President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who departed for an official state visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, has arrived at Beijing International Airport today (14) at 10:25 am Beijing time.
Upon his arrival, the President was accorded a ceremonial welcome by the Chinese military, and he was formally received by China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong and Sri Lankan ambassador to China – Majintha Jayesinghe.
The President is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake and the Director General of Government Information, H.S.K.J. Bandara.
A group of fishermen stranded at sea off the coast of Balapitiya were rescued today by a Bell 412 helicopter under the directive of the Secretary of Defence.
The fishermen were aboard a vessel that encountered distress in rough sea conditions. Upon receiving the alert, the Sri Lanka Air Force launched the helicopter to assist in the emergency rescue operation.
The Department of Meteorology has issued a Red Alert warning for strong winds and rough seas around Sri Lanka, effective from 12:30 pm today (May 30) until midnight tomorrow (May 31).
Former Sports Minister – Mahindananda Aluthgamage as well as former Trade Minister and Sathosa Chairman – Nalin Fernando, have been placed in a common ward at Welikada Prison, where they will be held with other general inmates.
Prison authorities confirmed that both individuals were issued standard-issue jumpers, along with a mat and pillow, as per prison protocol.
The two were brought to Welikada Prison yesterday afternoon following their sentencing and were subsequently subjected to medical examinations before being transferred to their assigned ward.
The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar yesterday (May 29) sentenced the duo over their involvement in a major corruption case linked to the importation of sports equipment, which is infamously known as the ‘Carrom Board’ case.
Ex-Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment while former Trade Minister – Nalin Fernando was sentenced to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment for his involvement in the case as the Lanka Sathosa Chairman at that time.