News

VTA officer died in police custody, due to Blunt Force Trauma!

Published

2 years ago

June 7, 2023

editor

The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (6) ruled that the cause of death of the Assistant Manager of the Vocational Training Authority, who died while in custody of the Police Narcotic Bureau, was Blunt Force Trauma.

Maligakanda Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrama while delivering the order on the postmortem, ordered for the immediate arrest of those responsible for the death.

On the 10th of January 2023, Samantha Preethi Kumara, an Assistant Manager at the Vocational Training Authority in Narahenpita had visited a restaurant with a friend to have lunch.

Samantha Preethi Kumara had decided to walk back to his office after purchasing his meal, while his friend decided to stay back and enjoy lunch at the restaurant.

It was during his way back to office, that Samantha Preethi Kumara was taken away by a group that arrived in a jeep.

Thereafter, relatives were informed that his lifeless body was lying at the Colombo National Hospital.

On that day, when News 1st contacted the Police Spokesperson, SSP Nihal Thalduwa, he said that Samantha Preethi Kumara was picked up by the police suspected of being a leading player in a drug network that was under investigation.

The Police Spokesperson went on to note that the detectives from the Police Narcotic Bureau had interrogated the suspects with regard to those above him in the drug network, and during the course of the inquiry the suspect had smashed a bottle in half, and attacked the police officer.

However, in court on Tuesday (6) it was revealed that Samantha Preethi Kumara died as a result of bleeding due to the assault.

(newsfirst.lk)

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.