News
Police bust illegally assembled vehicle racket, arrest eight members of organised gangs
Eight persons, involved in a large-scale racket in which nearly 100 illegally assembled luxury vehicles were sold at low prices and later stolen and resold, have been arrested by the Peliyagoda Crimes Division on Saturday (04).
Police said the organised gang had been operating the scam for a considerable period by selling vehicles, lacking proper registration documents, to bargain hunters, at rock bottom prices.
Investigations revealed that the suspects had secretly installed GPS tracking devices in the vehicles to identify where they were parked after the sale. The gang later used duplicate keys to steal the vehicles and resell them to other buyers.
So far, 25 such vehicles have been taken into custody by investigators, while nearly 75 more are expected to be recovered during the ongoing probe.
According to police, the suspects had obtained unregistered vehicles, vehicles whose owners were unable to continue leasing payments, as well as assembled vehicles and those allegedly brought into the country in violation of customs regulations.
Police have obtained court permission to detain and question three suspects, including the alleged mastermind behind the racket, while the remaining five suspects have been produced before court and remanded.
The suspects are residents of Buttala, Moneragala, Mahiyangana, Kandy, Ja-Ela and Nittambuwa.
Police urged members of the public, who may have fallen victim to the racket, to lodge complaints with the Peliyagoda Crimes Division.
by Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randunu
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 13 April 2026, valid for 14 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 12 April 2026, valid for 13 April 2026.
Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon.
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm
Salt and Patidar power RCB past Mumbai Indians
Prasidh, Buttler set up comfortable win for Gujarat Titans
Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces.
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News2 days agoCEB orders temporary shutdown of large rooftop solar systems
-
News5 days agoAG: Coal procurement full of irregularities
-
Business4 days agoIsraeli attack on Lebanon triggers local stock market volatility
-
Business5 days agoHayleys Mobility introduces Premium OMODA C9 PHEV
-
Business4 days agoHNB Assurance marks 25 years with strategic transformation to ‘HNB Life’
-
Features2 days agoFrom Royal College Platoon to National Cadet Corps: 145 years of discipline, leadership, and modern challenges
-
Sports5 days agoDS to face St. Anthony’s in ‘Bridges of Brotherhood’ cricket encounter
-
News6 days agoAKD admits import of substandard coal, blames technicalities and supplier