News
Ambassador Samarasinghe Attends East Coast Cricket Festival – 2024
Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe was a special guest last weekend at a Cricket Festival organized by residents of Lankan descent in the U.S. East Coast at the Tall Timbers Park cricket field in South Brunswick, New Jersey, the Colombo foreign office said. He was invited by President Saliya de Silva of the Ananda College Old Boys Association East Coast USA.
The 17th edition of this festival featured teams comprising alumni from several renowned Sri Lankan schools, including Ananda, Nalanda, Royal, St. Thomas', Maris Stella, St. Peter’s, Trinity, Mahanama, Isipathana, and Thurstan a news release from the Washington Embassy said.
Over the past 16 years, the East Coast Cricket Festival has grown significantly in popularity, now attracting Sri Lankan participants, their families, and friends from various parts of the United States.
The event symbolizes the unity among different groups sharing a common heritage.
In addition to the cricket matches, the festival featured fun activities for children, volleyball games, and food stalls, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Ambassador Samarasinghe, accompanied by the organizers from the Ananda College Old Boys’ Association, visited all the tents, engaging with participants from each school. He also visited the food stalls, interacting with numerous attendees and sharing the spirit of goodwill, healthy competition, and camaraderie fostered at the event.
Joining Ambassador Samarasinghe were Deputy Permanent Representative Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, and Minister (Military Advisor) Brigadier Sumal Wickramasekara from the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York as well as the Third Secretary from the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington D.C Tharaka Dissanayake.
Johan Fernando, son of former Minister Johnston Fernando, was arrested yesterday (30) by the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID).
According to police, the arrest follows investigations into several allegations, including the alleged misuse of a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, and other vehicles.
Chairman of the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha, controlled by the SJB, has been accused of assaulting the Secretary of the same local authority, following a dispute over a council project.
The injured Secretary was admitted to the District Hospital in Weththewa, Matugama, for treatment, after sustaining injuries in the alleged incident, according to reports.
Police said the incident occurred yesterday morning (30) when the Chairman arrived at the Pradeshiya Sabha premises and an argument erupted between the two over a development project. The dispute reportedly escalated, resulting in the Chairman allegedly physically assaulting the Secretary.
The Secretary has since lodged a formal complaint with the Matugama Police.
Matugama Police have launched a comprehensive investigation into the alleged assault.
Former Minister Douglas Devananda, who was arrested and remanded in connection with a firearms-related investigation, has been admitted to the Mahara Prison Hospital on medical advice.
According to police, Devananda was transferred to the prison hospital following recommendations made by doctors after assessing his health condition.
The former Minister was arrested by the CID on 26 December and later produced before the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court, which ordered that he be remanded until 09 January, 2026.
Devananda was taken into custody in connection with an investigation into an incident in which personal firearm provided to him allegedly came into the possession of an organised criminal gang. The weapon is reported to have been issued to him by the Sri Lanka Army in 2001 for personal protection during his tenure as a Minister.
According to the police, investigations have revealed that the firearm was recovered in 2019 following the interrogation of organised criminal figure Makandure Madush. Police said an inspection of the serial number confirmed that the weapon had been issued to Devananda.
The pistol was later found concealed in a forested area near a culvert in Weliweriya, according to CID sources.
Following his arrest, the CID obtained a 72-hour detention order to question Devananda further. Police also said investigations had been expanded to examine additional firearms issued to the former Minister by the Sri Lanka Army.
Accordingly, the CID has launched inquiries into 19 more firearms allegedly issued to Devananda to face the LTTE threat as part of the ongoing probe.
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