News
SJB: Who reduced fine on Raheem for smuggling?
Colombo Mayoral candidate and former SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman has called for an investigation to find out on whose instruction an original fine of Rs 22.2 million, imposed on MP Ali Sabry Raheem, found guilty of smuggling gold and mobile phones, was reduced to a fine of Rs 7.4 million.
“Ali Sabry Raheem had been voting with the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa combine from the time. He voted for the 20th Amendment to bring dual citizen
Basil Rajapaksa to Parliament. His fine should have been three times the value of the contraband, as per existing custom rules and regulations. The original number was 22.2 million rupees. But then it was announced that the MP was released on a fine of Rs 7.4 million. On whose instruction that reduction was given by the Customs officials? If not, the Custom officials should tell the country on what grounds that they had decreased the fine,” Rahuman said, adding that the fine was only a 10 percent of the value of the contraband found in the possession of MP Raheem.
Puttalam District MP Ali Sabri Raheem was nabbed by Customs officials at the BIA with 3.5 kilos of undeclared gold and stock of mobile phones and he was released, the following day, after being fined Rs 7.4 million.
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
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
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
Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut
Sri Lanka Navy seize multi day fishing craft suspected of smuggling narcotics
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