Magistrate Refuses To Issue Warrant Against Udayanga Weeratunga

Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne denied the request by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) of the Police, to issue a warrant on Udayanga Weeratunga.

At the hearing on July 15, the FCID requested Magistrate Jayaratne to issue a warrant through the Interpol to arrest Weeratunga who is charged with financial misappropriation.

The Magistrate had fixed July 18 (today) to consider the request by the prosecuting FCID. The request was rejected however, on grounds that the warrant issued on Weeratunga did not follow proper procedure.

The FCID had previously issued warrant on the former Ambassador to Russia via email.

Magistrate Jayaratne had also advised the FCID to issue the warrant on Weeratunga through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Weeratunga does not currently reside in the country.

The Magistrate ordered the Sri Lanka Air Force to present legal documents pertaining to the alleged misappropriation at the next hearing, fixed for September 25.

Weeratunga is alleged to have committed financial misappropriation to the tune of US$ 14 million while purchasing four Ukraine-built MIG-27 aircraft for the Sri Lanka Air Force in 2005.

FCID arrest Basil Rajapaksa

Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa was arrested by the Financial Crimes Division (FCID) of the Police this morning.

He had arrived there to record a statement this morning.He is accused of misappropriating funds belonging to the Divi Neguma Development project.

Fort Magistrate Court released Namal Rajapaksa on bail

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Namal Rajapaksa was granted bail by the Colombo Fort Magistrate this morning. 

Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne let the former President’s oldest son out on a cash bail of Rs. 50, 000 and three sureties of five lakhs. He is due before the court next on August 8.

Grenade found in Nugegoda international school

A live hand grenade was found in the swimming pool of an international school in Nugegoda this afternoon.

Police said the foreign manufactured device was recovered following information from parents and students.

The Bomb Disposal Unit of Sri Lanka Army was called in and the grenade detonated at a nearby playground.



Police are investigating how the grenade came to be at the swimming pool.

Kohuwala Police is investigating.

Lasantha Wickramatunga murder - Sergeant Major remanded

Army Sergeant Major who was arrested in connection with Lasantha Wickramatunga murder has been remanded till July 27.

CID sources said today that the arrest was made at CID headquarters when military officer  was summoned to obtain a statement over Wickrematunge’s assassination.

The military officer is attached to intelligence wing of the Sri Lanka Army.

Lasantha Wickrematunge, founding editor of the Sunday Leader newspaper was assassinated in January 2009. Initially the then government runs by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the military was blamed for the assassination.

Students clash at Jaffna University

An internal clash had erupted between two groups of students at the University of Jaffna, resulting in hospitalization of some of them yesterday (16), Police sources said.

According to the Police, four students have been hospitalized following the incident. However none of them are in serious condition.

The incident had reportedly taken place yesterday, during a ceremony organized to welcome new batch of students to the university's science faculty.

Unconfirmed reports stated that two groups of students had ended up in an altercation following a disagreement regarding a performance item which was supposed to take place during the ceremony. It has also been reported that Police protection has been provided to the Jaffna University as well as to the hostels of the assaulted students.

Meanwhile the Science Faculty of the university, where the incident had taken place, was temporarily closed until further notice, while students of the faculty have been instructed to temporarily leave their respective hostels.

Kopay Police are conducting an investigation.

Army Sergeant Arrested Over Lasantha Wickremetunge Murder

An army officer has been arrested over the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickremetunga, the police said.

The officer, identified as P. Udalagama, is attached to the army intelligence unit, the police added.

Lasantha Wickrematunge, the Chief Editor of the popular English weekly The Sunday Leader, was assassinated on 8 January 2009 by four assailants who stopped him on his way to his office on Attidiya-Mt. Lavinia road.

In May this year Army Commander Lieutenant General Crishantha de Silva was ordered by court to submit army intelligence reports related to the murder of Wickremetunga, to the CID.

In an editorial written shortly before his death, and that was published posthumously, Wickrematunge accused former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Government of intending to silence him and voiced his commitment for press freedom at the risk of his life.

Brothel raided in Mount Lavinia: 13 arrested

Thirteen women including twelve sex workers were arrested on charges of having run a brothel under the guise of an Ayurvedic massage parlour in Mount Lavinia last evening, Police said. 

They said one woman was arrested for managing the brothel. The suspects were residents of Payagala, Ambalangoda, Bandarawela, Malabe and Dambulla. They are to be produced in the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court today.