News
Dubai-based drug lord’s associate killed in confrontation with STF
By Shamindra Ferdinando
A person shot by a police commando during a search operation in the Egodauyana police area in Moratuwa on Thursday night (10) has succumbed to his injuries at the Panadura hospital.
Police identified the deceased as Thelge Dilan Sameera Pieris, 27, aka Abba.
Police claimed that Dilan had been among a group of persons surrounded by commandos at Modera Isurusiri Mawatha, Egodauyana, during ongoing operation against organised crime.
According to police headquarters, the commando wearing body armour had been shot twice in the exchange and was receiving treatment at the Panadura hospital.
Dilan had been an accused in a murder case as well as indicted in court in another case for causing grievous injuries to a woman. She had been targeted on the orders of Dilan’s Dubai-based boss identified as Salindu.
Police suspect that Dilan had been a close associate of the drug dealer and was engaged in the same despicable trade. A senior official said that the Dubai-based drug dealer had been one of the major suppliers of narcotics to Sri Lanka.
Those who had been with Dilan at the time of the incident were taken in for questioning, a senior police officer said. Subsequently, the police arrested one of them after a search of his house led to the recovery of a hand grenade. Initial investigations revealed that the 31-year-old suspect had been indicted in court over transporting a stock of heroin on the southern expressway. In addition to him, six other persons have been detained pending investigations.
Authoritative sources said that the gang had even recruited military and police personnel to be directly involved in the smuggling of heroin via sea. Sources said that the gang had been involved in a spate of events and Thursday’s operation was mounted after receiving specific information regarding Abba’s presence in the Egodauyana area.
Sources said that Salindu’s gang had been responsible for the recent failed attempt to kill an ambulance driver opposite the Panadura base hospital. Sources said that the ambulance driver believed to be also involved with the gang was accused of passing information to the police.
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
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