The Hambantota Police have arrested a 15‑year‑old schoolboy and his father after a car driven by the boy crashed into a wall belonging to a religious site on Wednesday (13), causing damage

The Police said the boy was taken into custody yesterday (14) after returning home from school. 

He is to be produced before the court on charges of driving without a licence, reckless driving, and failing to prevent an accident.

CCTV footage revealed that the vehicle involved in the accident was driven by a child at the time, Police officials confirmed.

The Police further said that the father, who appeared claiming responsibility for the accident, will also face charges of allowing an unlicenced person to operate a vehicle.

The Hambantota Police Station are to produce both suspects before the court. (Newswire

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Sri Lanka has successfully hosted one of its largest international weddings, welcoming over 800 international guests for the four‑day celebration of entrepreneur Mujtaba Shaikhani and Dr. Hafsha Merchant at the Shangri‑La Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa.

Guests from the UAE, India, Pakistan, the UK, and Sri Lanka stayed an average of five to seven nights, contributing significantly to the tourism economy. The event, from 26-29 March, blended tradition and modern luxury, culminating in a sunset nikkah ceremony overlooking the Indian Ocean and a grand reception titled The Royal Affair.

The Government states that promoting and supporting such international events is a key responsibility in advancing Sri Lanka’s tourism vision. Both government and private institutions are expected to ensure seamless hospitality and infrastructure for future large‑scale gatherings.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) officially endorsed the wedding and extended full support, underscoring the nation’s commitment to positioning itself as a premier global destination for weddings and international events.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath participated in the celebrations on Sunday (29), highlighting the occasion as a symbol of friendship, cultural exchange, and goodwill.

Looking ahead, the Ministry noted that this landmark wedding demonstrates Sri Lanka’s ability to host large‑scale international gatherings with elegance, authenticity, and world‑class hospitality. It is not only a celebration of love but also a showcase of Sri Lanka’s potential as one of the world’s leading destinations for weddings and beyond. (Newswire)

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Police have seized nearly 500 litres of fuel during a raid in the Katuwawa Salmalyaya area of Hambantota. 

The operation was carried out based on intelligence received from the Military Intelligence Division.

According to police, more than 480 litres of diesel and around 20 litres of petrol were found hidden inside a house.

The suspect taken into custody, along with the seized fuel, is scheduled to be produced before the Hambantota Magistrate’s Court. (Newswire)

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Vice Chairman of China’s Sinopec Group, Lv Lianggong, assured Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, that construction of the new oil refinery in Hambantota will begin without delay. The pledge came during a meeting held at the ministry in Colombo today.

The proposed project, estimated at USD 3.7 billion, is expected to produce up to 200,000 barrels per day once operational. Lv Lianggong led a 10-member delegation to discuss the project’s progress and unresolved issues related to its implementation.

Lv Lianggong said support from Minister Herath had helped resolve many long-standing challenges. As a result, the project agreement was signed in January. He also outlined remaining concerns that need to be addressed and requested the minister’s intervention to ensure swift resolution, citing the importance of the project to both countries.

Minister Herath agreed to personally intervene to resolve pending issues promptly, highlighting the positive impact of foreign investment on Sri Lanka’s economy. Both parties committed to commencing the project without further delay.

The Sinopec delegation is also scheduled to meet with the Ministry of Power and Energy, the Board of Investment, and other relevant agencies today. (Newswire)

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The Kalutara Crimes Division has uncovered a crystal methamphetamine (ICE) production factory operated at an apartment complex in Hambantota. 

During the raid, the Police officials found equipment and chemicals suspected to be used for the production of ICE and a vehicle parked at the resort, believed to have been used for transporting the drugs.

Authorities discovered 14 cans containing a total of 52 litres of chemicals suspected to be used in the manufacture of ICE, along with various other equipment believed to be part of the drug production process.

A 20-year-old resident of Wellawaya has been arrested in connection with the incident and has been identified as an associate of underworld figure Suranga, who was recently apprehended. 

The suspect is due to be produced before the Panadura Magistrate’s Court today.

This is the latest ICE production factory found by the authorities, following the recent arrest of five underworld figures in Indonesia. 

Previously, the Police found such ICE production factories in Nuwara Eliya, Middeniya, Netolipitiya and Kandana. (Newswire)

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A suspect was killed in a shootout with the Special Task Force (STF) in a forested area at Wewegama, Suriyawewa, Hambantota.

Police said the suspect sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire and later died after being admitted to the hospital. An STF officer injured in the incident has also been hospitalized in Suriyawewa.

