News
Two arrested for promising to send Sri Lankans to Canada illegally
Two persons have been arrested for allegedly duping Sri Lankans on the pretext of sending them to Canada via India illegally, the PTI reported Saturday (24).The accused have been identified as Mahenthiraraja (63), a resident of Sri Lanka, and Selvakulendran (56), a resident of Tamil Nadu, they said.
A case was registered at the Indira Gandhi International Airport police station on the complaint of an Inspector who stated that while he was patrolling the area near Mahipalpur picket, he came across 10 people who were suspiciously loitering there, the PTI quoted a senior police officer as having said.
When asked for their identity , they were unable to submit the same. They were then taken to the police station for verification. All of them were found to be natives of Sri Lanka. One of them Mahenthiraja was the sub-agent who was guiding the others on the directions of Selvakulendran.
They all were promised to be sent to Canada, the officer said.Later, police intercepted the location of Selvakulendran in Trichy, Tamil Nadu who was arrested, Deputy Commissioner of Police (airport) Devesh Kumar Mahla said.
During interrogation, Selvakulendran disclosed that he charged Rs 2 lakh each to send the people to Canada via Delhi. These Sri Lankan people were sent to him by his acquaintance in Sri Lanka named Vijay, the DCP said.
Two mobile phones of Mahenthiraja and two Canadian Visa stickers in the name of two of the passengers were recovered from him, while two Indian passports and two Sri Lankan passports were recovered from Selvakulendran, police said.Apart from this, nine more agents were arrested in May in separate incidents, police added.
Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.
The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.
The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.
The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.
Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.
The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)
A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)
Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.
(Straits Times)
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories
The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.
The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491
Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut
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