News
Heroin haul transported on 50-million-rupee contract
Investigations have revealed that the 161-kilo heroin consignment, with a street value of over Rs. 4 billion, seized in the deep seas south of Sri Lanka, was transported to the country under a 50-million-rupee contract.
Authorities yesterday said that an advance payment of Rs. 3 million had, initially, been received for transporting the narcotics, with the remaining amount to be paid later.
The drug shipment had been handed over from an Iranian vessel, in deep waters south of Sri Lanka, and was being transported in a trawler, belonging to a fish trader from the Matara area, when it was intercepted by the Navy.
The individual, who had reportedly accepted the contract to bring the narcotics ashore, has gone missing, and extensive investigations are underway to trace and arrest him.
Four suspects involved in transporting the consignment from the deep sea towards the Matara coast aboard the trawler were taken into custody by the Navy.
Acting on intelligence, the Navy intercepted the vessel on Thursday (16). The heroin was found concealed in six large fish tanks in 161 one-kilo packets.
The vessel carrying the drugs was brought to the Dikkowita Harbour yesterday. Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara also visited the site to inspect the seizure.
The source of the narcotics has not yet been identified.The arrested suspects and the seized drugs have been handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau, with further investigations being conducted under the direction of DIG Ashoka Dharmasena.
By Norman Palihawadane, Hemantha
Randunu and Chaminda Silva
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill to amend the State Mortgage and Investment Bank Law No. 13 of 1975
By Cabinet decision dated 2025-12-01, policy approval was granted to amend the definition of the term “animal” in the Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 by including, pigs, goats, and sheep, in addition to cattle and buffaloes, within the interpretation section of the act.
In accordance with the said approval, the Legal Draftsman has drafted an Amended Bill in all three languages, and the clearance of the Attorney General has also been obtained.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the
resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to publish the draft Amendment Bill in the Government Gazette and thereafter to submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
News
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
The Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre, comprising 11 floors, has been constructed with the assistance of the Government of India with the objective of serving as a hub for cultural activities in Sri Lanka and expanding bilateral cooperation for the promotion, preservation, and fostering the cultural heritage of Jaffna.
In accordance with the approval granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 2022-02-21, a Joint Management Committee has been appointed to make decisions relating to the affairs of the said cultural centre, in terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed for the operation of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre.
According to the provisions of the aforementioned MOU, upon completion of the construction of the project, the cultural centre should be transferred to the Jaffna Municipal Council through the Government of Sri Lanka.
Following such transfer, the relevant parties have reached an agreement to establish a ‘trust’ for carrying out the management activities of the centre. The Attorney General’s clearance has been received for the draft trust deed prepared for that purpose.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to establish the trust to continue the management activities of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
State Mortgage and Investment Bank Law No. 13 of 1975 to be amended
Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 amended
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
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