News

Ranil, Dinesh and several ex-ministers still mum on sub-standard drug imports

Published

1 year ago

2024/12/1

By A.J.A. Abeynayake

Five prominent political figures, including former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, have yet to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to provide statements regarding the distribution of substandard medicine to government hospitals, despite a court directive. This was disclosed at the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court on Friday (29).

Representatives from the Attorney General’s Department said that Maligakanda Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrama had directed the CID to record statements from 18 former Cabinet Ministers concerning the case.

Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, informed the court that former President Wickremesinghe, former Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and former Ministers Tiran Alles, Susil Premajayantha, and Mahinda Amaraweera have not complied with the directive.

The CID has already obtained statements from 15 other former ministers, which were compiled into a report and submitted to the court. The magistrate reiterated the necessity of obtaining statements from the remaining ministers and requested a comprehensive report on the progress.

All 12 defendants in the case, including former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, were present in court. The first suspect, Sugath Janaka Fernando, also known as ‘Aruna Deepthi’, the owner of the company accused of using forged documents to import substandard intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), was produced by prison officials.

A request for bail on behalf of Fernando was denied by the magistrate, who ordered his remand until December 13.The remaining 11 suspects were granted bail and instructed to reappear in court on February 21, 2025.

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Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut

Published

45 mins ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lankan leopard cubs can be found at the Wild Africa exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (Straits Times)

Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.

The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.

The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.

The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.

Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.

The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

*Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)*

A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)

Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.

(Straits Times)

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories

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Sri Lanka Navy seize multi day fishing craft suspected of smuggling narcotics

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.

The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

19 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 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, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala 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