Shiranthi Rajapaksa's Residence Police Raid

A house located in the Dehiwala area was examined today with respect to inquiries carried out on the CSN TV Channel. It is the Financial Crimes Investigations Division that carried out the inspection.

The house situated at Mihindu Mawatha in Dehiwala was examined by the Police Financial Crimes Investigations Division based on a Court order. Our correspondent reported that a name board of Shiranthi Rajapaksa, the wife of the Former President was fitted in the house. But Police Media Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said that it had not yet been revealed as to who owns this house.

Seya Sewamani's murderer sentenced to death

The main suspect in the Seya Sewamani murder trial has been sentenced to death by the Negombo High Court after being found guilty.

 Earlier, the announcement of the verdict of the trial of Seya Sadewmi’s murder case was fixed for 15 March, by the Negombo High Court. The Genetech Molecular Diagnostics Research Institute (GMDRI), Colombo conducted all DNA tests related to the case and they handed over the last report of all their tests to the Minuwangoda Magistrate through the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Accordingly, the scientific evidence have already proved that Saman Jayalath is the main suspect and the killer of little Seya Sadewmi.

Four suspects including a schoolboy were arrested in connection with Seya's rape and murder and two of them were released earlier as their DNA samples did not match with those recovered from the body of Seya.

The third suspect in the case Dunesh Priyashantha (33) alias Kondaya was arrested by the CID on September 23 and he confessed to the rape and murder in detail on the same day. But when he was questioned by the CID continuously he had said that he did not know anything about the incident and that the crime had been committed by his elder brother. Kondaya's brother had threatened him to confess to the CID and own up to the killing since the brother had known that Kondaya would be released when his DNA was tested

Malinga attacks new selection committee

CT Sports: Sri Lanka's former Twenty20 Captain Lasith Malinga who joined the team yesterday questioned the rationale behind his selection for the T20 World Cup matches at a time he is not physically fit to play.

He alleged that the new Selection Committee included him in the squad despite repeated requests by him to do otherwise due to his knee injury.

"Why do the selectors want to pick a half-fit bowler like me when there are other fit bowlers around?" questioned Malinga.

Malinga also felt that it was unacceptable to include players who played in all matches which Sri Lanka lost and keep out the players who did not feature in those matches.

"I had written to the previous Selection Committee too asking for a replacement fast bowler as my injury could turn from bad to worse when playing. I am not certain whether I will be able to play the first match against Afghanistan on 17 March at Eden Gardens even though I have been included in the team as the 15th member" said Malinga, who finally arrived in India yesterday.

He further said his prime target is to somehow play the match on 17, and if his injury is aggravated he will step down and request a replacement for the team.

Malinga arrived later than his teammates as he underwent treatment for the injury on his left knee. He said if his 'bone bruise' continues to give him trouble he might even contemplate on retiring from international cricket after this T20 World Cup.

He also questioned as to how the selectors could pik players overnight without even properly observing their performances? The legendary player, who was sharing his thoughts while on the flight to Kolkata from Colombo, lamented that everything he does or says in good spirit is getting twisted.

Malinga has been nursing this injury since last December. He missed the two-match series against New Zealand, came back for the Asia Cup in his designated role as Twenty20 Captain, but was sidelined immediately after a match-winning display against the UAE.

In fact, Malinga has played only five of Sri Lanka's 13 T20Is since the start of 2015 in a very scattered manner: one match in May, one in July, one in August, two in November and his final game was in February 2016.

Malinga's fitness issues forced a change in leadership and Angelo Mathews was appointed captain of Sri Lanka for the World T20. But the selection panel - both the current one led by Aravinda de Silva and the previous one led by Kapila Wijegunawardene - seemed reluctant to completely rule Malinga out because of the impact he can have. He is the most successful bowler in the World T20 - 38 wickets in 31 matches. Overall he has 299 wickets in T20 cricket.

more Photos of eagle killers recovered

Police yesterday questioned the individual who published photographs on social media showing some men attempting to kill an eagle in an inhumane manner in Galle. 

Police also recovered another photograph from his mobile phone which shows that one of the suspect arrested in connection with the incident holding an eagle.

 The photograph of some men attempting to kill an eagle after peeling off its skin and cutting off its legs went viral on social media and news websites recently.   Two of the suspects were arrested by the police in connection with the incident last week and they were remanded till March 24.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa & four others granted bail by the Colombo High Court

Yoshitha Rajapakshe and four others have been granted bail by the Kaduwela Magistrate today (14).

However the bail application of Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's second son Yoshitha Rajapaksa was rejected by the court when it was called for hearing on February 29.

The five suspects including former President’s son Yoshitha Rajapaksa were arrested on alleged financial irregularities at the Carlton Sports Network on January 30 and remanded, after being presented before the Kaduwela Magistrate by the police.

The other suspects include former CSN CEO Nishantha Ranatunga and former CSN Chairman Rohan Welivita

The Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) questioned the second son of the former President, Yoshitha Rajapaksa at the Navy Headquarters regarding the reported financial irregularities on January 30.