Two other suspects remain at the scene, while another escaped during the clash. Police said the suspects hurled a hand grenade at the STF officers during the confrontation.

Investigators suspect the deceased man was connected to a recent shooting incident in Kosgoda. Further investigations are underway. (Newswire)

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The owner of the Hambantota Bird Park, who was arrested in connection with 21 illegally imported high-capacity motorbikes, was remanded until July 25.

The suspect was arrested this morning (17) in Narahenpita by a special Police unit and later remanded after being produced before the Hambantota Magistrate’s Court.

His arrest comes after the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau discovered 21 illegally imported motorcycles hidden within the bird sanctuary premises.

According to the Police, the value of a single motorcycle exceeds Rs. 15 million. In addition, four illegally cultivated cannabis plants were found on the property. 

The sanctuary’s farm manager and warehouse supervisor were initially taken into custody. The arrested individuals are residents of Matara and Middeniya, aged between 40 and 50 years. (Newswire)

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The owner of the Hambantota Bird Park has been arrested in connection with the seizure of imported illegal high-capacity motorbikes.

According to the Police Spokesman, the arrest pertained to the illegally imported high-capacity motorbikes that were found at the Bird Park premises recently. 

Following a raid conducted last week, the farm manager and warehouse manager of the Hambantota Bird Park were arrested.

During the raid, the Police uncovered 21 illegally imported motorbikes and four cannabis plants hidden within the park’s bird food storage area.

The seized motorbikes, valued at over Rs. 10 million, were reportedly stored without proper documentation. (Newswire)

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The National People’s Power (NPP) has established power in the Matale and Kalutara Municipal Councils during elections held today.

NPP’s Ashoka Kottahachchi was elected Mayor of the Matale Municipal Council after securing 12 votes. 

Meanwhile, NPP’s Danoj Somaratne was elected Mayor of the Kalutara Municipal Council after securing 17 votes.

During the election, the opposition SJB’s candidate had obtained 13 votes, while one vote had been rejected.  

However, the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has established power in the Hambantota Municipal Council.

SJB candidate D.A. Gamini was elected Mayor of the Hambantota Municipal Council during elections held today. 

The SJB had won a majority of seats at the local council following the 2025 Local Government Elections. 

The SJB has also established power in the Buttala Pradeshiya Sabha during elections held today.

During the inaugural session of the local council today, SJB candidate Rajika Chathuranga was elected as Chairman of the council by securing a majority of votes. (Newswire)

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The inaugural event of the “FACE TO FACE – MEET THE MINISTER” program, organized by the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, aimed at meeting regional industrialists and entrepreneurs beyond Colombo, addressing the issues they face, and strengthening the production economy, was held at the Hambantota District Secretariat on Wednesday (Feb 12).

The “FACE TO FACE – MEET THE MINISTER” program has been launched based on a concept suggested by Minister of Industry Sunil Handunnetti.

Under the leadership of Minister Sunil Handunnetti and Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, the program focused on addressing the issues faced by industrialists and entrepreneurs in the Hambantota district. 

During the meeting, the ministers took steps to direct these concerns to the relevant responsible authorities.

The event, attended by numerous government officials representing state institutions, discussed various challenges faced by industrialists, including land issues, taxes levied by the government, technical requirements, access to necessary infrastructure for industries, raw material supply, raw material transportation, power supply, environmental issues, and difficulties faced when obtaining services from state institutions.

Industrialists from various fields, including agriculture, fisheries-related industries, fibre, ceramics, bricks, tiles, tourism, and salt, participated in the program, aiming to resolve the issues they face, representing small, medium, and large-scale industries.

Minister Sunil Handunnetti, in addressing the industrialists, emphasized that the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development is working to swiftly complete projects in the Bata Atha and Suriyawewa industrial zones and provide these industrial zones to the industrialists as quickly as possible. 

He also mentioned efforts to offer tax relief to industrialists for raw materials and semi-finished goods. (Newswire)

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The National Peoples’ Power (NPP) has won five (05) seats in the Hambantota District under the Preferential voting system.

The preferential votes for the Hambantota District are as follows;

• NPP – 05 seats

Nihal Galappaththi – 125,983 votes

Athula Welangoda – 73,198 votes

Sandaruwan Madarasinghe – 65,969 votes

Aravinda Senarath – 48,807 votes

Ruwan Senarath – 42,249 votes

• SJB – 01 seat

Dilip Wedaarachchi – 23,514 votes

• SLPP – 01 seat 

D.V. Chanaka – 16,546 votes. (Newswire)

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The King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid will implement the Noor Saudi Volunteer Project in Sri Lanka to combat blindness and diseases at government hospitals in the Hambantota and Kattankudy areas from 03 to 16 November 2024.

Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Sri Lanka, Khalid bin Hamoud Al-Kahtani said the project is being launched based on the distinguished relations between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka, and the keenness of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to alleviate the suffering of countries around the world,

Accordingly, the Noor Saudi Volunteer Project includes performing surgical operations on thousands of cases, providing them with medical services, medicines, spectacles and lenses, in addition to providing them with health awareness. 

This project is an extension of the projects organized by the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid in all countries, including Sri Lanka.

The center has previously organized several volunteer campaigns in different regions of Sri Lanka during the past years, the last of which was in the Kattankudy area of the Eastern Province from 04 – 10 May 2024. 

In addition to this, 300 tons of dates were handed over to the World Food Programme (WFP) office in Sri Lanka in June 2024 to distribute among needy people in the nation.

In its work, the Center relies on principles based on lofty humanitarian goals, based on providing aid to the needy and relief to the afflicted anywhere in the world with an accurate monitoring mechanism and advanced and rapid transportation methods, which is carried out through the assistance of United Nations organizations and international and local non-profit organizations in the beneficiary countries with high reliability. 

The projects and programs provided by the Center must be diverse according to those who deserve them and the circumstances in which they live or have been exposed. The aid includes all sectors of relief and humanitarian work (relief security, camp management, shelter, early recovery, protection, education, water, environmental sanitation, nutrition, health, support to humanitarian operations, logistics, and emergency communications).

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center seeks to be a global model in this field, based on several foundations, including:

• Continuing the Kingdom’s approach to extending a helping hand to those in need around the world.
• Providing aid without any inhumane motives.
• Coordination and consultation with trusted international organizations and bodies.
• Applying all international standards used in relief programs.
• Unifying efforts among the agencies concerned with relief work in the Kingdom.
• Professionalism and efficiency of the center’s workers and volunteers.
• Ensuring that aid reaches those who deserve it and is not exploited for other purposes.
• The aid must be of high quality and reliable source.

According to general statistics of the Center’s projects, 3091 projects have been completed at a total cost of $7,071,726,973 in 103 countries around the world as of December 31, 2024, including 18 projects at a total cost of USD 15 million in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has highlighted plans to link Hambantota to the Myanmar port, with further extensions anticipated up to Chongqing in eastern China and down to Africa.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the President expressed these views during a recent discussion convened at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the discussion, the President articulated his vision for economic development and infrastructure investment, particularly focusing on the master plans for strategic tourism zones in the Eastern Province, Colombo City, the Western Region and Greater Hambantota.

President Wickremesinghe emphasized the economic potential of Hambantota, envisioning it as a pivotal hub for infrastructure development and connectivity. 

He highlighted plans to link Hambantota to the Myanmar port, with further extensions anticipated up to Chongqing in eastern China and down to Africa.

President Wickremesinghe also stressed the importance of leveraging the extensive investments already made in infrastructure in Hambantota, despite previous challenges.

“We have spent a significant amount on infrastructure here, and despite facing crises, it is imperative to capitalize on these investments,” remarked President Wickremesinghe. 

He disclosed plans for allocating thousands of acres of land for investment zones, with additional acquisitions sought in the Moneragala area.

Moreover, the President advocated for strategic expansion into new areas, including Avissawella and Eheliyagoda, to alleviate urban congestion and foster new city centres. 

Plans for a North Colombo port expansion and potential industrial and IT parks were also discussed, aiming to attract investments and spur economic growth.

“We must concentrate our efforts and funds on key infrastructure, particularly in Hambantota and Colombo,” President Wickremesinghe stated, expressing confidence in attracting investors for heritage cities like Colombo once land availability is ensured. 

However, he acknowledged the need for continued investment in Hambantota to propel its development, highlighting it as the next significant hub after Colombo.

The development of Trincomalee as a major investment zone, in collaboration with India, emerged as a priority during the discussion. 

President Wickremesinghe announced plans for a joint working group to implement development initiatives in Trincomalee, emphasizing the importance of bilateral cooperation in driving economic growth and regional stability.

The PMD added that President Wickremesinghe’s remarks underscored a strategic shift towards targeted infrastructure development, emphasizing the pivotal roles of Hambantota and the Eastern Province in economic growth and positioning it as a key player alongside Colombo in Sri Lanka’s development trajectory. (NewsWire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy has intercepted a fishing trawler carrying over 179 kilos of heroin with a street value of over Rs. 3593 million.

