News
Dias takes over Kuala Lumpur mission after unjustified Canadian and Italian rejection
The newly appointed High Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to Malaysia Air Chief Marshal Sumangala Dias (retired) assumed duties at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Kuala Lumpur on 27 January, 2022.
The government sent him to Malaysia after Canada and Italy refused to accept his appointment based on unsubstantiated war crimes allegations directed at the Sri Lankan security forces for defeating the world’s most ruthless terrorist outfit against the wishes of the West. There wasn’t a single specific accusation against Air Marshal Dias.
Addressing the staff of the Mission, the High Commissioner-designate recalled the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries, while outlining his priorities and expectations and the need to enhance economic, political and people to people contacts between Sri Lanka and Malaysia. He specially stressed upon the duty of the High Commission to strive to find new and innovative ways to attract investments, enhance bilateral trade relations and promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination, in order to assist Sri Lanka to overcome the challenges that our motherland is currently facing.
High Commissioner-designate Air Chief Marshal Sumangala Dias was the 17th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
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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