat belts to be made mandatory for all passengers in expressways

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport has also stated that wearing seat belts will be made mandatory to all passengers of light vehicles travelling on expressways from August 01, 2025.

Meanwhile, wearing seat belts will also be mandatory to all passengers of all vehicles on expressways from September 01, 2025.

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake also confirmed the directive while speaking to media this morning (July 01) during an inspection tour at the Colombo Central Bus Stand.