A Police officer and two civil officials who were deployed on election duty have been reported dead due to sudden illnesses, Sri Lanka Police said. 

Addressing a special media briefing today, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that the officers had fallen ill while on election duty at various areas this morning.

He further said they are reported to have died due to natural causes, such as a heart attack. 

A 33-year-old Police Officer deployed at a school in the Urumpirai area in Kopai has died and it is suspected he may have died due to a heart attack.

A 48-year-old woman who had been appointed as the Polling Station Chief of the Siri Sadhaham Bhikshu Aramaye in the Kesbewa area had also died after suddenly falling ill while on duty.

The Police Spokesman said the woman, a resident of Payagala, had died after being admitted to the Piliyandala Hospital.

He further said that a 57-year-old man attached to the polling centre staff of the Kobeigane area had also died after suddenly falling ill while on election duty.

DIG Thalduwa added that post-mortem examinations into the deaths will be conducted, while it is suspected that all three officials may have died due to heart attacks. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Police has heightened security in the Ella, Weligama, and Colombo areas following the warning on potential attacks on Israeli tourists. 

Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa told Newswire that security measures are already in place in several areas in the Southern Province, including Weligama, and the Ella and Colombo areas frequented by Israeli tourists. 

He further revealed that the setting up of Jewish prayer halls in five areas, including Ella, Weligama, and Colombo, had been a key reason for the Police to heighten security in the said areas.

DIG Thalduwa confirmed that two suspects had been arrested by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) on suspicion of connections to the threats.

“One suspect is from Jaffna, while the other is from Colombo. They have been detained and are undergoing interrogation,” he added. 

The US Embassy’s recent travel advisory to its citizens, stating that it had received credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area, had brought to light potential attacks against Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka.

Soon after, several more countries, such as the United Kingdom, Russia, New Zealand, and Australia, also issued travel advisories on Sri Lanka. 

Commenting on the matter, Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya confirmed that the Police have put in place a special security program to address possible threats.

Addressing the media, he revealed that the decision was made in response to intelligence reports linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and potential threats to Israelis in Sri Lanka, as a result. (Newswire)

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Two suspects wanted in connection to breaking into houses and sexually molesting women, causing fear in several areas, have been apprehended.

Police investigations have found that the two suspects had sexually abused and murdered an elderly woman. 

Initial reports had come of the suspects sexually abusing women and robbing houses in the Dompe, Weliweriya, and Malwathu Hiripitiya areas.

Following a six-day operation, Officials from the Malwathu Hiripitiya Police arrested the two suspects while fleeing after stealing from an abandoned house in the area.

The Police had seized several weapons used to carry out the robberies, while the suspects had confessed to robbing in the Avissawella, Kirella and Eheliyagoda areas as well.

Investigations have found that a 21-year-old youth addicted to drugs had carried out the robberies along with his uncle.

The Police were also able to recover several stolen items, including mobile phones and jewellery, following the interrogation of the suspect.

Briefing the media on the case, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that the two suspects are reported to have selected houses on large lands, with mostly only one male residing. 

He further said the suspects had sexually molested women within the premises of the house, apart from stealing.

DIG Nihal Thalduwa said these suspects are found to have engaged in such actions in several areas across the country. (Newswire)

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The scam farms by foreign nationals recently busted in Sri Lanka are similar to those in Myanmar where Sri Lankan nationals are stranded, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said. 

Speaking to local media, the Police Spokesman said these scam farms are termed ‘scamming camps’, which was a very new concept to Sri Lanka. 

“This concept of scamming camps was discovered only this year. Suspects select separate locations, mostly consisting of rooms and a big hall where their activities can be conducted. Those at the camps are most often not allowed to leave the premises. This is similar to the situation of Sri Lankans stranded in Myanmar cyber camps,” he said. 

DIG Thalduwa further said that even though they are not allowed to venture outdoors, they are provided with their salaries.

“These scamming camps require a swimming pool for the leisure activities of the workers. They also need a house for their food requirements,” he said. 

The Police Spokesman said the scammers obtain locations under the pretext of operating a company and provide upfront payments for several months. 

“Initially the company might show as if operating with four persons, but later it could even be around 50 persons at one location. However, the numbers depend on the scope of their network. Then equipment such as laptops and desktops are brought to the location,” he said.

DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that these scammers not only target people in Sri Lanka, but globally as well. 

His comments come as over 150 foreign nationals, especially a large number of Chinese, have been arrested in the recent past for their involvement in online financial scams. (Newswire)

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At least eight (08) Sri Lankan war veterans have died while fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war, Police investigations have confirmed. 

Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa revealed that among the deceased war veterans, six had died in Russia and two had died in Ukraine. 

He further said that Police investigations have revealed that 83 Sri Lankan war veterans have so far been sent to Russia and Ukraine by human traffickers.

DIG Thalduwa said that among them 60 had been sent to Russia and 23 to Ukraine to be deployed in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. 

The Police have launched a probe into the deployment of Sri Lankan war veterans as mercenaries to fight in the Russia – Ukraine war after several human trafficking rackets were recently busted in Sri Lanka. 

This week, officials from the Criminal Investigations Department arrested a former Army Major General and a Sergeant Major for operating a human trafficking racket to deploy war veterans to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. 

Previously, two persons, including an Army Major General, were also arrested and remanded for their involvement in a similar human trafficking racket.

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence also confirmed that a number of its retired war veterans have died or sustained injuries after being sent to the Russian-Ukrainian war front as members of mercenary groups.

The Defence Ministry said several retired war veterans had been caught in a scheme by some illegal foreign job agents and had been sent to the Russian-Ukrainian war front as members of mercenary groups. (Newswire)

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A total of 83 murders have been reported so far in Sri Lanka this year (2024), according to the Police.

Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa told the media that the deaths were reported in 76 incidents reported during this period. 

He further said that from January to date, a total of 1,180 incidents of theft and 310 cases of robberies have been reported.

Stating that 20 shootings have been reported so far this year, DIG Thalduwa said 10 of the incidents are suspected to be linked to organized criminals. 

The Police Spokesman, however, assured that the Sri Lanka Police has taken several measures to curb crime in the country. (NewsWire)

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Sixteen (16) persons were killed and 98 injured in road accidents reported within the last 24 hours, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa stated. 

SSP Thalduwa told the media that several of the accidents have occurred due to reckless driving and a lack of adherence to road rules.

He further stated that reckless driving should never be excused as it poses a risk to the lives of the drivers, passengers, as well as pedestrians.

The Police spokesman also stressed that it was the responsibility of drivers, especially those in the public transportation sector to ensure the safety of passengers.

He pointed out that many of the accidents reported recently are those that could have been prevented. 

SSP Thalduwa also commended safe drivers, stating that they foster a culture of safe driving and preventing accidents.

The Police Spokesman urged motorists to be vigilant and ensure safe driving to minimize road accidents. (NewsWire)

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Pastor Jerome Fernando who heads a religious congregation will be arrested following his return to Sri Lanka, Police spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said today.

Stating that the pastor is reported to have left the country, SSP Thalduwa said he will be arrested upon his return over his recent controversial statements made related to Buddhism. 

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) obtained a travel ban against Pastor Jerome Fernando from the Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

However, it was revealed that the pastor had left the country on Sunday, May 14, 2023. 

Pastor Fernando is accused of having made derogatory statements related to Lord Buddha, Islam, and Hinduism in front of a packed congregation recently. 

Video footage of his remarks had caused an uproar among the followers of Buddhism in the country.

The Archdiocese of Colombo also clarified yesterday that Pastor Jerome Fernando was neither a Catholic priest nor connected to the Catholic Church of Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)

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