National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa reiterated that Sanath Weerasinghe, aka Puwakkdandawe Sana, who had been arrested recently in connection with the ongoing investigations into the narcotics network, is affiliated with the National People’s Power (NPP), an accusation strongly denied by the government.
The former Minister emphasised that regardless of denials, he stood by his original claim that Sanath had been so close to the ruling party politicians in the Hambantota district they even arranged for some of the NPP leaders to visit Sanath’s home during the Local Government polls campaign. The police could easily verify my claim, Weerawansa said, acknowledging they couldn’t have been aware of his host’s affiliation with those responsible for bringing in boat loads of narcotics into the country.
The suspect, also known as Beliatte Sana, has been remanded till 09 Oct. by Tangalle Additional Magistrate Vidura
Weerakoon and police have been granted permission to question him. The Tangalle Divisional Crime Investigation Unit apprehended the suspect on 01 Oct.
Hambantota District NPP parliamentarian Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Ruwan Senarath said that there was absolutely no basis for Weerawansa’s claim. MP Senarath insisted that none of the JVP/NPP leaders had visited the suspect’s home.
The former Colombo district MP Weerawansa said that the truth couldn’t be suppressed by denying his claim. The ex-parliamentarian asked the government whether loosening of Navy patrols in the southern seas facilitated the transfer of narcotics that were recovered in Seenimodera, Tangalle, recently. The NFF leader alleged that the Navy and Coast Guard had ceased close monitoring of fisheries harbours at Beruwala and Tangalle, thereby contributing to the overall deterioration of monitoring of boats operating from those harbours.
The ex-Minister said so yesterday (05) in response to The Island queries.
The Island raised the issues at hand with Navy spokesman Commander Buddika Sampath who emphasised the deployment of vessels depended on specific intelligence, information available and threat assessments. In addition, the Coast Guard, too, is involved in the overall deployment. Referring to a spate of detections made by the Navy this year, the Navy spokesman said that they remained on alert to thwart whatever nefarious activities that crop up.
Sanath had been arrested for allegedly facilitating the transfer of a large stock of crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as ICE) and heroin from a ship to land using a fishing craft. The man who operated that boat, too, had been arrested. Sources said that Sanath had helped the boatman to evade arrest and his role came to light when the police apprehended the boat operator.
The Island also sought an explanation from the Navy spokesman regarding the successful transfer of narcotics from ship to land. Commander Sampath said that the Navy with the involvement of other relevant authorities were in the process of inquiring into that matter.
The police recovered 245 kilos of heroin and 380 kilos of crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as ICE in three trucks at Seenimodera, Tangalle. Police also recovered five brand new pistols and one T-56 assault rifle. The recovery was made following the sudden death of a person at the Tangalle Hospital. Police said that the Seenimodera detection is not connected with the detection of two container loads of chemicals in Middeniya following information elicited from those who had been extradited from Indonesia recently.
Ex-MP Weerawansa said that it would be the responsibility of the government to bring both investigations into a successful conclusion. The Middeniya detection should receive the highest priority especially since both containers had arrived at the Colombo port several weeks after the last parliamentary election and cleared in spite of specific intelligence with regard to the containers, the former parliamentarian said.
Weerawansa said that they would continue to press the government on container loads of narcotics arriving in the country and the Seenimodera ice and heroin detection.
Weerawansa said that even before the police contacted him a section of the media announced that he was asked to report to the Tangalle police on Monday morning. The NFF leader said that the government must know he couldn’t be intimidated by such tactics. At the time the government launched a media blitz over the Middeniya containers, NPP leaders never realized it was going to boomerang on them, the ex-Minister said, adding that though the two containers recovered in Middeniya hadn’t been among the 323 containers released in January this year, all those involved in that release were tarnished.
by Shamimndra Ferdinando
The event was organized by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, and the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs.
During the ceremony, ThaiPongal rituals were performed under the patronage of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. The celebration was enriched with a range of vibrant cultural performances of Hindu culture and traditions.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Environment Minister Dammika Patabedi said yesterday he had ordered an inquiry into the withdrawal of China-based Amber Adventures (Private) Ltd., from the Ambuluwawa Cable Car Project.Addressing the media, the Minister said the Environment Ministry had no direct agreement with the company, as the project was under the purview of the Board of Investment (BOI).
He said construction activities within the Ambuluwawa Environmental Zone had been suspended following complaints from environmental organisations in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. All constructions in high-risk areas, he said, had been halted pending clearance by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO).
According to the Minister, complaints had been received that construction at Ambuluwawa was continuing without NBRO clearance.
In response, the Ministry instructed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to conduct an investigation and thereafter construction activities were suspended pending a technical assessment by experts.
The Ministry of Environment subsequently ordered the immediate suspension of all construction activities within the Ambuluwawa Environmental Zone until the assessment was completed, he said, adding that work could resume if expert evaluations cleared the project.
Following the suspension, Amber Adventures (Private) Ltd,, described as the country’s first cable car venture, formally withdrew from the project, citing what it termed “regulatory obstruction and arbitrary state action.”
The company, a major Chinese investor in the project, proposed as Sri Lanka’s first cable car initiative with both Chinese and American investment, officially informed the BOI of its decision on Wednesday (14). In a letter to the BOI, the company said it had obtained all required permits and approvals in line with BOI procedures but faced repeated disruptions that resulted in significant financial losses.
Company Director Yuan Yuping warned that legal action would be pursued at the International Court of Arbitration to recover losses incurred due to the suspension of the project, citing continuous interruptions and government decisions as the cause.
Meanwhile, the Ambuluwawa Trust Board said the withdrawal of investors from the project was a major loss to the country, noting that it was regrettable that decisions had been taken without proper investigation, based on allegations by parties lacking a clear understanding of the facts.
It warned that halting a large-scale project of that nature would result in the loss of direct and indirect employment opportunities, as well as income sources for communities in the surrounding areas.
By Chaminda Silva and SK Samaranayake ✍️
Balangoda Kassapa Thero, held in Trincomalee remand prison over alleged violations of the Coastal Conservation Act, reportedly refused meals yesterday (15).
Prison authorities, however, said it could not be confirmed whether the monk’s action amounted to a hunger strike. Prison Media Spokesperson A. C. Gajanayake added that an official statement on the matter would be issued today (16).
The monk and eight others were remanded until 19 Jan by the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court over allegations of unauthorised construction of a shelter to place a Buddha statue at the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraj Viharaya. Prison sources said Thero had also declined food brought from outside.
The case follows reports to the court by the Trincomalee Harbour Police that unauthorised constructions had been carried out, despite instructions from the Court of Appeal to resolve the dispute peacefully.
by Chaminda Silva ✍️
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