The Commissioner General of Elections, Saman C Rathnakya has announced that as at 4:15pm on 7th of March, 18 political parties and 57 independent groups have placed deposits to contest 168 local authorities at the forthcoming LA election.

Acceptance of deposits commenced on 3rd of March and will end at 12:00 noon on March 19.

Bought Rs. 0.5 million worth of gold jewellery in Kalutara

By Hemanta Randunu

Investigators suspect that Ishara Sewwandi, one of the main suspects in audacious killing of underworld gang leader Ganemulle Sanjeewa as he stood in the dock of a magistrate court at Hulftsdorp recently, may have fled to India by boat.

Authorities have searched nearly 200 locations where the suspect was reported to be hiding, but have so far been unable to find any trace of her.

The police state that tracking Ishara Sewwandi has been difficult since she has stopped using her mobile phone, making it impossible to gather any leads on her whereabouts.

Two days after the killing, Ishara Sewwandi reportedly travelled to the Kalutara area, where she purchased gold jewellery worth approximately Rs. 500,000 from a jewellery store. However, no significant information about her movements has been obtained since then. Gold and especially gold jewellery is much in demand in India.

Police now strongly suspect that the suspect may have escaped the country by boat via the southern coastal region.

By Norman Palihawadane

Legal action will be taken against anyone found assisting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon in evading arrest, Police Media Spokesman, SSP Buddhika Manathunga, warned on Thursday.

A warrant has been issued for Tennakoon’s arrest, and authorities have made it clear that any individual aiding him will also be held accountable under the law.

Investigations have so far found no evidence suggesting that Tennakoon has left the country, and a travel ban has been imposed to prevent him from fleeing abroad. Multiple police teams have been deployed to track him down, while the public has been urged to provide any information regarding his whereabouts to the CID.

“He is currently evading the law, and authorities will proceed with his arrest under the same legal procedures applicable to any suspect failing to comply with a court order,” SSP Manathunga stated.

Meanwhile, police have reported a surge in gun violence, with 19 shooting incidents recorded between January and 5 March this year. Of these, 12 were linked to organised criminal gangs, while seven stemmed from personal disputes.

A total of 68 suspects have been arrested, and law enforcement has recovered six T-56 assault rifles, two pistols, and five other firearms used in these crimes. Additionally, authorities have seized eight motorcycles, two cars, a van, and two three-wheelers that were used in recent shootings.