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Only 30 out of 1,690 firearms issued to VIPs returned
By Hemantha Randunu
Out of 1,690 firearms issued to various ‘VIPs’ in recent years, only 30 have been returned to the Welisara Navy Camp following a notice from the Ministry of Defence instructing the return of all weapons issued to civilians for personal security.
Defence sources revealed that a large numbers of firearms had been issued without proper threat assessments to businessmen, politicians, and other affluent individuals over the past several years.
Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya told The Island that these ‘VIPs’ had obtained police reports from police stations across the country, claiming to face various threats.
Some politicians, particularly those who were part of the Ranil Wickremesinghe administration, are said to have secured up to 10 firearms each. According to police sources, some of these weapons have gone missing.
The Ministry of Defence recently recalled all firearms issued to civilians for personal security. Over 100 MPs are among those who received those weapons. The Defence Ministry has said the firearms will be reissued if threat assessments indicate genuine safety concerns.
In August 2024, the Defence Ministry introduced a mechanism allowing MPs to purchase up to two shotguns with their personal funds. It allowed them to select repeater shotguns from the following models: Panser Arms 12 Bore Pump Action Shotgun Model SS12 (Rs 258,218.36), Panser Arms 12 Bore Ambidextrous Mag Fed Semi Auto Shotgun Model G2 Pro—Colour Black (Rs 363,117.89), or Panser Arms 12 Bore Ambidextrous Mag Fed Semi Auto Shotgun Model G2 Pro—Colour Desert (Rs 387,386.84).
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Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into the sea areas extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle
Warning for strong winds and rough seas issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 07.00 a.m. 11 October 2024 for the period until 07.00 a.m. 12 October 2024 for the sea areas off the coasts extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle
PLEASE BE AWARE
The sea areas off the coasts extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle will be very rough at times with very strong gusty winds up to (60-70) kmph
The wave height (about 2.5–3.0 m) (this is not for land area) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Hambantota via Galle and Matara.
Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into the above seas, until further notice.
Admiral Steve Koehler, a four-star U.S. Navy Admiral and Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, paid a courtesy call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (10) morning . This visit marks the highest-level U.S. military engagement with Sri Lanka since 2021.
During the meeting, Admiral Koehler reaffirmed the strong partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka, emphasizing a shared commitment to promoting an enduring, resilient, free, and open Indo-Pacific region. Discussions focused on addressing rising security challenges in the Indian Ocean, enhancing maritime domain awareness, and improving disaster response capabilities.
Admiral Koehler pledged the U.S. commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in combating transnational threats such as drug smuggling and terrorism. He praised Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts in combating drug smuggling and assured continued U.S. assistance in manpower training in the naval sector.
By Chaminda Silva
The Election Commission (EC) is not empowered to reject the nominations of candidates with past or present court verdicts against them, Chairman of the Election Commission, R.M.A.L. Rathnayake has said.Rathnayake, contacted by The Island, noted that the EC could not reject the nomination of actor and politician Ranjan Ramanayake if he submitted it.
“If anyone wishes to challenge Ramanayake’s participation in the election, he or she will have to seek a court order against him,” Ratnayake said.
“Individuals with past or present court verdicts may have decided to contest after receiving legal advice. We do not have the power to reject their nominations,” he added.
Rathnayake also told The Island that the EC had confirmed the dates for postal voting in the 2024 general election.
Postal voting for the parliamentary election will take place on 20 October, 01 and 04 November at all District Secretariats and District Election Offices.
For those who are unable to cast postal votes on the aforementioned dates, alternative voting opportunities will be available on 07 and 08 November at the same locations, according to the EC. The certification of postal voter lists will be completed by 16 October, and these lists will be handed over to the postal department for distribution on 23 October.
Rathnayake said that the delivery of official ballot papers to post offices will commence on 26 October.
Additionally, 27 and 31 October, as well as 03 November, have been designated as special days for the distribution of official polling cards. The final date for distributing ballot papers is set for 07 November 2024, according to the EC.
Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into the sea areas extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle
U.S. Pacific fleet Commander meets President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
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