News
Former soldier and underworld assassin killed in shoot-out with STF
By Hemantha Randunu and Amila Sampath
Nuwan Lakshitha, a former soldier and notorious underworld assassin, died on Wednesday (28), in a confrontation with the Special Task Force (STF).
Lakshitha, implicated in the recent killing of Hettiarachchige Don Sujith, known as Ukkuwa and brother-in-law of criminal gang leader Welle Saranga, was found hiding in a chena in Andigama, Suriyawewa.
During the STF’s attempt to apprehend him, Lakshitha opened fire, prompting a retaliatory response that led to his death. An STF official sustained injuries in the exchange.
Lakshitha, armed with a revolver, was identified as the individual who had ridden the motorcycle used by the assailant responsible for Ukkuwa’s murder in Mahabage. The shooter apprehended by the STF a few days earlier had provided information leading to Lakshitha’s location.
A 45-year-old, Lakshitha had served in the Gemunu Regiment since 1999, concluding his 25-year military service just a few months ago. Investigations revealed his involvement in criminal activities even during his active duty.
Notably, the other two suspects linked to Ukkuwa’s murder also have military backgrounds, with the shooter currently serving in Batticaloa. The motive behind Ukkuwa’s killing was reportedly a prolonged feud between Welle Saranga and underworld kingpin Dubai Nipuna. The three perpetrators carried out the murder for a sum of 300,000 rupees.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to award the contract for printing and supplying vehicle number plates for the Department of Motor Traffic for a period of five (5) years to M/s South Asian Technologies based on the recommendations of the High-Level Standing Procurement Committee and the Procurement Appeal Board.
The National Lotteries board has been established subject to the Finance Act No. 11 of 1963. Having identified the requirement of amending that act which was imposed around 62 years to cater the current requirements of the lottery market, the Cabinet of Mnisters at their meeting held on 14.02.2017 granted approval to draft a new bill for the purpose.
Accordingly, the National Lotteries Board has recognized further amendments to be performed to the fundamental draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsmen.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the
resolution furnished by the President in his office as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to direct the Legal Draftsmen to finalize the formulation of the draft bill for the National Lotteries Board as soon as possible including the proposed new amendments as well.
The Werahara office of the Department of Motor Traffic performs issuance of temporary driving licenses in this country based on the driving licenses issued overseas, and measures have been initiated to render the service from a service window of the Department of Motor Traffic established at the Bandaranayake International Airport from 03.08.2025.
The fees charged for issuing temporary driving licenses have been published in Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 prepared under the provisions of the Motor Traffic (Authority 203) Act.
But, as the fee of Rupees 2,000/- charged for the service is not sufficient, the requirement of amending the regulations has been recognized.
The regulations for introducing the revised fees have been published in the government extraordinary gazette
notification No. 2463/04 dated 17.11.2025. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to
submit the regulations to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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M/s South Asian Technologies awarded contract to supply vehicle number plates
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Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 to be amended
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