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Police to set up Drones Division to help combat illegal activities

Published

5 years ago

2021/03/28

by Norman Palihawadana

The Police Department unveiled plans to establish a Drones Division to help in efforts to curb illegal activities across the country.

“We have already acquired four drones with advanced technological features and another 17 are in the pipeline”, a senior police official said.

Expressing optimism of setting up the proposed Drones Division before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, he noted that the drones, which are considered an “electronic eye in the sky”, will be deployed in all provinces across the country.

“With the use of these drones, we will not only be able to stem crimes but also identify persons wanted by the police for criminal activities”, he said.

The drones will also cover the Northern and Eastern provinces, the police official said, adding that the Southern Expressway will also be placed under surveillance.

Many other countries use drones in their crime fighting and prevention efforts, he pointed out.

He said the drones will augment the existing surveillance cameras which play a pivotal role in not only curbing criminal activity but also bringing to book road traffic offenders.

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Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM

Published

3 mins ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya stated that the necessary financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces. She emphasized that these funds must be utilized effectively for school development and requested that relevant authorities submit proposals to address existing shortcomings in school infrastructure.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a cordial meeting with Muslim women in the Wellawaya area on 1st of March.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister met with the Chief Sanghanayake of the Uva Wellassa region and the Chief Incumbent of Yudaganawa Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Most Venerable Galtemwatte Nandarathana Nayaka Thero, and briefed him on the current progress of the new education reforms.

She further stated that, while ensuring due recognition for vocational education, steps are being taken to develop 50 vocational training centers equipped with modern courses, covering all 25 districts of the country. She also noted that new education reforms will be introduced for Grade 6 starting in 2027, and that the printing of new textbooks will be entrusted to the Educational Publications Department of the Ministry of Education.

The occasion was attended by Uva Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security R.M. Jayawardhana, Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijewardene, local government representatives, the Buttala Divisional Secretary and the District Secretary.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Latest News

Free 14 day visa extension for visitors unable to depart Sri Lanka

Published

5 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

The Department of Immigration and Emmigration has decided effective from 28th February 2026, to grant a free fourteen (14) day visa extension to all tourists who are unable to leave Sri Lanka due to flight cancellations.

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Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrives in Colombo

Published

6 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

The Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrived at the Port of Colombo for replenishment purposes on 02 Mar 26. The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The ship is a 48.9m long Offshore Patrol Vessel which is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Nafiu Mohamed.

Meanwhile, the ship’s crew is scheduled to visit several tourist attractions in the city of Colombo, during their stay in the island.