News

Theft of court productions in drug cases to be tackled by incinerating them, while keeping only a sample

Published

2 years ago

2024/04/25

By Saman Indrajith

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe told Parliament yesterday that an incinerator set up in Wanathawilluwa at a cost of Rs 18 million to destroy narcotic drugs would be operational from next month.

Presenting regulations under the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance for approval in Parliament, the minister said that storing and protecting narcotic substances produced before courts until the case proceedings are over had been a problem. “It is not an easy task to protect large amounts of narcotics. As we know there are many Justice Ministry employees now in prisons for stealing these court productions and selling them in the market again. As such we have amended the law enabling only a sample to be kept for judicial purposes and to destroy the rest,” Minister Rajapakshe said.

“An incinerator was set up at a land belonging to Wanathwilluwa police and arrangements have been made to incinerate 300 kilos of heroin produced before courts on the first day of the operation.”

The Minister said this when the regulations under the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance were taken up for approval in Parliament.

He said under the new regulations, the magistrate can order the seized drugs to be destroyed after obtaining a sample of the stock and other required evidence before concluding the case.

There had been environmental and safety issues because the drugs are to be incinerated at a temperature between 800 Celsius and 1,100 Celsius. These problems have been addressed. “The drugs will be destroyed under a proper procedure with the participation of the magistrate, the police, the Attorney General’s Department and the Government Analyst’s Department,” he said.

He said after the opening of the incinerator, steps would be taken to destroy the seized drugs once a month.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for all provinces of Sri Lanka

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 20 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 20 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur most places in the island 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.

News

Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan meets Prime Minister

Published

5 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

The Vice President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, who is currently on a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, held a bilateral discussion with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Sunday (19) morning at Temple Trees.

Upon his arrival at Temple Trees, the Indian Vice President was received by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. The Prime Minister also extended her congratulations to C.P. Radhakrishnan on his appointment as the Vice President of India.

During the meeting, the Vice President noted that this is his first official visit to Sri Lanka and expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his stay.

The occasion was attended by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel; Members of Parliament Dr. K. Laxman and Dr. Medha Vishram Kulkarni; Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri; and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and representing the Government of Sri Lanka the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage; Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj; Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma; Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa; and several other officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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

17 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 19 April 2026, valid for 20 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.