Latest News
Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy warships depart island
The trio of Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy warships; “HE FEI”, “WUZHISHAN” and “QILIANSHAN” which arrived in Sri Lanka on 26th August 2024, departed the island today (29th August), on successful completion of their formal visit.
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ships at the Colombo port, following naval traditions. As they departed, the warships successfully conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with
SLNS Vijayabahu. This exercise included training in communication and tactical manoeuvers, and culminated with the traditional cheer ship salute.
While the ships were in Colombo, the crew took the opportunity to visit some of the country’s tourist attractions. They also participated in various programmes designed to foster camaraderie between the two navies. Moreover, Sri Lanka Navy personnel attended briefings on the operational functions of the visiting ships.
Port calls by foreign naval ships play a crucial role in fostering collaboration among naval forces and strengthening diplomatic ties. These visits facilitate joint naval exercises and training while also allowing for the exchange of knowledge and information on unique maritime environments. This exchange is particularly beneficial in addressing shared maritime challenges.
It has been reported that the former Superintendent of the Boossa Prison S Dhammika has been shot dead by an unidentified gunman in Akmeemana.
The Prime Minister’s Office strongly condemns the fraudulent cryptocurrency scam advertisements currently being promoted on Facebook and Instagram, falsely featuring Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and other prominent Sri Lankan figures. These deceptive ads, operated by foreign entities, aim to mislead the public and exploit the trust associated with well-known personalities.
It has come to our attention that these scam campaigns, originating from fraudulent accounts based in Lithuania, are actively targeting Facebook users in Sri Lanka.
Similar ads have recently featured Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Minister of Science and Technology MP Chrishantha Abeysena, and well-known journalists Amantha Perera and Sunanda Deshapriya, as well as other Sri Lankan public figures in previous instances.
Public Advisory
We urge citizens to exercise extreme caution when encountering online advertisements promoting cryptocurrency investments, particularly those falsely claiming endorsements from government officials and public figures. No government official or ministry has endorsed any cryptocurrency investment scheme.
Additionally, despite reports and removal requests, variations of these scams continue to appear on social media platforms, highlighting serious concerns about the inability of Facebook to curb fraudulent advertising effectively. We call upon Meta (Facebook’s parent company) to take immediate and stronger action to prevent the spread of these deceptive campaigns and safeguard Sri Lankan users from financial fraud.
How to Protect Yourself:
• Do not engage with or click on suspicious ads claiming endorsements from public figures.
• Report fraudulent advertisements directly on Facebook and Instagram.
• Verify all financial opportunities through legitimate sources before investing.
The Prime Minister’s Office remains committed to protecting the public from online fraud and will continue working with relevant authorities to address this growing issue. We urge media organizations and digital platforms to act responsibly in curbing the spread of misinformation and scams.
For official government updates, please refer to the Prime Minister’s Office’s official website and social media channels.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Many people in and around the Italian city of Naples have spent the night on the streets and in their cars after an earthquake shook buildings and brought rubble crashing down.
Italian seismologists said the 4.4 magnitude tremor struck at 01:25 local time on Thursday (00:25 GMT) at a shallow depth of three kilometres (two miles). The US Geological Survey measured it as a 4.2 tremor 10km deep.
Power supply in parts of Naples was disrupted.
In the nearby town of Pozzuoli, close to the quake’s epicentre, one injured person was pulled from the rubble of a partially collapsed house.
Naples sits on the Phlegraean Fields, a volcanic basin that makes the area in southern Italy prone to quakes.
Thursday’s earthquake was felt in several areas of the Campania region, Italian media reported. The tremor was followed by at least two weaker aftershocks.
People have been seen leaving their homes and gathering on the streets of Naples, fearing more tremors.
Photos later emerged showing one damaged house and a car with a smashed windscreen.
A rescue co-ordination centre has been set up to assess the damage.
Schools in Pozzuoli and two nearby neighbourhoods will be closed on Thursday so building stability checks can be carried out, the Corriere Della Sera newspaper reported.
-
News6 days agoPrivate tuition, etc., for O/L students suspended until the end of exam
-
Features7 days agoShyam Selvadurai and his exploration of Yasodhara’s story
-
Editorial5 days agoRanil roasted in London
-
Latest News5 days agoS. Thomas’ beat Royal by five wickets in the 146th Battle of the Blues
-
News6 days agoTeachers’ union calls for action against late-night WhatsApp homework
-
Editorial7 days agoHeroes and villains
-
Features5 days agoThe JVP insurrection of 1971 as I saw it as GA Ampara
-
Opinion4 days agoInsulting SL armed forces