Three suspects have been arrested in Borella and Panadura for illegally keeping and attempting to sell wildlife parts and jewelry made from them, according to wildlife officers and the Police Special Task Force Intelligence Unit.

The raid led to the seizure of a significant haul, including eight cups made of elephant tusks, an elephant pearl necklace, bracelet and casket, a two‑foot fake tusk, two bracelets suspected to be made of elephant pearls, five leopard teeth, two leopard skins, three sea shells, two spotted conch shells, a deer antler, and two pieces of black coral.

Wildlife officials said the suspects and case productions will be produced before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court and the Panadura Magistrate’s Court.

The operation was carried out jointly by officers of the Kurunegala Wildlife Assistant Director’s Office, Bulathkohupitiya Wildlife Office, Attidiya Wildlife Office, and the Rajagiriya Police Intelligence Unit, based on intelligence provided by the Sri Lanka Air Force. (Newswire)

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Two 24‑year‑old residents of Gothami Road, Borella, have been arrested in connection with the robbery of a taxi driver in the Welikada Police Division on Sunday (31), the Police said.

Investigations have revealed that the suspects are linked to multiple similar robberies targeting drivers of hired vehicles.

At the time of the arrest of the suspects yesterday, the Police recovered quantities of ICE narcotics in their possession.

According to the Police, the duo had robbed Rs. 80,000 from a driver in Rajagiriya on May 29, Rs. 40,000 along with a necklace and two Bluetooth headsets from another driver the same day, and Rs. 3,000 with a mobile phone from a three‑wheeler driver in Gothami Road on May 7. 

One of the suspects had previously been arrested for another robbery involving Rs. 5,500 and a mobile phone.

Another suspect connected to yesterday’s robbery has been arrested by the Welikada Police. 

Further investigations are being carried out by the Borella and Welikada Police Stations. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Health, Hansaka Wijemuni, recently conducted a surprise inspection of the Inbound Health Assessment Centre (IHAP) in Borella, which assesses the health status of foreign migrants arriving in Sri Lanka. 

According to the Health Ministry, the centre operates in coordination with the Ministry of Health’s Quarantine Unit and the Department of Immigration and Emigration, and functions under the supervision of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), an international migration agency active in Sri Lanka.

The IOM provides technical assistance to the Sri Lankan government on a wide range of migrationrelated issues, including the control of diseases that may pose a risk of spread within the country, and supports activities aligned with the Ministry of Health’s policies and vision. 

The IHAP conducts medical examinations for foreigners arriving in Sri Lanka (excluding those on tourist visas) before visas are issued, focusing on diseases approved by the Ministry of Health. During the inspection, the deputy minister reviewed how these services are currently delivered, as well as the centre’s future plans, challenges and operational issues. 

At present, the centre conducts approved tests for tuberculosis, leprosy, malaria and AIDS. Officials said the facility examines around 100 foreigners a day and confirmed that, over the past five years, it has screened about 103,618 foreigners who came to Sri Lanka to obtain long-term visas. 

The inspection also revealed that, among the two diseases said to have been eliminated in Sri Lanka, leprosy and malaria, more than 2,000 leprosy cases had been detected through screening. Malaria cases have also been identified and referred to the relevant authorities. Officials further informed the deputy minister that more than 100 AIDS cases and more than 80 tuberculosis cases had been identified and referred for treatment. 

Following the inspection, the deputy minister held a discussion with IHAP officials, who highlighted the weak coordination of the institute at present with the Ministry of Health’s relevant institutions, the Department of Immigration and Emigration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They said this had made it difficult to ensure that all foreigners obtaining long-term visas are screened to date. 

Officials also noted the need to put in place arrangements for the Ministry of Health to fully carry out the centre’s operational functions. They said one of the main challenges for staff is completing all disease screening within two hours for each foreign national. They also raised financial concerns, noting that a significant portion of the fees collected is spent on operations, and said greater attention should be paid to financial management. 

During the discussion, the deputy minister also considered proposals that the centre should, in future, contribute not only to screening foreigners but also to examining the health of Sri Lankans returning from overseas after living or working abroad. 

Officials also proposed expanding the facility’s role to include preparing health travel guidance for Sri Lankans migrating overseas and strengthening travel physician services to provide decisions and information on health conditions before foreigners travel to Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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The road to Colombo from the Devi Balika Vidyalaya roundabout to the D.S. Senanayake Junction in Borella will be closed from today (01), the Police said.

