News
Army personnel held in weapons transportation probe
AG orders probe on Police Spokesman
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The police have taken two army personnel into custody in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged transportation of a stock of weapons to Pitipana, Homagama during the height of the covid-19 epidemic.
Police spokesman and attorney-at-law SSP Jaliya Senaratne said so in response to a query raised during hastily arranged media conference at the police headquarters yesterday.
SSP Senaratne said that the CID had detained two army personnel and more arrests were likely depending on the investigation.
Asked whether the weapons belonged to the LTTE and the number of weapons, SSP Senaratne said that they were inquiring into the origin of the weapons and why they were moved to Colombo. Out of the smuggled lethal haul 13 T 56 assault rifles and one T 81 weapon had been recovered so far, the police official said, explaining the progress made by investigators.
Among those who had been so far arrested in connection with the high profile investigation included Sub Inspector of Police attached to the Special Task Force (STF) and print media journalist Prasad Abeywickrema. SSP Senaratne alleged that the journalist had abused his media accreditation to facilitate the transportation of weapons to Colombo.
The police spokesman said that the ongoing investigation hadn’t revealed the involvement of any other journalist in the alleged transportation of weapons.
SSP Senaratne said that the police commando had been arrested on a charge of aiding and abetting drug dealers. According to him, the Officer-in-Charge of Intelligence and Special Operations of the STF detachment in Mannar had been arrested on Tuesday night (18).
The police spokesman explained that investigations-the transportation of weapons to Colombo and the arrest of police commando were separate cases though being carried out as part of the overall crackdown on the underworld.
The police spokesman released a long list of recoveries and detections made in the recent past.
The Island sought the police spokesman’s views on Justice Minister Ali Sabry PC’s accusation pertaining to direct nexus between the lawbreakers and four state institutions-the police, the prisons, the Government Analyst’s Department and the Registrars of courts. Asked whether the police could explain law enforcement and other government personnel dealing in heroin, SSP Senaratne claimed that the case involving PNB personnel as well as the arrest of Government Analyst’s Department personnel were isolated cases.
Senaratne said that it wouldn’t be fair to target entire institutions over isolated cases.
The media raised the Attorney General Dappula de Livera raising the conduct of the OIC, Negombo and the Police Spokesman in respect of statements/claims regarding the arrest of Superintendent of Negombo Police Anuruddha Sampayo on July 2 in Kurunegala.
SSP Senaratne said that the AG had instructed Acting IGP C.D. Wickramaratne to inquire into his conduct as well as that of the Negombo OIC. The AG had disputed the Negombo OIC’s version of Sampayo’s arrest. SSP Senaratne said that he couldn’t discuss the matter as an investigation was underway. The police spokesman said that he addressed the media on the basis of information provided to him.
Coordinator to the AG, State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne told The Island that instructions were issued yesterday.
The Sri Lanka Navy rendered assistance to bring ashore an ill fisherman, who was aboard a local multi day fishing trawler on the high seas south-west of Sri Lanka, about 881 nautical miles (1631km) off Dondra. Initially, the fisherman was taken aboard a Merchant Vessel in the sea area, on being coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo. After being brought ashore today (15th October 2024), he was rushed to the National Hospital of Colombo, for medical attention.
The local multi day fishing trawler “Sun City 02” (Reg No. IMUL-A- 1671 MTR) was reported to have left the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour with 06 fishermen on 29th August 2024 on a fishing voyage. Meanwhile, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) alerted MRCC Colombo established in the Navy Headquarters that a crew member onboard the fishing trawler has developed an abdominal illness, and requested Navy’s assistance to transfer him ashore for treatment.
In the meantime, a nearby Merchant Vessel named ‘MV – CCNI Andes’ was directed to the trawler’s location to provide assistance, through the coordination of MRCC Colombo.
With the assistance of MRCC Colombo, the Merchant Vessel managed to retrieve the fisherman and he was brought to the Colombo Offshore Patrol Limit (OPL) by this morning, while administering first aid.
Following this, the Sri Lanka Navy dispatched a Fast Attack Craft (FAC), attached to the Western Naval Command, to the Colombo Offshore Patrol Limit (OPL), where they took on board the ill fisherman and brought him ashore.
The Sri Lanka Navy in coordination with MRCC Colombo continues to exemplify its dedication and unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives within Sri Lanka’s search and rescue jurisdiction, serving as a beacon of hope and security for seafarers and the fishing community.
Although, approval had been granted at the cabinet meeting held on 21-08-2024 to make remedial measures for the unfavorable effects to the fishing industry due to the considerable increase of the price of fuel, the said decision has not been implemented so far.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Agriculture, Land, Livestock , Irrigation, Fisheries and Water Resources to provide following concessions for a period of six (6) months with effect from 01-10-2024 with the objective of uplifting the economic condition of the fisheries community.
• To grant an allowance of Rs.25 per liter of diesel, subject to the maximum of rupees 300,000 per month for fishing vessel owners who utilise diesel.
• To provide “fishing industry recovery allowance” of Rs 25/- per liter of kerosene for vessel owners who obtain kerosene as a fuel, subject to a maximum of 15 liters of kerosene per day and 25 days per month.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President to reestablish the Food Policy Committee comprising of the following officers.
• Secretary to the President
• Secretary to the Prime Minister
• Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Policy Compilation, Planning and Tourism
• Secretary, Ministry of Power and Energy
• Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Land, livestock, Irrigation, Fishery and Water Resources
• Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Council, Local Government and Labour
• Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Commercial, Food Protection\, Cooperative
Development, Industry and Entrepreneurship, Development
• Ministry of Health
• Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation
• Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Wildlife, Forest Resources, Water Supply, Plantation and Community Infrastructure Facilities
The food policy committee had been established as per the cabinet decision dated 03-10- 2022.
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