Connect with us

News

Police to use underwater cameras to find dislodged stone

Published

on

Dutch monk’s death:

by Suresh Perera

Police sleuths probing the mysterious death of the Dutch monk are expected to use underwater cameras in an attempt to trace the stone that’s believed to be at the bottom of the Ratgama lagoon after it had dislodged from one of the bhikku’s legs, a top police official said.

Two stones had been tied to the legs of Ven. Olande Jinawansa thera but only one was found intact at the time his body was found floating in the lagoon.

“We will be looking for a stone of similar size and weight as it would help ongoing investigations”, says Senior DIG Rohan Silva in charge of the Southern province.

He said the police have already recorded statements from more than 100 persons, including monks residing at the Dodanduwa Polgasduwa forest monastery, boatmen, fishermen and those who had offered alms to the monk when he went on pindapatha.

Asked whether there were any indications to suggest that the 59-year-old foreign monk had been killed and his body dumped in the lagoon, he replied, “there has been no evidence so far that he was killed, but we are investigating with an open mind to establish the circumstances of his death”.

Senior DIG Silva said the Government Analyst’s report, which was expected next week, will shed more light on the Dutch monk’s death and help police investigators to figure out what transpired.

On whether any arrests have been made so far, he said, “no, but the police are pursuing some important leads”.

The monastery where the Dutch monk meditated plus an adjoining island were searched by the police and the STF earlier but nothing suspicious was found.

Ven. Olande Jinawansa thera came to Sri Lanka in 2008 from northern Thailand.



Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

Navy seize three Indian fishing boats poaching in Sri Lankan waters

Published

on

By

The Sri Lanka Navy seized three Indian fishing boats and apprehended 10 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, during a special operation conducted in the sea area north of Mannar and off the Delft Island in the dark hours of 19 Feb 25.

The Indian fishing boat, together with 04 fishermen aboard, held by the North Central Naval Command was brought to the Talaimannar Pier and they will be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar for legal action. Meanwhile the 02 Indian fishing boats and 06 fishermen held by the Northern Naval Command were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for legal proceedings.

Including the recent operation, the Navy has held 13 Indian fishing boats and apprehended 99 Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters, thus far in 2025.

Continue Reading

News

Two solar power plants to be established as Indo-Lanka joint ventures at Sampur

Published

on

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal submitted by the Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody to proceed with the establishment of two solar power plants capable of producing 50 megawatts and 70 megawatts at Sampur, Trincomalee, as a joint venture between Sri Lanka and India.

Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, said yesterday (20) that an agreement had been reached between the governments of Sri Lanka and India to set up those solar power plants in two phases—50 megawatts in the first stage and 70 megawatts in the second stage. The project will be undertaken as a joint venture between the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and India’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) under a construction, ownership, and operation model.

He noted that the proposed 50 MW solar power project would be implemented by Trincomalee Power Company Ltd, a partnership between the CEB and NTPC to develop the previously planned coal power project at Sampur.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to take the necessary steps to advance the project’s implementation, the Cabinet Spokesman said.

Continue Reading

News

Health unions threaten to strike unless…

Published

on

by Sujeewa Thathsara

The Health Professionals’ Association has announced plans to take strong professional action unless the recent government decision to reduce overtime and leave entitlements for full-time and part-time medical and nursing staff.

This ultimatum came during a meeting held in Colombo on Feb 19, where several health workers’ unions gathered to discuss the implications of the budgetary changes.

Ravi Kumudesh, President of the Health Professionals’ Association, said that if the authorities failed to provide fair solutions soon, they would be compelled to launch a strike.

“We have given the Health Minister seven days to engage in meaningful discussions and resolve these issues,” Kumudesh said, highlighting the sacrifices health professionals made, working around the clock to deliver essential services.

The Joint Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine (JCPSM) also expressed concern over the budget’s impact on health sector employees.

Meanwhile, other professional unions have also voiced their dissatisfaction with the budget. Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thera, President of the Association of Education Professionals, pointed out that the expected salary increases for schoolteachers and principals had not been granted.

Continue Reading

Trending