According to the Police, the road will be completely closed to traffic from 07.00 pm. 

The closure is due to repairs on the cracks and a sunken area on the said road. (Newswire)

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The two inbound lanes to Colombo from the Devi Balika Vidyalaya roundabout to the D.S. Senanayake Junction in Borella have been closed, the Police said.

According to the Police, the road has been closed due to cracks and a sunken area, while repairs have commenced.

The Police have urged motorists to use alternative routes. (Newswire)

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Vehicular movement has been disrupted in Borella due to a section of the road sinking on the route entering Colombo between the Borella Model Farm Junction and the D.S. Senanayake Junction.

According to the Police, drivers heading toward Colombo are advised to use alternative routes where possible.

The recommended alternative routes are as follows:

• Vehicles entering Colombo via the Model Farm Junction can proceed toward the Kanatta Roundabout and access Baseline Road.
• Vehicles coming from Rajagiriya toward Colombo can enter via Ayurveda Roundabout and continue along Kotta Road.
• Vehicles travelling from Colombo toward Sri Jayawardenepura via the Model Farm Junction can turn left at the D.S. Senanayake Junction, pass through Borella Junction, and enter Sri Jayawardenepura Road via Kotta Road. (Newswire)

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Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting incident in Borella last Thursday, in which two youths were reported dead.

According to the Police, the three suspects have been arrested for having aided the shooting.

They are residents of Borella and Dematagoda, aged 29, 28, and 36 years.

Two men on a motorcycle had opened fire at a group of youths who were engaged in decoration activities at the sports ground in Sahaspura in Borella on Thursday night. 

Among the victims, two youths have succumbed to injuries, while three who sustained gunshot injuries are receiving treatment in the hospital. 

The Borella Police are conducting investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya has visited the crime scene where one youth was killed and four others were injured in a shooting in Borella.

Three youths who sustained injuries in the incident remain in critical condition at the Colombo National Hospital, Hospital authorities said.

One has undergone surgery, and all three are being treated in the ICU, with further surgeries expected.

A fourth injured individual is in stable condition.

The attack occurred last night when two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire with a T-56 rifle, injuring five people.

One of the victims, a 23-year-old from Kelaniya, succumbed to injuries early this morning, before surgery, Hospital authorities said.

The injured are aged between 21 and 23 and are residents of Colombo. Police have conducted a special search operation in the area while investigations continue. (Newswire)

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One person has died following a shooting in Borella reported last night near the Sahaspura housing complex.

The victim was identified as a 23-year-old resident of Akurupitiya Road in Kelaniya.

Four others aged 21, 22 and 23 were also injured in the incident and are currently receiving treatment at hospital. Police said the injured were residents of Colombo.

Police said the shooting occurred when five individuals were making preparations for a scheduled sports event near the housing complex.

Gunmen had reportedly arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire using a T-56 assault rifle.

Police recovered 25 bullet casings from the scene while further investigations are underway. (Newswire)

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The owner of the crane involved in the multi-vehicle collision in Borella today has been arrested, the Police said. 

According to the Police, the owner and driver of the crane are to be produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court tomorrow. 

Police investigations reveal that the accident occurred due to the driver speeding and losing control of the vehicle, and he has been charged with negligence and reckless driving.

The Police further stated that post-accident medical examination revealed that the driver had been under the influence of cannabis at the time of the incident.

The crane had crashed into 06 motorcycles and three cars that had been waiting at the colour light near the Borella Cemetery junction this morning.

One person had died on the spot, while five men and two women injured in the accident are receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital. Two Police officers are among the injured persons. 

The Borella Police are conducting further investigations. (Newswire)

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CCTV footage of the accident in Borella this morning shows a small crane crashing into several vehicles and running over motorcycles near the Borella Cemetery.

One person was reported dead, and six others had sustained injuries soon after the accident near a prominent junction in Colombo.

Police say post-accident medical examination has revealed that the driver had consumed cannabis at the time of the incident.

The crane, used for tree cutting, had been travelling from Rajagiriya towards Borella when the driver had lost control near the Borella cemetery, resulting in the accident.

At the time of the accident, it was reported that the crane had hit 06 motorcycles and three cars. (Newswire)

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Police say one person was killed and 06 others were injured in the multi-vehicle collision that was reported near the Borella Cemetery roundabout in Colombo today. 

