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12 nabbed for smuggling of over 14,000 sea cucumbers
The Navy has apprehended 12 suspects on 28 July 2026, during a search operation covering the South Bar beach and adjoining coastal areas in Mannar, seizing more than 14,000 sea cucumbers that were being smuggled by sea and prepared for overland transportation without the required permits.
The operation also led to the seizure of 3 dinghies and 2 motorcycles.
The operation was conducted by personnel attached to SLNS Gajaba of the North Central Naval Command, following credible information. During the search, naval personnel inspected 3 suspicious dinghies and 2 motorcycles, uncovering this consignment of 14,072 sea cucumbers.
The 12 suspects, aged between 24 and 46, were identified as residents of the Mannar area. The suspects, together with the seized stock of sea cucumbers, dinghies and motorcycles, were handed over to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries in Mannar for onward legal proceedings.
(navy.lk)
Another pvt. hospital fined for overcharging blood tests
Legal action was instituted before the Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court by the Vavuniya District Investigation Officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) against Abisha Hospital (Pvt) Ltd, located on Hospital Road, Vavuniya, for violating Direction No. 67 issued under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act by charging above the prescribed maximum fee for Full Blood Count (FBC) blood tests.
During a special raid conducted by CAA officers on July 14, 2026, it was revealed that the hospital had charged Rs. 550/- for an FBC test despite the Government-prescribed maximum fee being Rs. 400/-.
When the case was taken up before the Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court yesterday (July 28) the Court, having considered the facts presented, imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000/- on the defendant hospital.
Consumers are requested to report any private hospitals or medical laboratories charging fees above the prescribed maximum rates by contacting the CAA through the 1977 hotline
Sri Lanka to send 10,000 workers to Israel in 2026 as labour ties deepen
Sri Lanka to send 10,000 workers to Israel in 2026 as labour ties deepen by Thusiyan
Sri Lanka is moving to send 10,000 workers to Israel over the course of 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath, has announced, deepening Colombos labour ties with Israel.
Herath made the announcement while handing travel permits to 164 workers bound for Israels construction and infrastructure sector, who were selected from a waiting list of around 3,700 for construction jobs. So far this year 2,500 Sri Lankans have been deployed to Israel, with openings prepared for a further 6,500 and around 1,000 more expected in a new sector, working to
Lawyers unite against unethical bid to extend Sri Lankan judges tenure
Lawyers unite against unethical bid to extend Sri Lankan judges tenure by Thusiyan
Sri Lankas government is pressing ahead with a constitutional amendment to raise the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges, despite unanimous opposition from the countrys bar association and warnings that the move threatens the independence of the judiciary.
The cabinet approved the proposal on Monday, government spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said, under which the mandatory retirement age of Supreme Court judges would rise by two years to 67, that of Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65, and lower court
We will not give up our land: Myliddy residents reject Palaly airport acquisition
We will not give up our land: Myliddy residents reject Palaly airport acquisition by Thara
Residents of Myliddy have held a detailed discussion with Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi MP S. Shritharan over the release of land in Valikamam North, warning that they will not surrender their ancestral property after the Sri Lankan government issued written notices to acquire it for the proposed expansion of Palaly Airport.
During the meeting, affected residents expressed deep concern over the recent notices, which target land earmarked for the airport project in an area already held under heavy military occupation.
The res


