RataWata News | Provincial News Around the Sri Lanka

A Visit Board Search & Seizure (VBSS) course for the boarding teams of Indonesian, Malaysian and Philippine Coast Guards commenced at the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) Headquarters in Trincomalee today (16th September 2019). The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) partners with the Sri Lanka Navy in conducting this training programme. Under the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva the programme is conducted at the Training School of SBS and the opening address of the course was held with the participation of Commander Hemakumara Herath, Training Commander Special Boat Squadron Training School, Maritime Law Enforcement mentors from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime programme and a group of naval personnel. The two week-long course organized for the fifth time for maritime law enforcement agencies of member states is being held at the SBS Headquarters and it is participated by 08 Coast Guard personnel each from Indonesia a...

Sri Lanka Navy ships patrolling in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) had spotted 04 Sri Lankan multiday fishing vessels named ‘Danuji’, ‘Suba Pathum 4’, ‘Lakpriya Dehi’ and ‘Nalin 10’ engaging in fishing activities in waters belonging to the Maldives. Accordingly, the Navy held those fishing vessels along with 27 persons onboard and escorted them to the harbours of Colombo and Galle for further investigation today (16th September 2019). During further search, the Navy managed to find a small quantity of drugs (ice) in one fishing vessel. Investigations are currently underway to determine if these vessels have a connection to drug trafficking. Meanwhile, the Department of Fisheries will take onward action with regard to the stock of fish found in the vessels.

A request to extradite former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran to Sri Lanka has been handed over to the Singapore government. The Attorney General's Coordinator, State Counsel Nisara Jayaratne stated that the request for extradition has been made by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Singapore. The Foreign Ministry had forwarded this request to the Sri Lankan High Commission in Singapore.

500 projects to cover all districts have been opened from today.  It was chaired by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Steps have been taken to open a number of constructions including school buildings constructed at a cost of Rs. 10,000 million. The inauguration ceremony of Kahathuduwa Weniwelkola Sisuyodana Educational Institute will be declared open by the Prime Minister. 360 million was spent for this purpose. The total cost of the project is Rs. 65 million.

Former President of the Sri Lanka Medical Council Prof. Carlo Fonseka has passed away. Carlo Fonseka was born on March 4, 1933 at the age of 86. He was appointed as the President of the Sri Lanka Medical Council in 2012 and resigned in 2017.

A man with a firearm and two swords have been arrested in Kuliyagoda, Ambalangoda. According to information received by the Ambalangoda police. Police have seized a locally manufactured 12-bore firearm, two ammunition and two swords in the possession of a man who was riding a motorcycle. The suspect is a 30 year old resident of Kuleegoda.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe left for Maldives today on a three-day official visit. This is according to an official invitation extended by the President of the country, Ibrahim Mohammed Solly. SriLankan Airlines UL's return at 7.30 am The Prime Minister and his delegation left for Maldives on board 101, Airport reporter said. The official visit will focus on enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries as well as the global affairs of the two countries. Four MoUs to be signed between the two countries are also scheduled This includes enhancing the support of the two countries in the areas of visa granting, social security, vocational training and youth development and higher education.

An Army soldier and an Army civil servant have been arrested in Kurunegala for possessing two T-56 rifles, 10 live ammunition magazines and accessories. The Police Media Spokesman's Office stated that the suspects have been arrested at the Kurunegala-Goa Fort junction. The suspect was a 46 year old Army soldier attached to the Buttala Army Camp in Dahigamuwa, Kurunegala. Police also searched the homes of the suspects after deploying an official dog, and found another T-56 rifle, a T-56 rifle cleaning kit, an Italian-made air rifle, and parts of the equipment.

The Navy, during a search carried out on the Iranativu island, has found a large stock of beedi leaves on 01st September 2019. Accordingly, two suspicious packages washed to the Iranativu shores were recovered during a foot patrol conducted by the North Central Naval Command and found 100kg of beedi leaves in them. The seized haul of beedi leaves will be handed over to the Jaffna Customs for onward investigation. As a result of continuous naval operations, the smugglers find it difficult to sneak into the country and the Navy will continue to tighten its grip on such cativities taking place in island’s waters.

Sri Lanka Navy has rescued an Indian trawler and four fishermen who were injured in the sea off the coast of Jaffna this morning (September 1). Accordingly, the Northern Naval Command has deployed a patrol vessel for the purpose of monitoring the trawler floating on the sea. The Navy also provided refreshments to the fishermen who were tired of the rough seas. The four Indian fishermen, aged 37 to 60 years, were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector for further action in Jaffna. Further, the Navy is constantly working to provide the necessary relief to the fishermen and the fishing community who are suffering in the sea.