News
Killer made three overseas calls while fleeing
By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randunu
Colombo Crime Division sources said that the assassin who gunned down underworld gangster Ganemulle Sanjeewa had made three calls abroad while fleeing to Kalpitiya after the killing.
The calls had been made to three Lankan underworld characters known as Kehelbaddara Pathme, Commando Salintha and Achintha living overseas, police said.
The suspect identified as Samindu Dilshan Piyumanga Kandanaarachchi, a resident of Maharagama, has told the investigators that he had carried out the contract killing for a fee of Rs 15 million. During the preparation period he had stayed at an inn in Kaduwela, where a forged Bar Association of Sri Lanka identity card was delivered by the contractors. The van used to escape from Colombo to Kalpitiya and his passage from there to India, too, had been arranged by them, CCD sources said.
When contacted for comment Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga said that the mobile phone of the suspect had been taken into police custody and investigators were analysing the call details extracted from it.
SSP Manatunga said that the gunman had used several names. “It is evident that the suspect was using several aliases, along with several identification cards. At first instance he has appeared as Mohammad Aslam Sherifdeen and later as Samindu Dilshan Piyumanga Kandanaarachchi,” Manatunga said, adding that the suspect who was using a lawyer’s identification document had also used the name Kodikarage Kasun Prabath Nissanka.
Meanwhile, Keselwatte police said the remains of Sanjeewa Kumara Saman Rathna alias Ganemulle Sanjeewa were lying at the police morgue. His wife is living in Sri Lanka.
The Police Headquarters yesterday sought public assistance to apprehend the woman who had assisted the murderer of Sanjeewa.
The woman involved in the murder has been identified as 25-year-old Pinpura Dewage Ishara Sewwandi, a resident of No 243/01, Negombo Road, Jaya Mawatha in Katuwellegama. Her NIC number (995892480V) and two pictures were released to the media by the police headquarters.
The Acting IGP has decided to provide a monetary reward for anyone who will help find the wanted woman.
Information about the wanted suspect can be conveyed to the police via the hotlines 071 – 8591727 or 071 – 8591735.
The Sri Lanka Navy seized three Indian fishing boats and apprehended 10 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, during a special operation conducted in the sea area north of Mannar and off the Delft Island in the dark hours of 19 Feb 25.
The Indian fishing boat, together with 04 fishermen aboard, held by the North Central Naval Command was brought to the Talaimannar Pier and they will be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar for legal action. Meanwhile the 02 Indian fishing boats and 06 fishermen held by the Northern Naval Command were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for legal proceedings.
Including the recent operation, the Navy has held 13 Indian fishing boats and apprehended 99 Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters, thus far in 2025.
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal submitted by the Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody to proceed with the establishment of two solar power plants capable of producing 50 megawatts and 70 megawatts at Sampur, Trincomalee, as a joint venture between Sri Lanka and India.
Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, said yesterday (20) that an agreement had been reached between the governments of Sri Lanka and India to set up those solar power plants in two phases—50 megawatts in the first stage and 70 megawatts in the second stage. The project will be undertaken as a joint venture between the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and India’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) under a construction, ownership, and operation model.
He noted that the proposed 50 MW solar power project would be implemented by Trincomalee Power Company Ltd, a partnership between the CEB and NTPC to develop the previously planned coal power project at Sampur.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to take the necessary steps to advance the project’s implementation, the Cabinet Spokesman said.
by Sujeewa Thathsara
The Health Professionals’ Association has announced plans to take strong professional action unless the recent government decision to reduce overtime and leave entitlements for full-time and part-time medical and nursing staff.
This ultimatum came during a meeting held in Colombo on Feb 19, where several health workers’ unions gathered to discuss the implications of the budgetary changes.
Ravi Kumudesh, President of the Health Professionals’ Association, said that if the authorities failed to provide fair solutions soon, they would be compelled to launch a strike.
“We have given the Health Minister seven days to engage in meaningful discussions and resolve these issues,” Kumudesh said, highlighting the sacrifices health professionals made, working around the clock to deliver essential services.
The Joint Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine (JCPSM) also expressed concern over the budget’s impact on health sector employees.
Meanwhile, other professional unions have also voiced their dissatisfaction with the budget. Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thera, President of the Association of Education Professionals, pointed out that the expected salary increases for schoolteachers and principals had not been granted.
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