News
Diplomatic efforts underway to bring back trawler and suspects
SL vessel intercepted with narcotics off the Maldives
The Maldives Coast Guard has seized a Lankan fishing vessel carrying a massive stock of narcotics, with a street value of over Rs. 3 billion. Five Lankan fishermen on board were arrested in what authorities believe to be one of the region’s largest recent drug interceptions.
Defence Ministry sources said that the operation had been conducted, based on intelligence shared by the Sri Lanka Navy. The vessel was found to be carrying approximately 300 kilos of heroin and an undisclosed quantity of crystal methamphetamine (also known as ICE).
Navy sources said intensified patrols in Lankan territorial waters had likely forced the traffickers to divert their route into Maldivian waters, where they were intercepted by Maldivian security forces.
The Navy confirmed that Maldivian authorities had formally informed them of the seizure and the arrests, though further details were yet to be officially released.
The Ministry of Public Security said diplomatic efforts are underway to repatriate the vessel and the suspects, while a team from the Police Narcotics Bureau was to be dispatched to the Maldives to assist in the investigations.
Preliminary inquiries have revealed that the heroin consignment originated from Pakistan and was intended for major Sri Lankan drug networks with overseas links. Security agencies suspect connections to large-scale traffickers, known by the aliases Parevi Suda and Bloemandhal Santha, both believed to be operating from overseas.
Authorities said the vessel had been disguised as a deep-sea fishing boat and was part of a wider transnational network using the Indian Ocean as a drug trafficking corridor.
by Norman Palihawadane ✍️
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Latest News
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captain
Turkiye, Pakistan agree Saudi Arabia military deployment under Mecca pact
Rumesh Tharanga among nominees announced for World Athlete of the Year 2026
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