chennai Archives - Ceylon Independent

Stalin, Karunanidhi’s son and political heir, elected DMK chief unopposed

28Aug

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

World

Stalin, Karunanidhi’s son and political heir, elected DMK chief unopposed

MK Stalin has been elected as DMK president, a post which has been lying vacant since the demise of M Karunanidhi, at the party’s General Council meeting today. The 65-year-old leader had filed his nomination papers at Anna Arivalayam, the party headquarters, in Chennai on Sunday. All along considered the political heir apparent of his father, Stalin was elected unopposed as he was the sole candidate in the fray at the close of nomination Monday evening. Chants hailing Stalin as “Thalapathy” (Commander) rented the Kalaignar Arangam where the meeting was underway even as the General Council members cheered with loud applause. Stalin, who has been handling the party since the run-up to the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections in 2016, was appointed ‘working president’ of the party in 2017....

26Jul

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

Indians caught smuggling in gold at BIA

Three Indian nationals have been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for attempting to smuggle in gold from Chennai. Customs have found 06 gold pieces worth over Rs 2.9 million pasted underneath the suspects’ feet. All 3 arrested Indians are residents of Tamilnadu in India, according to the Customs officials. Meanwhile, a Sri Lankan female trying to smuggle in over 5kg gold yesterday (25), had been caught at BIA and fined an amount of Rs 2.5 million. According to the Customs, the value of the gold found on her had been worth nearly Rs 37 million. The arrested suspect was revealed to be a 30 year old living in Wellampitiya area. The gold haul smuggled in from Dubai was forfeited.

Sri Lankan nabbed at airport with an assortment of drugs worth Rs. 4.7 million

28Jun

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

Sri Lankan nabbed at airport with an assortment of drugs worth Rs. 4.7 million

Sri Lanka Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake have arrested a Sri Lankan who was attempting to smuggle in an assortment of drugs including heroin, crystal meth and hashish worth Rs 4.7 million. Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) officers attached to the airport arrested the 57-year-old when he arrived from Chennai this morning. The PNB officers found 320 grams of heroin, 52 grams of ice (crystal meth) and 52 grams of hashish in his possession. The drugs were carefully concealed in a false bottom in the suspect's luggage. The suspect will be produced before the Negombo Magistrate today.

Kashmir: India tourist killed by stone throwing protesters

8May

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

World

Kashmir: India tourist killed by stone throwing protesters

An Indian tourist has died after being hit by a stone thrown by protesters in Indian-administered Kashmir. The man, who was from the southern city of Chennai (formerly Madras), was travelling to Gulmarg, a popular skiing destination in the region, when his vehicle got caught in the protests, police told BBC Urdu. A local teenager was also injured. Police are investigating the incident, but no arrests have been made. It is unclear what the protests were about. While clashes with security forces are frequent in the region, protesters in Kashmir have generally not targeted tourists. Since 1989, the Muslim-majority state has seen an armed revolt against Indian rule. Kashmir's Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said the attack was "heartbreaking" after she met the victim's family. "M...

All women crew to take Air India flight to Sri Lanka on International Women’s Day

8Mar

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL, Main Story

All women crew to take Air India flight to Sri Lanka on International Women’s Day

To mark the occasion of International Women's Day today all women crew would fly to Sri Lanka on Air India flight to and from Colombo. This unique gesture in Sri Lanka is being appreciated world-wide. Air India, the iconic airline of India is operating an ALL WOMEN CREW flight on Thursday, 8 March from Chennai to Colombo and then from Colombo to New Delhi. Captain V Roopa and Captain Nimisha Goel will be operating the flight. Air India's Sri Lanka office is separately commemorating International Women's Day at Air India office at Bristol Street in Colombo. Leading Ladies from Travel and hospitality field will be hosted at a special function. Coincidentally, Air India at Sri Lanka is represented by women, in all key positions - Mrs Alice Joe Paul, Country Manager for Sri Lanka,...

Three Indian nationals smuggling gold arrested at Sri Lanka’s Colombo airport

24Feb

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

Three Indian nationals smuggling gold arrested at Sri Lanka’s Colombo airport

Sri Lanka Customs officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake have arrested three Indian nationals smuggling over Rs. 5 million worth gold biscuits in their luggage. The trio had arrived in a SriLankan Airlines flight from Chennai, India on Thursday (22) afternoon. The Customs officials found the gold biscuits hidden in the handles of their traveling bags when the bags were x-rayed. It is estimated that the gold stock is worth Rs. 5.5 million. Director of Customs O.S. M. Jamier and Deputy Customs Director Vipula Minuwanpitiya are conducting further investigations.

JUST IN: Two killed in Dewundara sea collision

10Jan

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

JUST IN: Two killed in Dewundara sea collision

Two people have died following a collision between a container and a multi-day fishing trawler off the Dewundara seas. One person is still unaccounted for. According to Navy media spokesperson Commander Dinesh Bandara, the collision occurred 13 nautical miles off the Dewundara coast. He further noted that a search operation is currently underway for the missing person. Two Dora vessels have been dispatched. The navy media spokesperson further added that the said container vessel which set sail from Chennai was on its way to the Hambantota port after its arrival at the Colombo Harbor.

India to facilitate ferry travel for Sri Lankan pilgrims visiting religious festival in Tamil Nadu

23Dec

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

India to facilitate ferry travel for Sri Lankan pilgrims visiting religious festival in Tamil Nadu

The Government of India has agreed to facilitate the travel of Sri Lankan pilgrims through a ferry from Kankasanthurai in the North to Chennai in the State of Tamil Nadu. India's Ministry of External Affairs in a statement issued Thursday said that the central Government was approached on behalf of Lord Shiva devotees in northern Sri Lanka, who had expressed a desire to visit the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram to participate in a religious festival. The "Maarkazhi Thiruvaathirai" (Aarudraa Dharshana Festival), will be held next week (24 December 2017 - 3 January 2018). This is a major festival at a particularly sacred temple for both Indians and Sri Lankans. In response to the request, Government of India has agreed to facilitate the travel of pilgrims through a ferry from...

India’s Tube Investments to acquire two bicycle companies in Sri Lanka for $3.34 mn

8Dec

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

Business

India’s Tube Investments to acquire two bicycle companies in Sri Lanka for $3.34 mn

Chennai-based Tube Investments of India Limited, a company that specialized in engineering bicycles has entered into an agreement to acquire 80 percent stake in two Colombo-based premium bicycle makers for $3.34 million. TI Cycles of India, is one of the leading bicycle manufacturers in India, a part of the USD 4.7 Billion Murugappa Group. The company in a stock market disclosure said on 7th December it entered into an agreement with Mr. Shuyuan Gan, the promoter and 100 percent shareholder of Great Cycles (Pvt) Ltd and Creative Cycles (Pvt) Ltd, both in Colombo to acquire 80 percent stake of the share capital of each company for $3.34 million and a sum equivalent to 80% of the applicable net working capital as on 30th November 2017. It said the acquisition of the two companies en...