News
Schaffter killing still a mystery
By Norman Palihawadane
The CID is investigating an SMS believed to have been sent to the mobile phone of Brian Thomas by Dinesh Schaffter’s killer after the businessman became a victim last Thursday.
Investigations conducted by the CID have revealed that the car in which Dinesh Schaffter travelled had moved directly to the Borella Cemetery from his home on Flower Road on the day he was murdered, last Thursday (15th).
A senior CID officer said that much information had emerged over the murder of Schaffter and that the information is currently being verified.
The CID investigators said they believed that Schaffter had left home around 2.06 pm and that the crime had taken place within half an hour of his departure.
A senior CID official said that further investigations were being conducted to ascertain whether a person got into the car on the way or whether he went to the cemetery to meet someone.
When observing the location of the car entering the cemetery and stopping, it appears that someone who has a good understanding of the Borella Cemetery is involved in this crime, CID sources said.
Thomas had replied to the text message that he had no intention of meeting Schaffter. Police sources revealed that the two phones had been taken into custody by the CID and forwarded to the Computer Forensic Laboratory.
Police spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police Nihal Talduwa said that even the security camera system in Brian Thomas’ house had been examined by the CID.
Thalduwa said that statements had been obtained from 23 persons by the officers of the Organized Crime and Homicide Investigation Division of the CID.
Amon them are several members of Schaffter’s family as well as some employees of the Borella Cemetery.
The SSP said that investigations were being carried out, based on security camera footage, and phone analysis as well as eyewitness evidence.
Lakbima Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd, based in Polonnaruwa, has contributed Rs. 100 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to provide relief to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwa.
The donation cheque was handed over this morning (13) at the Presidential Secretariat to Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, by Dudley Sirisena, Chairman of the Araliya Group of Companies.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 12.30 p.m. 13 December 2025 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 13 December 2025 for Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts.
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.
Based on the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance worth Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers.
This allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to pregnant mothers who were registered at maternal clinics on or before 30 November 2025.
The distribution will take place through the Divisional Secretariat offices from 16 December, as a program of the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.
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