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Former soldier and underworld assassin killed in shoot-out with STF

Published

3 years ago

2024/02/29

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.

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Related Topics:Former soldier and underworld assassin killed in shoot-out with STF Nuwan Lakshitha Sri Lankan Underworld

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Cabinet aporives recruitment of Nursing Instructors for Nursing Schools under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media on Contract Basis

Published

6 hours ago

2026/09/1

Priyan

There are 17 nursing schools under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media including the postgraduate primary nursing school.

There are 142 vacancies in the posts of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education) as on 31.03.2026 in those schools while 24 officers are to be promoted to the special grade on 31.12.2025 owing to the vacancies existing in the post of Special
Grade Nursing Officer (Education). Therefore, the number of vacancies is to be 166.

In addition, there are 24 vacancies in the post of Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education).

Although at present action has been taken to upgrade the nursing schools to nursing colleges and upgrade the nursing diploma course to nursing degree course, no action has been taken so far to carry out recruitment for the training relevant to the appointment for the post of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education).

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to recruit retired nursing instructors and nursing instructors who served in the nursing schools belonging to the three armed forces and are retired or have resigned legitimately from service to the post of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education) on contract basis.

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Signing agreement for the establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Sri Lanka

Published

6 hours ago

2026/09/1

Priyan

It has been decided to establish a BIMSTEC technology transfer facility in Sri Lanka by entering into a Host Country Agreement at the second leaders’ summit of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal
Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) held in New Delhi, India, in 2008, with the objective of enhancing regional cooperation.

The relevant cooperation agreement was signed by the member countries at the 5th BIMSTEC summit on 30-03-2022 in Colombo.
The prime objective of this technology transfer facility is to provide technology, capacity building, and management of intellectual property for the micro, small, and medium-scale
enterprises of the BIMSTEC member countries.

According to the cooperation agreement, an agreement should be entered into between Sri Lanka, as the host country, and BIMSTEC Secretariat for formalizing the legal status, privileges, and immunities of the technology transfer facility.

The drafted agreement has received the relevant institutional approval and legal clearance.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Science and Technology to sign the proposed agreement.

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The cabinet approves agreement on mutual legal cooperation in criminal matters between the Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea

Published

6 hours ago

2026/09/1

Priyan

Approval has been granted at the cabinet meeting held on 11-12-2023 to sign an agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Government of Sri Lanka regarding mutual cooperation
in criminal matters.

However, according to the aforementioned approval, the relevant agreement could not be signed between both parties.

Through this agreement, opportunities will be provided
for mutual assistance to other countries in handing over judicial documents and collecting evidence for the use of criminal case matters.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution provided by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to sign an agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Government of Sri Lanka to cooperate in criminal matters.