Five bodies found inside charred van in Dankotuwa

Five unidentified charred bodies were discovered in a burned-out van on a by-road at Buthgampola, Dankotuwa yesterday. Dankotuwa Police located the vehicle on information received via the Police Emergency Hotline Service (119) last morning.

"Police said the van was completely destroyed and a number plate and a few blood stains were found near the burnt out van. It is reported that the van (WPH 1080) belongs to a privatefinance company. Its driver could be a resident of Pannala area," sources said.

The dead driver's wife was able to identity the van, but, was unable to identify whether the body of her husband was among the charred bodies found.

The body of the van driver identified as Kapila is reported to be badly burnt. According to a statement given to the Police by Kapila's wife, Kapila had given a phone call to his daughter on Thursday night and informed her (daughter) that he is going to be late as he had to go somewhere with a few of his friends.

Kapila had worked as a seizerof a leasing company and had several court cases pending.

Meanwhile, another woman has also lodged a complaint that her husband has been missing since Thursday night.

Police say that there is no concrete evidence to show that an technical defect caused the van to catch fire but, believe that the burnt out van and charred bodies may be result of underworld gang warfare.

Dankotuwa Police is currently investigating.

Bodies to be kept at Negombo General Hospital for identification

Kumudu Hettiarachchi

Marawila Magistrate Pasan Amarasena yesterday ordered police to keep the charred bodies found in a van at the Negombo General Hospital for identification. The magistrate made this order after inspecting the van in which five charred bodies were found.

Magistrate Amarasena ordered court officials to place records on the bodies found in the van and the blood stains found near the van.

He ordered those who wish to identify the bodies to appear in court on March 18.

Meanwhile, Negombo Judicial Medical Officer Rahul Haq who visited the scene yesterday, examined undigested food in parts of intestines of the deceased.

A team of officials led by Government Analyst also inspected the scene yesterday noon and started investigations.

The van rear door was opened using iron rods on the directive of JMO Haq.

Later, parts of burned bodies were removed from the van. Scene of Crimes Officials of Sri Lanka Police investigating into the incident found 12 blood stains near the van.

Investigators also found two pairs of shoes about a kilometres away from the scene.

The price of wheat flour increased

The price of a loaf of bread is scheduled to be increased by Rs. 2.50 – 5.00 due to the price of wheat flour increasing. A final decision in this regard is to be taken after 20 March by the All Island Bakery Owners' Association.

Earlier, the price of a kilogram of Prima wheat flour was increased by Rs. 7.20 from today (12). It is reported that this is in line with the increase in the tax imposed on imported wheat.

Merchant Shipping Secretariat awarded ISO 9001:2008

The shipping administration of Sri Lanka, Merchant Shipping Secretariat today (11) was awarded the ISO 9001:2008 standard certification by Sri Lanka Standard Institution Director System Certification T.G.G Dharmawardena at Merchant Shipping Secretariat office, Colombo 01.

 The institution was remarked as the first company in South Asia which obtained Standard Certification by following rules introduced by International Maritime Organization (IMO) to get in to high stand of level in maritime industry operations.

The Chief Guest of the event Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga extending his warm wishes to the team of Merchant Shipping Secretariat said the next effort is to let everything in the industry to be transparent to the entire world.

"The Secretary General has being very keen on achieving this and we have been discussing this matter of several times may be months. I would like to congratulate entire secretariat who worked really hard to get in to this level. Not only that and even the secretariat will have especially with the new web sites coming out and it will be very transparent to the entire world. This was something lacking in the past. When I took over the ministry I always said whatever we do let it be transparent to the entire world not only to our country," the Minster said.

The concluding ceremony of National Training Course on Marine and Incident Investigation was also held parallel to the event. Minster further extended his gratitude to the lectures who successfully conducted the training course.

"When we took over the ministry we always felt that we need to get guidance advice from the specialists on that industry. This is what has been lacking in the last so many years. Once again I would like to thank three of you all who have come all the way to spent time with us and educate our own industry to get into the next level,” the minister added.

The activities of the Merchant Shipping Secretariat are basically governed by the Merchant Shipping Act No.52 of 1971, Licensing of Shipping Agents act No. 10 of 1972 and also the relevant clauses of the Admiralty Jurisdiction Act No. 40 of 1983 and subsequent regulations made thereafter. Merchant Shipping Secretariat deals with ensuring safety of life and property at sea, maritime education, training, examination and certification, registration of ships under Sri Lanka flag, Licensing of Shipping Agents, Container Depot Operators, Container Terminal Operators, Container Freight Stations, Freight Forwarders or a Non Vessel Operating Common carriers and implementing provisions of all applicable international Maritime conventions and national regulations. The Director General of Merchant Shipping Ajith Seneviratne said the certificate obtained would be an advantage to confidently face audit inspections by IMO in the future.

The official website of the Merchant Shipping Secretariat on www.dgshipping.gov.lk was launched parallel to the event.

The ceremony was participated by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Dammika Ranatunga, Secretary of the Ministry of Ports and Shipping L.P.Jayampathi and other distinguished guests.