News
Expensive mobile phone found near Ranjan’s cell
by Norman Palihawadane
A smartphone, found buried near the Special Section ‘Y’, where MP Ranjan Ramanayake and several other inmates are held in the Angunakolapelessa Prison, is worth over Rs 500,000, says Prisons Reforms State Minister Lohan Ratwatte.
Minister Ratwatte told The Island yesterday that the find was a confirmation of the suspicion that prison officers had taken bribes from the contacts of inmates to smuggle phones into the jail.
The phone was recovered following a tip-off received by the Prison Intelligence Unit
The mobile phone with no IMEI number mentioned on it had been found buried between the section ‘Y’ and the parapet wall around 11.40 a.m. during a raid, the minister said. “A Samsung J2 mobile phone was found buried between the Y ward and the prison wall. Some prison officers are believed to have helped smuggle in mobile phones for a fee from the contacts of inmates. Thereafter, we fixed CCTV cameras in the area. There is information that the prison officers are taking money to help inmates to get mobile phones at Mahara, Kalutara, Boossa, Nogembo and Welikada prisons. This racket will be brought to an end soon.”
Further investigations were being carried out and the mobile phone had been handed over to the CID for inquiries, the minister said.
Latest News
“Improve the quality of infrastructure and services provided to tourists visiting the country.” – President
President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized the necessity of providing high-quality infrastructure and services for tourists visiting Sri Lanka, as the country has gained significant international recognition as an attractive tourist destination.
Accordingly, the President instructed officials to pay special attention to this matter and take necessary actions.
President Disanayake issued these instructions during a discussion held today (17) at the Presidential Secretariat with officials from the Ministry of Tourism.
During the discussion, officials briefed the President on the budgetary allocations designated for the Ministry of Tourism and the projects being implemented under those funds.
With the tourism sector taking a new step forward, Sri Lanka aims to attract three million tourists this year. The discussion also extensively covered the utilization of these budgetary allocations for the development of essential infrastructure to support this goal.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Foreign Employment Vijitha Herath, Deputy Minister of Tourism Dr. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja, along with a group of senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, attended this discussion.
The French Navy Ship PROVENCE arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on Sunday (16 Mar 25) morning.
She was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with the time-honoured naval traditions.
The 142.20m long Destroyer is Commanded by Captain Lionel SIEGFRIED and manned by a crew of 160 members.
During the stay in the island, crew members of PROVENCE will visit some tourist hotspots in the country and the ship is scheduled to depart the island on 20 Mar.
The Court of Appeal this [17] morning dismissed the writ petition filed by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, seeking an interim injunction to prevent the execution of the arrest order issued by the Matara Magistrate’s Court against him.
Canada’s Carney makes statement by choosing Europe, not US, for first foreign trip
Cannes award-winning actress Dequenne dies at 43
“Improve the quality of infrastructure and services provided to tourists visiting the country.” – President
-
Foreign News2 days agoSearch continues in Dominican Republic for missing student Sudiksha Konanki
-
News6 days agoAlfred Duraiappa’s relative killed in Canada shooting
-
Features5 days agoRichard de Zoysa at 67
-
Editorial7 days agoGhosts refusing to fade away
-
Midweek Review6 days agoRanil in Head-to-Head controversy
-
Features5 days agoSL Navy helping save kidneys
-
Features7 days agoThe Gypsies…one year at a time
-
News3 days agoDPMC unveils brand-new Bajaj three-wheeler