According to the Police, a small crane had crashed into 06 parked motorcycles and three cars this morning (28).

Seven persons injured in the accident were admitted to the Colombo National Hospital, of which a 62-year-old man from Athurugiriya had succumbed to injuries. 

Police investigations have found that the crane’s brakes had malfunctioned, resulting in the multi-vehicle collision. 

The driver of the crane has been arrested in connection with the incident. The Borella Police are conducting further investigations. (Newswire/ Image- Accident1st)

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Two individuals have been arrested for aiding a recent attempted murder involving a shooting in Borella, police confirmed.

The incident occurred on July 8, when two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire at a man inside a shop on Serpentine Road, Borella, before fleeing the scene.

Following investigations, Borella Police arrested a 30-year-old resident of Imbulgasdeniya on July 16 in the Sahaspura area. He was taken into custody along with the three-wheeler allegedly used to support the crime.

Based on information provided by the suspect, a second individual, aged 36 and residing in Borella, was arrested later that evening in the Seewali Lane area. He was found in possession of 11.115g of the narcotic drug ICE.

A search of his residence uncovered a forged number plate, a sword, a mobile phone, and another three-wheeler believed to have been used to transport the gunmen. 

Borella Police are continuing further investigations. (Newswire)

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A firearm has been recovered from a construction site on Castle Street in Borella on Saturday (Jan 18).

According to the Police, an internationally manufactured pistol and a magazine had been found in a 02-foot deep pit in an empty land in the area.

Based on information received via the Police emergency hotline, the Borella Police had taken custody of the weapon. 

The Borella Police is conducting further investigations. (Newswire)

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The Police have seized large hauls of narcotics in two separate areas today. 

A suspect has been arrested with a stock of drugs estimated to be around Rs.130 million. 

The suspect was found to be in possession of 05 kilos of heroin, 1.6 kilos of ‘ICE’ and 800 tablets of ‘ecstasy’.

The Police Special Task Force (STF) arrested the suspect from Kahathuduwa.

Meanwhile, a 20-year-old was arrested with more than 02 kilos of ‘ICE’.

The suspect was arrested from Wanathamulla in Borella. (Newswire)

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A suspect has been arrested in Borella with around 600,000 capsules of prescription drugs, which were being illegally transported to be sold.

A search operation conducted by the Navy and Police Special Task Force (STF) yesterday, resulted in the seizure of the drugs and the lorry used to transport the drugs.

Based on information from the Naval Intelligence, the Sri Lanka Navy together with the Police STF inspected a suspicious lorry, after which the suspect together with drugs and the lorry were taken into custody.

The suspect, a 44-year-old resident of Mannar, along with the drugs and the lorry, has been handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for further investigations. (Newswire)

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A 16-year-old boy sustained serious injuries after falling off an apartment complex in Borella yesterday.

The Police stated that the teenager was reported to have fallen off the third floor of the Serpentine Apartment Complex in Borella last afternoon.

The injured child is receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the Colombo National Hospital.

Investigations have revealed that the teenager had not been at home after which his mother had visited the house at the Serpentine Apartment Complex which was frequented by her child.

The Police said the child who had got enraged with the mother’s confrontation had attempted to leave the house through the window at the back of the house and via a wall with the support of iron grills but had fallen.

The Borella Police is conducting investigations into the incident. (NewsWire)

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The Colombo Port City Economic Commission has issued a clarification in response to recent media coverage regarding an incident involving a Chinese National being robbed at a residence in Lake Drive, Borella. 

Issuing a statement, the Commission said it categorically refutes any claims insinuating that the individuals involved, maintain any affiliations, employment, or investment within the Colombo Port City.

The Commission further emphasized that relying on accurate and verified information on such an incident in question of such an unfortunate criminal event, and any attempt to associate it with the activities within Colombo Port City is entirely unsubstantiated.

The Commission urged the media, the public, and all stakeholders to exercise caution and responsibility when sharing information related to such incidents and spreading unverified information which can lead to unnecessary misrepresentation, that can be detrimental to the reputation and credibility of the Colombo Port City project.

The Colombo Port City Economic Commission added that it is actively collaborating with relevant authorities to address any concerns to ensure the well-being and security of all those associated with Colombo Port City to maintain the highest standards of safety and security.

The clarification comes after a Chinese national claiming to be engaged with the Colombo Port City had staged a robbery at his rented residence in Borella, informing the Police of stolen goods worth over Rs. 40 million.

