A major drug consignment with a street value of over Rs. 200 million was seized off the Kalpitiya coast in a coordinated operation by the Navy and the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB). Investigations have revealed that the drug haul belongs to a prominent Lankan trafficker operating from India.

Five suspects, including a father and son, are now in custody. PNB chief DIG Ashoka Dharmasena said the operation had been carried out with the help of the Navy.

Authorities intercepted the boat carrying the narcotics off Kalpitiya, prompting the suspects to abandon the vessel and flee to a nearby island. Officials later secured the unmanned boat, recovering 14.8 kilos of heroin and 63.7 kilos of ‘Ice’ (crystal methamphetamine).

Police traced the suspects and arrested them.

The five suspects are currently being questioned as investigations continue, with authorities probing whether additional networks are involved in the smuggling operation.

by Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randunu

A hotel chef was arrested with 15 birds on Saturday (6) in connection with the theft of 32 exotic birds from the Dehiwala National Zoological Garden over two months ago.

The suspect, a 24-year-old resident of Nedimala, Dehiwala, was remanded.

The birds were taken into custody at the BIA while being smuggled into the country and handed to the Dehiwala Zoo for safekeeping under a court order. On 04 October, they were stolen while being in the custody of the zoo.

Police initiated investigations following a complaint filed by the Zoo authorities. The incident prompted a police investigation that eventually led to the arrest of the suspect.

Police said the probe was ongoing to determine whether any zoo employees were involved in the theft.

The investigation is being conducted under the supervision of Mount Lavinia SSP A.J. Gunasekara, with guidance from DIG Gamage Nilanta.

by Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon

A driver attached to the Kandy Four Gravets and Gangawata Korale Divisional Secretariat has been arrested for allegedly selling donated drinking water that was intended for distribution to residents displaced by the recent disaster in the Kandy District.

The suspect, identified as H.P.G.K. Lal Hapukumbura, was produced before the Kandy Chief Magistrate, who ordered that he be remanded until 09 December.

He was brought before court by Police Sergeant Jayathilaka, under the supervision of Chief Inspector Rasika Sampath Pathirana, HQI of the Kandy Police, and on the instructions of Chief Inspector Rohana Karunarathna, OIC of the Minor Complaints Division.

By Shantha Kelum Samaranayake