News
Dubai-based ‘dealer’ behind shipment of over 431 kilos of heroin, ICE ; Iranian link bared
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) conducting investigations following the detection of over 431 kg of heroin and ICE (crystal methamphetamine) off the Southern coast last month believes that both shipments were arranged by a Dubai-based gang. The value of the consignments of narcotics is believed to be Rs. 9.5 bn.
“The Navy executed an operation that led to the recovery of two consignments of narcotics that had been transferred from an Iranian vessel to local fishing trawlers,” a senior investigator told The Island.
According to him, the interrogation of suspects clearly indicated the direct involvement of a Dubai-based person in arranging quite a significant transfer of narcotics through the Iranian link.
The official said that the first detection had been made 292 nautical miles south of Dondra on the night of Oct 19 and the second detection 91 nautical miles west of Galle on the evening of the following day. The Navy carried out the first operation on the basis of intelligence that had been received from the State Intelligence Service (SIS) whereas the PNB provided information that led to the second detection, the official said.The official said that the narcotics detected on Oct 19 and 20th were handed over to the PNB on Oct 24 and Oct 22, respectively.
Navy headquarters said that SLNS Vijayabahu (formerly USCGC Douglas Munro) carried out the operation off Dondra whereas SLCG Samudraraksha (one of the 30 meter long brand new Fast Patrol Vessels donated by Japan in July 2018) was deployed for the operation west of Galle. In 2005, Sri Lanka took delivery of three large Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) from the US. SLNS Vijayabahu commissioned in Nov 2022 is the latest addition.
Of the six persons taken into custody west of Galle, one had escaped before the SLCG handed over the suspects to the PNB along with over 212 kgs of heroin and ICE, an authoritative official said, adding that law enforcement authorities were able to arrest the escapee. The police have apprehended him on Nov 01 while hiding at Weerapana, Opatha. At the time, the police swooped down on the fugitive, his wife and a Buddhist monk were with him.
“In addition to the six persons now under investigation, we took four more persons into custody,” the official said, adding that five others were arrested from the fishing trawler intercepted off Dondra.
The investigator identified the persons in custody as residents of Kudawella, Tissamaharama, Kottegoda, Mamadala and Dondra aged between 26 and 53.
The Island also raised with authoritative officials the status of the current investigation and preparations to face top class legal challenge against the backdrop of the acquittal and discharge of five persons indicted at the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar for the possession of nearly 197kgs of heroin several months ago. Since then the AG has moved the Supreme Court against the decision of the Trial-at-Bar.
They explained the remedial measures taken by the Attorney General’s Department and the PNB to educate the Navy regarding the procedures and other related matters following the Trial-at-Bar ruling on April 06, 2023 that the prosecution failed to prove the charges against the accused beyond reasonable doubt. The Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar Bench comprising HC judges Adithya Patabendige, Manjula Thilakaratne and Mahesh Weeraman held that there were serious contradictions in the evidence led by the prosecution.
The trawler carrying heroin manned by five member crew was intercepted by SLNS Sagara in international waters in April 2019.A senior SLN official told The Island that the consequences of the acquittal and discharge of persons taken into custody by the crew of SLNS Sagara received their attention. The SLN and the police said that they were keen to ensure the cases proceeded without an issue.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
