The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has taken legal action against a company in Seethawaka, Avissawella, and its Director, for producing and distributing bottled drinking water using a fake Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) mark and a false brand name.

The case was heard before the Avissawella Magistrate’s Court after CAA officers raided the company on August 21, 2026, seizing more than 8,500 bottles of water labelled “Aquachill” instead of the Ministry of Health‑approved name “Lanka Premium.” 

The seized stock included bottles in 19‑litre, 5‑litre, 1500 ml, 1000 ml, and 500 ml sizes.

When the case was called on September 04, the defendants pleaded guilty. The Court imposed a fine of Rs. 40,000 on the company and its Director, and ordered the destruction of the entire stock produced before Court as case productions. The bottles were subsequently destroyed within the Court premises.

The CAA has urged consumers to carefully check the correct brand name, date of manufacture, expiry date, and official SLS certification mark when purchasing bottled drinking water. 

Consumers with information on fraudulent or unlawful trading practices are advised to report them to the CAA via the hotline 1977. (Newswire)

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The Police Illegal Assets and Intellectual Property Investigation Unit has frozen property worth over Rs. 20 million, allegedly acquired through drug trafficking, belonging to a resident of Avissawella.

Investigations revealed that the suspect had purchased a two‑storey house and a plot of land of about nine perches in Upper Naldowa, Avissawella, using illegally earned money. 

The property was ordered inactive for seven days under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act yesterday (11 Feb), following investigations into a complaint. 

The Police Illegal Assets and Intellectual Property Investigation Unit is conducting further investigations. (Newswire)

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The government has allocated Rs. 250 million for the commencement of initial work pertaining to the extension of the Kelani Valley Railway line from Awissawella to Ratnapura.  

It has been proposed to extend the track beyond Awissavella, which is currently operative, with the objective of supplying efficient railway services and modification of public transport facilities under the modification of railway transport proposed in the budget 2025. 

The government has proposed to rebuild the Kelani Valley Railway line parallel to the previous railway track. As such, conducting a feasibility study and the preparation of a detailed plan is required for this purpose. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Acting Minister of Transport for the implementation of the relevant procurement process to select a consulting services institution for the project. (Newswire)

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A 23-year-old woman was found dead under suspicious circumstances at a hotel in Avissawella on Wednesday (Apr 10).

According to the Police, the woman had arrived at the hotel with a man last evening.

A few minutes after having been in the hotel room, the man had informed the hotel management that the woman had suddenly fallen unconscious.

A complaint had been filed with the Avissawella Police, thereafter, following which a probe had been launched into the death.

The deceased has been identified as a 23-year-old female resident of Walapane. (Newswire)

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A journalist attached to a private media institution in Sri Lanka has been apprehended in connection to the shooting incident reported in the Thalduwa area in Avissawella last Wednesday (Sep 20), it was reported.

According to media reports, Police interrogations have revealed that the journalist had provided confidential information to the mastermind of the shooting, notorious criminal ‘Manna Ramesh’, who is operating from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The journalist was arrested in the Meegoda area last night by officials of the Police Special Task Force (STF).

Inspections on the journalist’s mobile phone have revealed that he had been in contact with the notorious criminal during the period of the shooting, with the Police finding 18 calls between the two parties. 

Police investigations have also revealed that ‘Manna Ramesh’ had deposited money to the journalist’s private bank account on several occasions.

The journalist along with three others who had provided refuge for the shooter have been produced before the Avissawella Magistrate’s Court. 

The court has allowed the Police to detain the journalist for a period of 72 hours for questioning, while the other three suspects are to be detained for a period of 7 days for questioning. (NewsWire)

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Three including a woman have been arrested for allegedly abducting and threatening a youth from the Thalduwa area in Avissawella.

According to the Police, a 25-year-old youth had been abducted, held captive, and threatened by the suspects on July 24.

Based on a complaint filed on the incident, the Avissawella Police arrested two men, and a woman who had aided them, while they had also taken into custody a pickup truck used for the abduction.

The two men have been identified as 26-year-old and 27-year-old, residents of the Avissawella and Getaheththa areas, and the woman is a 50-year-old resident of Avissawella.

Police investigations have revealed that the suspects have abducted the youth over a personal dispute.

The suspects will be produced before the Avissawella Magistrate’s Court today. (NewsWire)

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