Another batch of Pakistani criminals serving sentences here repatriated

Published

2 years ago

2024/10/8

by Norman Palihawadane

Fifty six Pakistani nationals serving sentences in Sri Lanka for drug-related offences were transferred to Pakistan on Sunday (06).

The transfer was carried out as per the provisions of the Prisoners Exchange Agreement No. 05 of 1995, sources said.

The transfer was facilitated by a Pakistan International Airlines flight, which departed from Bandaranaike International Airport.

The flight carried 51 male and five female prisoners, under the supervision of 64 Pakistani diplomatic officials. These prisoners will continue to serve their sentences in Pakistani prisons.

A team of 47 officers from the Prisons Department and the Emergency Response Tactical Force ensured the secure transfer of the prisoners from the Welikada Prison to the airport.

The operation was coordinated with the involvement of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Defence, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, and the Pakistani High Commission.

Prison sources said that this was the largest transfer of prisoners in the history of the Lankan Prisons Department.

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Minister of Health of the Russian Federation attends the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum

Published

36 mins ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, officially visited the Russian House in Colombo to attend the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum, where members of the Sri Lanka Russia Business Council and graduates from the Association of Sri Lankan Graduates from Socialist countries (ASLGSC) attended.

This historic gathering was graced by rectors and representatives from several world-class Russian medical institutions, including Kursk State Medical University, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, and Tver State Medical University, among others.

The forum commenced with an address by Minister Murashko, during which Russian medical graduates in attendance raised pertinent questions regarding medical and pharmaceutical sector opportunities in Sri Lanka.

Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, together with Madam Maria L. Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka & the Maldives and Director of the Russian House in Colombo, graced the occasion. Both officials expressed strong support for continued collaboration and future initiatives between the two nations.

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Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed

Published

8 hours ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:

Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage

The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.

The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.