News
Cricket coach’s locker discovery triggers police probe into alleged T-56 rifle-linked murders
By Norman Palihawadane
Police are investigating to determine the number of individuals who may have been killed using a T-56 assault rifle discovered in the locker of a cricket coach at a prominent school in Wattala on Thursday.
The weapon, along with four magazines containing 125 live T-56 ammunitions and 18 bullets intended for 9 MM pistols, was recovered on the same day. This discovery followed the disclosure by the suspected cricket coach, informing the police about the weapon hidden in his locker within the school’s sports room.
The suspect was apprehended on Thursday morning for allegedly operating a narcotics network associated with a drug dealer named Lahiru, reportedly operating from Dubai. Both Lahiru and the accused cricket coach have ties to underworld figure Ganemulle Sanjeewa, also known as Malingamuwe Sanjeewa Kumara, a notorious member of an organized crime syndicate and an international drug trafficker currently under interrogation on a 90-day detention order.
The arrest of the cricket coach was facilitated by a tip-off received by Mahabage OIC CI Priyadarshana. According to information, the suspect had been managing money transfers and collections for various drug dealers associated with Ganemulle Sanjeewa. Sanjeewa was apprehended at Bandaranaike International Airport on September 13, 2023, while returning from Katmandu, Nepal, using a forged passport. Following his arrest, Sanjeewa’s drug network was purportedly overseen by underworld member Lahiru from Dubai.
The police received intel that the cricket coach was carrying out operations on instructions from Lahiru. The police found a Police PT kit T-shirt in the suspect cricket coach’s locker room. Authorities are searching for a female associate of the suspect cricket coach for allegedly aiding and abetting him in various criminal activities. Sanjeewa, during his time abroad, reportedly coordinated multiple crimes with local underworld gangs.
According to insider information from police sources, there is information linking Sanjeeva to about 18 alleged murders. Investigations suggest that Sanjeewa left Sri Lanka illegally by boat from Mannar. Police suspect that the recovered T-56 rifle may have been used in murders and other crimes orchestrated under Sanjeewa’s directives.
The raid was conducted by a police team led by Mahabage OIC CI Priyadarshana under the supervision of SP Prasanna de Silva and under the guidance of Kelaniya Division SSP AJYB Krishantha and Western Province Northern Range DIG Rohan Premaratne.
The suspect cricket coach is expected to be brought before the courts. Police stated their intention to seek a 90-day detention order against him for further interrogation.
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
