News
Ex-soldier who obtained passport under different name arrested on return from Dubai
Suspect a member of Harak Kata’s gang’ – police
By Shamindra Ferdinando
A 31-year-old person recently arrested with 06 g and 400 mg of heroin has admitted that he joined an underworld organisation after leaving the army/The leader of this group is believed to be Dubai-based criminal, Wickremaratne Nadun Chinthaka alias Herath Dissanayakage Roshan Issanka better known as Harak Kata.
The Colombo Crime Division (CCD) arrested the resident of Sedawatta, Wellampitiya on 21 Oct. and obtained permission from a Magistrate to detain him till 28 Oct., pending further investigations.Investigations have revealed that the suspect had used a passport obtained under a different name to visit Dubai in March this year, a senior police headquarters official said. The official said that there was no doubt the ex-soldier visited Dubai with the knowledge of his leader. The ex-soldier has returned on Oct 11.
According to information elicited from the suspect, he had been tasked to collect money from those who owed the organisation and was widely believed to be one of its trusted men. Following his arrest investigators on Oct 26 recovered a hand grenade and a locally made pistol hidden near new Kelani Bridge in the Sedawatta area and the recovered weapons were to be produced before the Maligakanda Magistrate court yesterday.
Sources said that the government hadn’t been so far successful in convincing Dubai administration to hand over Wickremaratne Nadun Chinthaka wanted here in connection with ongoing investigations into narcotics trade and a spate of killings.Authorities here are perturbed as to how so many of our desperados have found refuge in Dubai unless there is some patronage there for those in the drug trade. Some of those who have found ready refuge there are said to be so illiterate that it is a wonder how they could even fill out a visa application form in English.
Recent criticism regarding the poor handling of the case and a botched bid to have the suspect extradited prompted the Defence Ministry to categorically deny the serious accusations.Colonel Nalin Herath said that Sri Lanka Interpol established under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was told by the United Arab Emirates of the arrest of the suspect on Aug 19 this year. According to the military official who addressed the media on behalf of the Defence Ministry, the UAE arrested the suspect consequent to a red notice issued by Sri Lanka Interpol.
Colonel Herath said that the CID in a letter dated Sept 12 requested the Defence Ministry to facilitate the extradition of the suspect. Having consulted Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne, the Defence Ministry on the following day submitted the relevant documents to the Foreign Ministry for further action, the official said.
The Foreign Ministry has sought the Attorney General’s advice in this regard on Sept. 14. Having received the Attorney General’s advice on Sept 26, the Foreign Ministry instructed the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission in UAE on Sept 03 to make representations to relevant authorities not to release the suspect, Colonel Herath said.
The official emphasised that as the Defence Ministry responded to the request made by the CID within 24 hours there couldn’t be any lapses on its part.The Defence Ministry issued the statement on Oct 07, four days after Dubai authorities released the suspect.Authoritative sources yesterday (27) said that the suspect though being ‘released’ was in Dubai. “We believe he is under surveillance and likely to remain there,” the official said.
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
