News
Rs 32.8 mn and 150 grams of gold jewellery found hidden in their car
Intelligence cop among five nabbed by STF in late night swoop at Devinuwara
A police constable, attached to the Western Province Intelligence Unit, is among five individuals arrested with over Rs. 32 million in cash and gold jewellery in a late-night raid conducted by the Police Special Task Force (STF) in the Devinuwara area, police confirmed yesterday.
The raid was carried out on Thursday night (April 17) by STF commandos from the Dondra camp during a routine mobile patrol on the Dondra-Hummana road. Officers stopped a suspicious vehicle and, upon searching it, discovered Rs. 32,840,000 in cash hidden in the rear of the car, along with approximately 150 grams of gold jewellery.
The driver of the car was identified as a police constable serving in the Western Province Intelligence Headquarters. He told officers that he had been attending a party with friends in his hometown of Weraduwa, Matara, and was dropping them off in Dondra when they were stopped.
The constable further claimed the cash belonged to his sister, who resides overseas. However, STF officials reported inconsistencies in the suspects’ statements, raising suspicion. Investigations also revealed that the vehicle is registered under the name of a woman from Denipitiya, a relative of the constable.
The other four suspects, all males between the ages of 45 and 50, are residents of Dondra, Matara Weraduwa, Udupeekkewella, and Kelaniya. All five were scheduled to be produced before the Matara Magistrate’s Court.The Police Narcotics Bureau has taken over the investigation as authorities probe the origin of the funds and the possible links to illegal activities.
The Indian Navy Ship (INS) NIREEKSHAK arrived in Sri Lanka for Operational Turnaround (OTR) and a training visit on 21 Apr 26.
The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship at the port of Colombo in accordance with time-honoured naval traditions.
Commanded by, Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi, this Diving Support Vessel is set to conduct a training programme with the diving professionals of the Sri Lanka Navy.
The crew is also scheduled to participate in several activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy and visit some tourist attractions within the country.
Latest News
Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 21 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 21 April 2026
Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Northcentral, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities
Two High Commissioners, three Ambassadors and an Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (20).
The ceremony, held at 10.00 a.m., followed the formal order of precedence, with the envoys representing Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Luxembourg, the Holy See, Pakistan and Kuwait.
Accordingly, diplomats who presented their credentials were:
01. Vincent Sumale, High Commissioner-designate of Papua New Guinea (Based in New Delhi)
02. Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa, Ambassador-designate of Somalia (Based in New Delhi)
03. Christian Biever, Ambassador-designate of Luxembourg (Based in New Delhi)
04. Monsignor Andrzej Józwowicz, Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See
05. Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer, High Commissioner-designate of Pakistan
06. Saleh Mubarak Al-Sarawi, Ambassador-designate of Kuwait
Following the presentation of credentials, the President engaged in a cordial discussion with them. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also in attendance.
INS NIREEKSHAK makes port call in Colombo
Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts
US, Iran exchange threats as fragile ceasefire set to expire
Six Foreign Envoys Present Credentials to President Dissanayake
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Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm
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