News
Fraud Investigation Bureau probes land grabbing racket
by Norman Palihawadane
IGP CD Wickramratne has ordered Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau to investigate a major racket where an organised group has grabbed properties from their rightful owners.The racketeers forged land deeds and used force to remove the victims, mostly belonging to the minority communities, from their properties, the police said.
A racketeer taken into custody was produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Court on Friday and remanded till 26 Sept. He was taken into custody on a special court order after an attempt to grab a shop at First Cross Street in Colombo on 22 Aug.The suspect, named S. Bandara alias Nilame has been accused of leading a group of nine others, who forcibly entered the shop in the First Street claiming that they owned the place. They chased away the shopkeeper PHMMP Vignesh after taking his mobile phones.
Following a complaint from the current owner of the shop Pettah police nabbed nine persons and produced them before Colombo High Court Judge on 25 Aug.Following an order by the court to arrest Bandara, who masterminded the incident, the police nabbed Bandara on Friday and produced before the courts.
The Pettah police nabbed nine persons Mohamed Casim Mohamed Farooq, Walawa Arachchi Gamage Sarath Wijetunga, Daniel Anthony, MK Piyasena, Gabriel Ignatius Charles alias Pradeep Charles, WWM Thilak Pushpa Kumara, SR Nissanka, Suppaiah Selvaraj and K Bandusena and produced before Colombo High Court Judge on Aug 25.
The racket had forged deeds for 147 shops, police said.In addition to the investigation by the Pettah Police, the IGP has issued orders to the CFIB to investigate the racket.
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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