April 29, Colombo (LNW): The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) intercepted a Pakistani boat off the Porbandar coast in Gujarat, seizing 86 kilograms of suspected heroin valued at INR 602 crore destined for Sri Lanka via Tamil Nadu, a report by The Indian Express revealed.

Fourteen crew members were arrested in the operation conducted jointly with the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Sunday (28).

The seizure follows intelligence received by ATS Superintendent of Police KK Patel, indicating the transit of narcotics by Haji Aslam alias Babu Balock, a Pakistani drug operative, according to report.

The vessel named ‘Alraza’ was reportedly dispatched from Karachi to deliver heroin and methamphetamine near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) off Porbandar.

Upon identification of the suspicious vessel 180 nautical miles off Porbandar, the ICG and Gujarat ATS attempted to board it for inspection.

However, the crew resisted, prompting the use of force to stop their escape.

One crew member sustained a bullet injury during the operation.

All 14 accused, residents of Lasbela in Pakistan’s Balochistan, including the boat’s master Nazir Hussain Azam Khan, who were on the ship en route to Sri Lanka, are being brought to Porbandar for further investigation.

Khan, aged 62, received medical attention for his injury and is currently stable.

This operation follows another successful interception earlier in the week, where the NCB and ATS seized mephedrone and chemical drugs worth INR 300 crore from laboratories in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

April 29, Colombo (LNW): Multiple political parties have commenced preparations to celebrate the International Labour Day (May Day) on the 1st of May this year.

The United National Party (UNP) will hold its rally at Maligawatta, featuring the presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, announced Party General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB) May Day rallies will take place at Chatham Street, Pettah, and Talawakelle, according to MP Tissa Attanayake.

MP Sanjeewa Edirimanne disclosed that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) rally will be held at Campbell Park, Borella.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) rally is scheduled at the Municipal Council Grounds in Gampaha, with a senior member noting the expected attendance of all party members.

Under the theme “Rata Hadana Visandumata Jana Balaya Eka Pelata” (The Power of the People Aligns to Build the Country), the National People’s Power (NPP) will organise May Day rallies nationwide.

In Colombo, the May Day March will commence at 2 pm from the BRC Ground, followed by the rally at 3 pm at the CWW Kannangara Mawatha.

Jaffna’s May Day Rally is set for 10 am at the Nanda Selva Theatre, while in Matara, the march will start at 2 pm from Rahula Junction, followed by a rally at Matara Beach Park at 3.30 pm.

Lastly, the Anuradhapura May Day Rally will be held at the Anuradhapura Public Stadium at 3.30 pm.

April 29, Colombo (LNW): Opposing political factions may collaborate to obstruct the National Peoples Power (NPP) ascent to power, Party Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, addressing a recent event in Stockholm, Sweden.

Dissanayaka highlighted ongoing instability in Sri Lanka, particularly citing unresolved questions surrounding the Easter Sunday carnage, which took away more than 270 lives in 2019.

He indicated that various rival factions, including figures like former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa, and current President Ranil Wickremesinghe, are contemplating uniting to counter the NPP’s influence in the upcoming presidential election.

However, he noted potential hurdles stemming from personal conflicts between Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa, the current Leader of the Opposition, despite shared policy objectives in this coalition.

Dissanayaka suggested that their aim is to impede the NPP’s progress and prevent its ascension to power.

Regarding the timing of the Presidential Election, the NPP Leader hinted at potential dates, suggesting either September 28 or October 5, 2024.

Dissanayaka called on supporters to engage actively, encouraging them to visit Sri Lanka during this period, advocate for NPP perspectives on social media, and discuss the importance of national development with their relatives.

Furthermore, Dissanayaka raised questions about the Easter Sunday attacks, particularly concerning possible collaboration between the perpetrators and those responsible for preventing such incidents.

He highlighted specific incidents, such as the case of Jameel, who failed to detonate a bomb at the Taj Hotel and later attempted to do so in Dehiwala, only to be intercepted by intelligence officials.

Dissanayaka also questioned the role of individuals like ‘Podi Zahran‘ and the circumstances surrounding the alleged death or disappearance of Sarah Jasmine, emphasising the need for clarity on these matters to address ongoing instability in the country.

April 29, Colombo (LNW): In a bid to proactively address potential tensions with India, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) faction, led by Nimal Siripala de Silva as acting chairman, recently met with Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha.

The purpose of the meeting was to officially distance themselves from remarks attributed to their former Chairman, Maithripala Sirisena, regarding alleged Indian involvement in the Easter Sunday attacks, Daily Mirror reported citing a reliable source.

Media reports previously circulated claims of Sirisena implicating India in the attacks during his statement to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Sirisena’s recent controversial statements, suggesting knowledge of the masterminds behind the Easter Sunday carnage, have added complexity to the party’s internal dynamics.

However, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles clarified in Parliament last week that the former President did not specifically name any Sri Lankan or Sri Lankan organisation in his CID statement.

Presently, the SLFP is grappling with internal divisions, with Sirisena restrained from acting as party chairman due to a legal injunction.

Representatives of the faction opposed to Sirisena, including MPs Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Duminda Dissanayake, Suren Raghavan, and Faizer Mustapha, met with the Indian envoy to assert their disavowal of the ex-President’s purported claims and stress the importance of maintaining cordial relations with India.

The SLFP is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with a faction led by Minister Siripala de Silva and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, who seek to wrest control of the party by sidelining Sirisena.

April 29, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Teachers Service Union has announced its intention to initiate trade union action to address existing salary disparities within the education sector.

Deans and teachers from National Education Academies, Government Teacher Colleges, and Teaching Centres will participate in a token strike to highlight these disparities, according to Union Secretary Dhammika Mirihana.

Mirihana emphasised that besides their salaries, no allowances are provided to them, resulting in unfair treatment.

April 29, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has made a partial payment of US $ 35 million out of the total debt of US $ 250 million owed to Iran for oil purchases made in 2012, a report by Daily Mirror said quoting an official.

The delay in payment was initially due to sanctions imposed on Iran.

Subsequently, the Sri Lankan government decided to address the outstanding dues through a barter agreement involving tea in exchange for oil.

A source familiar with the matter revealed that as of the end of February, Sri Lanka had successfully settled US $ 35 million of the owed amount, with an additional US $ 10 million slated for imminent settlement.

Although the tea-for-oil arrangement was formalised in December 2021, the export process encountered delays attributed to the prevailing economic challenges in the country.