News
Espionage case involving Lankan and Pakistani: An Indian arrested
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested an accused in an espionage case involving a Sri Lankan and a Pakistani national. The accused, Nuruddin alias Rafi, had absconded after jumping bail, the Indian media reported on Wednesday (15)
Rafi was carrying a cash reward of Rs 500,000. He was arrested from the Rajiv Nagar area of Mysuru, Karnataka by the NIA team.
A house search was also conducted after his arrest and several “incriminating materials”, including mobile phones, laptop, pen drives and a drone, were recovered, said the agency in an official statement.
When Rafi failed to appear before the NIA Special Court, Chennai, after being released on bail, a non-bailable warrant was issued against him.
The court had declared him a proclaimed offender on May 7 this year.
The case is related to a terror conspiracy to carry out explosions at the US Consulate in Chennai and the Israel Embassy in Bengaluru in 2014.
According to the NIA, the conspiracy was by Sri Lankan national Muhammed Sakir Hussain and Amir Zubair Siddique, a Pakistani national employed at the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
NIA investigations have revealed that Nuruddin was involved in financing the anti-national espionage activities through high-quality fake Indian currency notes at the behest of the accused Pakistani national.The trial against Nuruddin, which was stalled after he had absconded, will now resume, the probe agency added.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Latest News
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captain
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