News
Welle Saranga among nine Lankan underworld figures to be brought back from Dubai
By Hemantha Randunu
Nine Sri Lankan underworld figures, including notorious drug trafficker Gamange Saranga Pradeep alias Welle Saranga, who were arrested in Dubai during a joint operation involving Dubai Police and Sri Lankan law enforcement authorities, are expected to be brought back to Sri Lanka within the next few weeks, a senior police officer said.
The arrests were made after officers of the Central Criminal Investigation Bureau and the CID provided Dubai Police with information on the suspects and their alleged criminal activities.
Welle Saranga is wanted in Sri Lanka in connection with several serious offences, including alleged murders, large-scale drug trafficking, weapons smuggling and extortion, police said.
A team, headed by Central Criminal Investigation Bureau Director SSP Kamal Ariyawansa, had travelled to Dubai to assist local authorities in an operation targeting underworld figure Lalith Kannangara. During the operation, Sri Lankan officers also shared information on Welle Saranga with Dubai Police.
Following several weeks of investigations, Dubai Police arrested Welle Saranga and eight other Sri Lankan suspects who were staying at a luxury hotel in Dubai.
Police said cocaine, heroin and other narcotics were found in the suspects’ possession at the time of their arrest.
According to police, Welle Saranga had been operating large-scale drug trafficking networks, while residing in luxury hotels in Dubai. He is also alleged to have worked with drug traffickers in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan to arrange the shipment of narcotics to Sri Lanka aboard fishing trawlers.
Police further allege that he had arranged for a boat carrying narcotics and a consignment of modern firearms, including Mini Uzi-type weapons, to be sent to Sri Lanka. The vessel was later intercepted by the Sri Lanka Navy.
Welle Saranga is also wanted over the alleged shooting to death Ivoni Sudharshani Fernando in Modara, reportedly arising from a drug-related dispute. He has also been accused of directing several other killings in Modara, Mattakkuliya, Kotahena and surrounding areas, police said.
In 2022, he was arrested by Sri Lankan police while allegedly in possession of a Russian-made automatic firearm and live ammunition.
Police have also accused him of being involved in an attack in Mattakkuliya following a drug-related dispute, during which six houses and six three-wheelers were allegedly damaged and several people seriously injured.
Meanwhile, discussions have begun between Sri Lankan authorities and Dubai Police to expedite the repatriation of Welle Saranga and the other eight suspects, the senior police officer said.
News
Cabinet aporives recruitment of Nursing Instructors for Nursing Schools under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media on Contract Basis
There are 17 nursing schools under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media including the postgraduate primary nursing school.
There are 142 vacancies in the posts of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education) as on 31.03.2026 in those schools while 24 officers are to be promoted to the special grade on 31.12.2025 owing to the vacancies existing in the post of Special
Grade Nursing Officer (Education). Therefore, the number of vacancies is to be 166.
In addition, there are 24 vacancies in the post of Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education).
Although at present action has been taken to upgrade the nursing schools to nursing colleges and upgrade the nursing diploma course to nursing degree course, no action has been taken so far to carry out recruitment for the training relevant to the appointment for the post of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education).
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to recruit retired nursing instructors and nursing instructors who served in the nursing schools belonging to the three armed forces and are retired or have resigned legitimately from service to the post of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education) on contract basis.
Latest News
Signing agreement for the establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Sri Lanka
It has been decided to establish a BIMSTEC technology transfer facility in Sri Lanka by entering into a Host Country Agreement at the second leaders’ summit of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal
Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) held in New Delhi, India, in 2008, with the objective of enhancing regional cooperation.
The relevant cooperation agreement was signed by the member countries at the 5th BIMSTEC summit on 30-03-2022 in Colombo.
The prime objective of this technology transfer facility is to provide technology, capacity building, and management of intellectual property for the micro, small, and medium-scale
enterprises of the BIMSTEC member countries.
According to the cooperation agreement, an agreement should be entered into between Sri Lanka, as the host country, and BIMSTEC Secretariat for formalizing the legal status, privileges, and immunities of the technology transfer facility.
The drafted agreement has received the relevant institutional approval and legal clearance.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Science and Technology to sign the proposed agreement.
News
The cabinet approves agreement on mutual legal cooperation in criminal matters between the Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea
Approval has been granted at the cabinet meeting held on 11-12-2023 to sign an agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Government of Sri Lanka regarding mutual cooperation
in criminal matters.
However, according to the aforementioned approval, the relevant agreement could not be signed between both parties.
Through this agreement, opportunities will be provided
for mutual assistance to other countries in handing over judicial documents and collecting evidence for the use of criminal case matters.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution provided by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to sign an agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Government of Sri Lanka to cooperate in criminal matters.
Cabinet aporives recruitment of Nursing Instructors for Nursing Schools under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media on Contract Basis
Signing agreement for the establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Sri Lanka
The cabinet approves agreement on mutual legal cooperation in criminal matters between the Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea
Misbah-ul-Haq resigns as Pakistan selector after Test squad upheaval
Amendment of the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance No. 3 of 1897
Cabinet approves donation of USD One Million to the Government of Nepal
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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