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Former LTTE intelligence operative had close links with Sri Lankan underworld don Angoda Lokka- The Hindu
Former intelligence operative of the Liberation Tamil Tigers Eelam (LTTE) Satkunam alias Sabesan (47), who was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Chennai in October 2021 for alleged involvement in the smuggling of drugs and arms from Pakistan to Sri Lanka, had close links with Sri Lankan underworld don Angoda Lokka and his aides, according to investigations by the Tamil Nadu Crime Branch CID (CB-CID).
The Hindu report, dated January 12: “The CB-CID, which is investigating the death and illegal stay of Lokka in disguise at Coimbatore, recently arrested Sabesan and two others Chinnasuresh (35), also from Sri Lanka, and Soundararajan (25) of Chennai. The CB-CID team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police P. Sivakumar interrogated the trio and found they were closely associated with Lokka and his confidante Chanuka Thananayake alias Ladiya. According to investigators, Sabesan and Chinnasuresh had left Sri Lanka following crimes there and to escape from a rival gang. Lokka and Ladiya had also shifted base to India for the same reason. Lokka died under suspicious circumstances while hiding in Coimbatore as Pradeep Singh in July 2020, following which the CB-CID launched an investigation. Investigators had arrested Ladiya and T. Gopalakrishnan alias Jayaprakash, who sheltered the former in Bengaluru, in November 2021.The duo during interrogation disclosed to the CB-CID about their links with Sabesan, Chinnasuresh and Soundararajan. Prior to the CB-CID arresting the trio, the NIA had arrested Sabesan, Chinnasuresh and Soundararajan for their alleged involvement in the Vizhinjam arms case wherein six Sri Lankan nationals were arrested by the Coast Guard off Minicoy coast on March 18, 2021.
The Coast Guard had seized five AK 47 rifles, 1,000 live rounds and 300 kg of heroin from three fishing vessels. The NIA took over the investigation and later arrested Sabesan, Chinnasuresh and Soundararajan for alleged involvement. The CB-CID formally recorded the arrest of the trio when they were in judicial remand in the NIA case and later interrogated them in custody. The CB-CID suspects Lokka and Ladiya were into drugs business while hiding in India. Ladiya took over the control after the death of Lokka, said an investigator.
“Lokka and Ladiya were into drug dealing in Sri Lanka. The investigation has found out that they were doing the same from India through supporters in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu. The entire network seems to have been smuggling drugs and arms from Pakistan to Sri Lanka. Sabesan played a key role in conveying smuggled items to Sri Lanka. The money from the illegal dealings reached Lokka and Ladiya through hawala transactions operated by Jayaprakash,” the officer said.
According to the NIA, Sabesan was the key conspirator in the Vizhinjam arms case. The agency said in a release on Sabesan’s arrest that the proceeds from the arms and drugs trafficking from Pakistanto Sri Lanka was for the revival of the LTTE. It said that he organised conspiracy meetings of LTTE sympathisers in India. The CB-CID has recently recovered a pistol which Lokka’s another aide D. Sivakamasundari, an advocate from Madurai whose father is also an LTTE sympathiser, had procured for him. Sivakamasundari had buried it in a deserted area after the death of Lokka. The weapon has been sent for ballistic examination.
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
