News

Twists and turns in the case of kidnapped lottery winner rescued in Gampola

Published

2 months ago

August 7, 2023

editor

Special Task Force (STF) and Divisional Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers in Gampola have rescued a man who was said to have won the lottery of Rs.75 million after he was kidnapped and beaten for ten days in two houses at Rathmalkaduwa in Gampola.

Four persons including a wood mill owner were arrested for kidnapping the victim Mohammad Hasim who is a resident from Akurana.

According to the information received by the STF Intelligence Division that a man is being held captive forcibly in Rathmalkaduwa, the Gampola STF officers arrived at the location and confirmed the incident.

Accordingly, Gampola Divisional CID officials were also brought to the location to rescue the victim.

Preliminary police investigations revealed that the man who was in Dambulla, was kidnapped by four people who had gone from Gampola on July 27 and then brought him to Gampola in a car.

The man has told the police that he was severely beaten by the perpetrators demanding money which was hidden.

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that there is a dispute between the victim and the main suspect over financial transactions.

Police also suspect whether the man has been staying with the suspects willingly.

However, the man in question said he was forced to write a letter saying that he was willingly staying with the attackers, and that he was told by the attackers that the letter was an idea of the police.

He said that the lottery money has been given to another person to safeguard it. Police investigations revealed that the person who took the money had gone to Japan.

The victim said that he had done business with a person from Kurunegala and he also came to the house where he was being detained and forced him to sign a letter saying that he owes Rs.30 million to that person.

The perpetrators have also taken a letter from the victim saying that he owes them Rs.9 million.

The Gampola Police said that there were many problematic developments about this kidnapping.

The Gampola Divisional Crime Officers are conducting further investigations.

News

Landslide warnings extended

Published

8 hours ago

September 30, 2023

editor

The Department of Irrigation says that the water levels in the Kelani River and Attanagalu Oya are rising to levels that requires attention.

Director of the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Irrigation Department S. P. C. Sugeeshwara says that the Gin, Nilwala and Kalu Ganga remain at the flood level.

Many roads in the vicinity of the rivers have been inundated.

S. P. C Sugeeshwara warns that people should refrain from further using the rivers.

The landslide warnings issued to seven districts have also been extended, due to the prevailing weather conditions.

The Met Department predicts that the heavy showers in the South West will continue.

Heavy showers of about 75 mm can be expected in some areas.

News

“SLPP Leadership can change if needed”

Published

10 hours ago

September 30, 2023

editor

Former President Mahinda Rajapaska yesterday said that there should be a change in the leadership of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), if the need arises.

When the former President was asked about the veracity of the news on social media about imminent change of the SLPP leadership, said that he is not aware of any change in the leadership.

The President was speaking to the media after calling on Mahanayake Thera of the Rammanya Maha Nikaya Most Ven. Makulewe Sri Wimala Thera at the Vidyawasa Pirivena in Meerigama yesterday.

Commenting on the impending regulations on social media, the former President said that there are pros and cons in the social media. “I don’t have any issue with the social media,” he said.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa also visited the Sacred Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya and participated in religious activities. The Former President also met Chief incumbent of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya Ven. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkitha Thera and received his blessings.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, the former President said that he is physically fit despite social media reports to the contrary.

(dailynews.lk)