News

The Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling affirming the rights of minors in police custody, ordering that parents must be allowed to see their child within six hours of arrest.

The decision was delivered in response to a fundamental rights petition filed by 16-year-old Kamaladeen Ilham Ahmad and his father, residents of Hataraliyadda, Kalutara.

The Court further directed the Inspector General of Police to instruct all officers that a minor must be shown to their parents before being presented to a Magistrate.

The petition was filed after the minor was arrested in connection with a gold theft, later acquitted and released by the Magistrate’s Court.

The petition challenged the legality of the arrest and the treatment of the child while in custody.

In a decisive move, the Supreme Court ruled that the arrest was unlawful, and held the acting Officer-in-Charge of the Hataraliyadda Police Station at the time personally accountable. The officer was ordered to pay Rs. 300,000 in compensation to the child from his personal funds.

Additionally, the Court ordered Rs. 75,000 to be paid to the child’s father as compensation.

The case was heard before a bench comprising Justices Janak de Silva, Menaka Wijesundara, and Sampath Abeykoon.

The judgment noted that the child had been subjected to physical assault and cruel treatment while in custody.

It also confirmed that the child was released after being presented to the Magistrate.

The Supreme Court concluded that the arrest and subsequent assault constituted a clear breach of the child’s constitutional right.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized the importance of national unity and reconciliation during his visit to Jaffna, stating that the outcome of the general election marked a turning point in bringing the country together after years of division.

Speaking on the need to overcome challenges collectively, the President stressed that future generations must never be allowed to divide the nation. He assured that his government is taking proactive steps to resolve the people’s problems, with special attention given to the economic hardships faced by communities in the Northern Province.

Highlighting the region’s agricultural significance, President Dissanayake pledged to restore land rights to local farmers. He noted that many lands had been taken over during the war for military purposes, but with peace now prevailing, there is no justification for retaining them under the assumption of future conflict.

“We are committed to releasing every possible plot of land and reopening every possible road for the benefit of the people,” he said.

The President also addressed the importance of supporting the fishing community, the backbone of the Northern economy. He announced the commencement of Phase III of the Myliddy Fisheries Harbour development, along with plans to upgrade several other fisheries harbours to improve livelihoods and infrastructure.

“This government is working not only to prevent the re-emergence of war, but to build a future rooted in peace,” he said.

The court has granted permission to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to detain five alleged underworld figures for 90 days under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

The suspects identified as — “Backhoe Saman,” “Thembili Lahiru,” Kehelbaddara Padme, “Commando Salinda,” and “Panadura Nilanga” — were among a group arrested in Indonesia in a joint operation by Jakarta Police and Sri Lanka’s CID.

They were brought back to Sri Lanka last week and are currently being interrogated over their alleged involvement in organized crime.

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation announced that fuel prices will be revised with effect from midnight.

Accordingly, the price of a litre of Auto Diesel has been reduced by Rs.6 to Rs.283, while Super Diesel has been reduced by Rs.12 to Rs.313. Meanwhile, 92 Octane Petrol has been reduced by Rs.6, bringing the new price down to Rs.299.

The CPC said the revision comes into effect from August 31 midnight.

Senior Superintendent Of Police Satheesh Ranjan Hiyare Gamage has been ordered to remain in remand custody until September 16, following serious allegations of bribery and money laundering.

The directive was issued today (2) by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

Appearing on behalf of the Bribery Commission, Police Inspector Gamini Abeysinghe revealed that investigators had uncovered over Rs. 16 million in a private bank account linked to the suspect.

This account was reportedly not among the three previously examined during earlier stages of the investigation.

Further revelations indicate that the funds were deposited by two individuals closely associated with Hiyare Gamage—his driver, Wijesinghe, and a police constable named Asitha.

Investigators believe these transactions are directly tied to illicit financial activities.

The case is scheduled to be taken up again on September 16.

Former Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake has been summoned to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) tomorrow morning (1st Sep).

Police stated that the summons relates to an investigation into former President Ranil Wickremesinghe over allegations of misusing public funds amounting to Rs. 16.6 million for a private overseas trip.

The Ministry of Transport says steps are being taken to renovate the Colombo Fort Railway Station with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

According to the ministry, under this initiative, the station is set to be developed into a modern facility equipped with upgraded amenities.

An estimated budget of Rs. 1,395 million has been allocated for the project, which is expected to be completed within a 15-month timeframe.

The ministry added that tenders have already been called, and development work is scheduled to commence by the end of this year.

Radiation therapy at Maharagama Apeksha Hospital has been disrupted.

Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni said all three radiation machines stopped working due to a faulty air conditioning system.

Repairs to the AC system have now started.

The Deputy Minister stated that radiation therapy services could resume within two days.

Many patients at Apeksha Hospital are currently suffering due to the lack of radiation treatment.

The Department of Meteorology has announced that showers or thundershowers may occur in the Uva Province, as well as in the Ampara and Batticaloa Districts. Furthermore, strong winds of around 30–40 km/h are likely in the western slopes of the Central Hills, in the North Central and North Western Provinces, and in the Hambantota District.

Today (02) at 12:10 noon, the sun will be directly overhead at Andigama, Balalla, Migaswewa, Boragaswewa, Bakamoona, Aralaganwila, Chenkaladi, and Eravur.

From August 28 to September 07, as the sun moves southward, it will be positioned directly overhead Sri Lanka, close to the equatorial latitudes.

The Aircraft carrying the five organized criminals, including Kehelbaddara Padme, who were arrested in Indonesia, arrived in Sri Lanka from Jakarta International Airport.

The wife and child of Backhoe Saman, an organized criminal arrested in Indonesia, arrived in the island yesterday afternoon and are currently in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department.

Six people, including the leaders of three organized crime gangs led by Kehelbaddara Padme, were arrested in Indonesia the day before yesterday in a joint international operation carried out by the Sri Lankan Police, the Indonesian Police, and Interpol.

They include organized crime gang leaders known as Commando Salintha, Backhoe Saman, and Panadure Nilanga.

The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) today (02) launched a 24-hour token strike at the Ratnapura Teaching Hospital, citing unresolved issues regarding the conduct of the hospital's Director.

Although the Ministry of Health previously agreed to conduct a fair inquiry and ensure a safe working environment, those commitments have not been implemented. The GMOA notes that holding an inquiry while the Director remains in office undermines transparency while staff are also facing intimidation and risks of document tampering. Reports of external groups threatening hospital staff have further created an unsafe environment.

In Protest, the GMOA branch of the Ratnapura Teaching Hospital has launched a 24--hour token strike starting today (02) at 8:00 a.m and will continue until 8:00 a.m. tomorrow (03). Emergency and life-saving services will continue, but all routine services will be disrupted.

The GMOA stresses that full responsibility for this action lies with the hospital Director and the Ministry of Health authorities who failed to act on their promises.

Media Spokesperson

Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA)

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that future incentives will be introduced to encourage export diversification and the development of value-added products.

The President further said that the role of governments is to support industries rather than hinder them and he underscored the necessity of consulting with relevant sectors during the regulation drafting process, ensuring sufficient time is allocated for their execution.

The President made these remarks yesterday (29) at the Presidential Secretariat during the 2026 pre-budget discussion with private sector representatives from the agriculture and food & beverage sectors.

The meeting focused on providing facilities for farmers, exports, tax concessions, recycling and the legal environment affecting the sector.