Police investigations had found that the robbery was staged to cover losses incurred by the Chinese national due to gambling at casinos.

Further investigations have also revealed that the man along with a group of other Chinese nationals had engaged in online pyramid schemes in Sri Lanka.

The suspect, his interpreter and two others have been arrested over the fake robbery, while 15 other Chinese nationals engaged in the pyramid scheme have fled, and investigations are underway into the matter. (NewsWire)

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Police investigations have revealed that the alleged robbery of the residence of a Chinese Businessman in Borella recently was staged by a group of Chinese nationals carrying out pyramid schemes in Sri Lanka, it was reported.

According to Daily News, the Colombo South Division Criminal Investigation Bureau has revealed that the complaint on the robbery was bogus and the Chinese businessman had robbed more than Rs 40 million worth of money and property through pyramid scams.

The Chinese businessman, claiming to be engaged with the Colombo Port City, had filed a Police complaint stating that he and his interpreter had been attacked by armed men who had stolen cash and valuables worth over Rs 40 million from his rented residence located on Lake Drive in Borella on August 19.

In his complaint, the Chinese businessman said that his cook was also found tied in the kitchen, while he and his interpreter who were tied up by the suspects had been rescued by a group of friends, whom he had managed to alert while unlocking his phone for the suspects.

The Chinese national had claimed that the robbers had taken away a stock of American dollars, Yuan, Thai currency, Hong Kong dollars, Dirhams and Sri Lankan rupees worth more than Rs 23.8 million, along with 11 mobile phones, seven laptops, five bottles of foreign liquor, an Armani watch, a valuable waist belt and his interpreter’s van. The value of those properties is over Rs 17.7 million.

However, the Colombo South Division Criminal Investigation Bureau has revealed that the Chinese businessman, along with 15 other Chinese nationals, had been engaged in pyramid schemes in Sri Lanka. 

Investigations have also revealed that the robbery was planned by the Chinese businessman to cover up the loss of money by gambling in casinos. Two Chinese nationals, including the interpreter and another person who assisted him in carrying out the robbery, have been arrested.

It has also been found that the house where these Chinese nationals were staying was used to carry out the pyramid scams. 

The Police said fifteen (15) Chinese nationals involved in the pyramid schemes had fled from the house with around 40 laptops used in the scam when the Police had raided the place. The group, staying in Sri Lanka for more than a year, had conducted the international pyramid scheme online.

Further investigations have revealed that the interpreter has been paid a sum of Rs. 1.5 million to implement the plan, while the Chinese businessman was not engaged in business activities in the Colombo Port City as claimed.

Thirty thousand cigarettes were also found in the suspect’s possession, leading to the discovery of their involvement in the illegal smuggling of cigarettes to Sri Lanka.

The suspects are also found to have bought seven houses from luxury apartment complexes in Colombo. The Police stated that they were investigating the suspects involved in the pyramid scheme with the Chinese national. (NewsWire)

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The Police have launched an investigation into the robbery of the residence of a Chinese Businessman engaged with the Colombo Port City, it was reported.

According to Daily News, cash and valuables worth over Rs 40 million had been stolen from the residence located on Lake Drive in Borella last week (19).

Investigations have revealed that the 38-year-old Chinese national had arrived in Colombo a year ago and had rented the property in Borella while working at the Colombo Port City. 

The Chinese national is reported to have returned home from Colombo Port City around midnight on August 19 with his interpreter in a van and had been attacked by armed robbers as he entered his residence.

Both the businessman and his interpreter had been tied up by the robbers who were armed with guns and swords.

As the Chinese national was instructed to unlock his phone, he had managed to alert a friend after which the friend along with other persons had arrived at the house.

Following the arrival of more people, the robbers had fled the area in the interpreter’s van, while the Chinese national and his interpreter were freed by his friends. 

Upon inspecting his residence, the Chinese national had found his cook tied up in the kitchen, while the house had been ransacked with cash in foreign and local currency, and valuables in excess of Rs 40 million, including 11 mobile phones, 7 laptops, 5 bottles of foreign liquor, an Armani watch and an expensive belt being stolen by the robbers.

The DVR that stores footage from the security camera system at the house had also been stolen by the robbers. 

The Borella Police and the Colombo Crimes Division are investigating the robbery paying special attention to checking footage of security cameras located in nearby houses, business establishments and roadways. (NewsWire)

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