The Navy stated that in a coordinated operation conducted with the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, based on information from the State Intelligence Service, the local multi-day fishing trawler was intercepted about 132 nautical miles off the Little Basses in Hambantota on Saturday (15).

The operation, carried out by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship ‘Samudraraksha’, also resulted in the apprehension of six (06) suspects. 

The consignment of narcotic drugs and the suspects were brought to the Galle harbour today where Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera was present to inspect them.

Based on information received from a combined intelligence operation led by the Naval Intelligence, the State Intelligence Service, and the Police Narcotic Bureau, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship ‘Samudraraksha’ was deployed for this special operation off the coast of the Little Basses in the south of Sri Lanka. 

In this operation, the local multi-day fishing trawler was searched on suspicion and a consignment of heroin was recovered from the trawler. Accordingly, about 179kg and 654g (including packages) of heroin were found in 160 packs which were in 08 sacks. Thus, the consignment of drugs, the fishing trawler and 06 suspects who were onboard were taken into custody.

The Navy stated that the suspects held in the operation have been identified as residents of Nakulugamuwa, Kudawella, Netolpitiya, and Trincomalee, who are from 25 to 32 years of age. They will be handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for onward legal action.

Including the latest seizure, the Sri Lanka Navy has seized drugs with a gross street value of over Rs. 4908 million during operations conducted so far in 2023. (NewsWire)

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Seven (07) companies have submitted Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the proposed new oil refinery in Hambantota, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said on Tuesday (28).

Minister Wijesekera said in a Twitter message that companies had submitted EOIs by the deadline yesterday pertaining to the oil refinery to be developed in Mirijjawila.

He further said the technical evaluation committee and other procurement committees will evaluate EOIs and issue the Request for Proposals (RFP) to suitable applicants. 

In January 2023, the Cabinet gave permission for the energy ministry to call expressions of interest to set up an export-oriented oil refinery in Hambanthota. (NewsWire)

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Sri Lanka Navy, in coordination with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, rendered assistance to bring ashore a non-motorised pleasure craft that was in distress off the southern coast on Thursday, 2nd March 2023.

The Navy said in a statement that the pleasure craft ‘Little Donkey’, a New Zealand-flagged vessel was on a marine research mission when it developed an issue with its propulsion system. Accordingly, the craft with two foreign crew members aboard was safely towed to the Port of Hambantota to fix the issue.

MRCC Colombo, established at the Navy Headquarters, remains ever-alert and coordinates proceedings when responding to maritime distresses faced by naval and fishing communities in the Search and Rescue Region (SRR) of Sri Lanka.

The pleasure craft with two crew members is reported to have developed a defect in its pedal-based rowing system whilst crossing the Bay of Bengal from Thailand, to collect high-quality microbiological samples for DNA analysis to support some research work. The craft was in distress in the SRR of Sri Lanka off the southern coast, when a distress message was disseminated to MRCC Colombo by the local agents on 02nd March, requesting the towing assistance from the Sri Lanka Navy to bring the craft ashore for repairs.

At the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the Navy rushed a Fast Attack Craft P 483 of the 04th Fast Attack Flotilla in the Southern Naval Command to the sea area where the craft was in distress. Subsequently, P 483 set about towing the beleaguered craft with two crew members to the Port of Hambantota for much-needed repairs.

The Sri Lanka Navy stated that MRCC Colombo at the Navy Headquarters coordinates and oversees maritime search and rescue (SAR) operations in its designated area of responsibility, in coordination with MRCCs in the region. In the year 2022, MRCC Colombo played a critical role in ensuring the safety of mariners and vessels at sea by providing timely and effective SAR response and support services to 35 foreign craft and vessels. (NewsWire)

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A 56-year-old man has been sentenced to 36 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping and impregnating his underage sister-in-law in 2008.

Issuing the order yesterday, Hambantota High Court Judge Priyantha Liyanage also imposed a fine of Rs.15,000 and a compensation of Rs. 600,000 to the victim. 

According to Daily News, the suspect, who is a father of two, is reported to have raped his underage sister-in-law on several occasions at a house in Kataragama in 2008.

Investigations have revealed that the victim was residing with her sister and her brother-in-law due to her parents being employed in Colombo.

It has been revealed that the victim’s sister and mother who were aware of the incident had concealed the matter and had been hesitant to seek Police assistance.

However, the victim’s elder brother had notified the Police after the victim was found to be pregnant a few months after the incident. 

The suspect who was arrested over the rape was charged under three indictments by the Attorney General. (NewsWire)

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