As part of the official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, President Anura Kumara Disanayake met with German Foreign Minister Dr. Johann Wadephul yesterday evening (June 11) at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Berlin.

The discussion focused on identifying new avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, the digital economy, investment and vocational training, in line with the priorities of the Sri Lankan government.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany, Ms. Varuni Muthukumarana, Chairman of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Arjuna Herath, Director General for Europe and North America at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Trade Sugeeshwara Gunaratna and other officials. 

(President’s Media Division)

76 persons involved in various illegal fishing activities have been apprehended in multiple locations, during separate search operations conducted by the Navy from May 26 – June 07.

The operations also made way for the seizure of 20 dinghies employed for these illegal practices.
These operations were conducted by the Northern and Eastern Naval Command in Kadeikadu and Pudumathalan in Jaffna, Kalladichenai, Addukkupadu, Cod Bay, Poduwakattu, Kuchchaveli and Salpearu in Trincomalee as well as Palaminmadu in Batticaloa coastal areas. The individuals were held for their involvement in fishing with unauthorized nets, light-coarse fishing and night diving to harvest sea cucumbers. Apart from the 76 individuals and 20 dinghies, the Navy had also taken into custody 17 unauthorized fishing nets.

The suspects along with fishing boats and unauthorized gear held in these separate operations were handed over to the offices of Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Echchalampaththu, Mullaitivu, Kuchchaveli, Cod Bay and Batticaloa for legal action.

(Excerpts : navy.lk)

According to a document issued by the Anuradhapura Prison Superintendent, W.M. Athula Thilakaratne who received a Presidential pardon on Vesak Poya Day, and who is also an accused wanted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), appeared before the Anuradhapura Additional Magistrate’s Court today over a different case pending against him.

Athula Thilakaratne also came to the open courtroom of the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate’s Court to observe the case against the Anuradhapura Prison Superintendent. This case was about the letter stating that Athula was released from case number HC/69/2018, which had been pending before the Anuradhapura High Court.

When the case against the Prison Superintendent was called, Senior Counsel Aravinda Habakkula, appearing for Prison Superintendent Mohan Karunathna, told court that his client had released Athula Thilakaratne according to the law.

The lawyer added that this was confirmed by the fact that Athula himself was present in court at that moment.

While the lawyer was explaining this, Athula Thilakaratne, who was in the open courtroom along with CID officers, raised his hand and informed the Magistrate that he was present.

Athula’s lawyer, Suranga Mohotti, also told court that his client had come to the Anuradhapura Additional Magistrate’s Court  on June 11 to appear for another separate case against him.

He added that his client was also at the Chief Magistrate’s Court at that time, appearing in open court because he had been legally cleared of case number HC/69/2018, which had been pending before the Anuradhapura High Court.

A group of CID officers, who had reportedly been searching for Athula Thilakaratne to arrest him, were also present in court for the Prison Superintendent’s case.

After the hearing ended, Athula Thilakaratne was seen chatting with his friends within the court premises and later left the area, passing the CID officers.

(dailymirror.lk)