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2,090 kilos of ganja headed to SL seized in Madurai, Thoothukudi districts

In a major haul, Madurai City Police have seized 2,090 kg of ganja near Sattankulam in Thoothu-kudi district, which was being smuggled from Andhra Pradesh since Tuesday night. The narcotic substance was on its way to Sri Lanka, The Hindu has reported.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Madurai North) B.K. Arvind said Madurai City Police were on a hunt for two ganja peddlers, identified as Rajkumar and Jayakumar.Acting on a tip-off, a team of police from Keeraithurai checked vehicles on the Ring Road and intercepted a car. The police team found 40 kg of ganja in the vehicle, and arrested P. Rajkumar (33) of Ellis Nagar.
During interogation, he said that a huge stock of 2,000 kg of ganja was kept in a farm near Sattankulam.The police team, led by Inspector G. Pethuraj, raided the farm and found the contraband kept in a pick-up van.
The police also rounded up five others, identified as K. Sukumaran (27) of Jeeva Nagar, R. Raja (33), P. Sudalaimani (21), M. Maheshkumar (29) and M. Muthuraj (26), all from Thoothukudi.
The police found that Jayakumar made arrangements to bring in the ganja from Andhra Pradesh and was selling it in the coastal areas of Thoothukudi thorugh one Aaron. They wre also trying to smuggle the narcotic substance to Sri Lanka.
The police are on the lookout for Jayakumar and Aaron.Later, the police found a lorry, in which 50 kg of ganja was kept.Besides, the three vehicles, the police also seized eight mobile phones, one modem and ?25,000. They have booked a case under the provisions of the Nacroctics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. – The Hindu
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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.
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.
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Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]
News
RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.
Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.
Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.
In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.
Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.
The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.
The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.
He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.
According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.
Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.
However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.
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