News
Nearly 600 arrested for drug alcohol abuse during Sri Pada season
Drug/alcohol abuse -related arrests during the Sri Pada pilgrimage season has already surpassed the 500 mark, with a total of Rs. 6,029,324 in fines collected from those convicted of such offences, according to Hatton Police.
Up to Tuesday (25), a total of 592 persons were arrested for carrying illegal substances, including hashish, ganja, cannabis mixed with herbal pills, and marijuana-laced cigarettes, while traveling to the sacred Sri Pada site since the start of this year’s pilgrimage season three months ago.
They were apprehended during operations carried out by officers from various police stations within the Hatton Division, including Hatton, Bagawanthalawa, Norwood, Maskeliya, Norton Bridge, Nallathanniya, Polpitiya, Watawala, and Ginigathena, in collaboration with the Anti-Corruption Unit of the Hatton Police Division.
Hatton Division SP Pradeep Weerasekara said that the arrested individuals, ranging from 20 to 45, pleaded guilty to the charges in court. He explained that the suspects, who are from different regions of the country, including Colombo, were apprehended while journeying with other pilgrims to the Sri Pada Mountain.
“We have been conducting extensive operations to monitor and control the transportation of drugs and alcohol during the pilgrimage season,” said SP Weerasekara. “In addition to random bag checks along the routes leading to the mountain peak, we will continue special operations to prevent the entry of illegal substances or alcohol into the area.”
All police stations in the Hatton Division have been placed on high alert, with officers specifically tasked with identifying individuals or groups attempting to carry alcohol or drugs into the pilgrimage site. Emergency roadblocks will also be established to check vehicles transporting pilgrims. Those caught in possession of illegal substances will not be allowed to continue their pilgrimage and will be detained at police stations before being presented in court.
SP Weerasekara said that the police are committed to maintaining order and ensuring the safety of pilgrims by cracking down on any illegal activity during the sacred season.
By Nalaka Ratnayake
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is on an official visit to Paris, France to participate in the high-level segment of the International Expert Conference on ’An Integrated and Sustainable Approach to Safeguarding the World Heritage Property of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka and Associated Living Heritage’ which was to be held at UNESCO Headquarters today [Tuesday 1 April], with the participation of the Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay.
The Conference, organized by UNESCO in partnership with Sri Lanka, brings together leading international experts to discuss sustainable strategies for the conservation of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of immense cultural and historical significance.
On the sidelines of the Conference, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet senior interlocutors of the French Government to discuss bilateral cooperation and areas of mutual interest.
The Delegation of the Prime Minister includes the Minister of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) BUNGO and ETAJIMA arrived at the port of Colombo on a goodwill visit this morning (01 Apr 25).
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.
The 141m long JMSDF BUNGO is an Uraga-Class Minesweeper Tender commanded by Commander TANAKA Koji and the ship is manned by a crew of 125.
Meanwhile, JMSDF Etajima, a 65-meter-long Minesweeper, is under the command of Commander Oda Takayuki and operates with a crew of 54 personnel.
During the stay in the island, crew members of the ships will explore some tourist attractions within the city of Colombo. The ships are scheduled to set sail from Colombo on 04 Apr.
“You and your families will be eliminated”
By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randun
A full-scale investigation has been launched to track down an underworld character, ‘Navy Dinesh,’ a key accomplice of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, for issuing death threats over the phone to three police officers, including the Gampaha HQI, Crime Branch OIC, of the same police station, and others.
Navy Dinesh is believed to have fled the country.
According to police sources, threats were issued following the arrest of Navy Dinesh’s father and brother in connection with a drug trafficking case.
Phone analysis reports have confirmed that the calls originated from Dubai and France.
Following the murder of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, Navy Dinesh assumed leadership of the underworld gang he had previously been involved with.
Navy Dinesh contacted the Gampaha HQI, the OIC of the Crime Branch, and the investigating police constable, and threatened to kill them and their family members. “You and your families will be eliminated,” he said.
A special police team had been assigned to investigate the matter, and a report has been submitted to the courts, police sources said.
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