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Following the conclusion of his official term, Pradeep Nilanga Dela has been reappointed as the Acting Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.

The decision was made with the consent of the Mahanayake Theros of both the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters, the two highest monastic orders in Sri Lanka.

Dela’s previous term officially ended at midnight on September 7, 2025, marking the completion of his tenure as the Chief Lay Custodian of one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the country.

Until the official Diyawadana Nilame election is held, Pradeep Nilanga Dela will continue to oversee the temple’s operations, rituals, and cultural responsibilities in his acting capacity.

Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police F. U. Wootler, stated that out of 20 samples taken from two containers buried in a house in the Thalawa, Middeniya, five tested positive for crystal methamphetamine or ICE.

He emphasized that the police had successfully foiled a major attempt to manufacture ICE in Sri Lanka.

He further revealed that One suspect has already been arrested on the property and is in custody with the Western Province North Division for further investigation.

While crystal methamphetamine is typically imported, the police have successfully foiled an attempt to manufacture the drug domestically.

The spokesperson added that, using modern technology, an expert analysis will soon be presented to provide detailed information on the seized substances.

He also thanked the public for their support in these operations and urged continued cooperation with the police in preventing large-scale illegal and anti-social activities.

SLPP suspends membership of former local councillor Sampath Manamperi amid drug allegations

The General Secretary of SLPP Sagara Kariyawasam confirmed that, the party membership of Former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Pradeshiya Sabha member Sampath Manamperi has been suspended.

In a statement, Kariyawasam said that Manamperi is facing allegations of possessing raw materials used in drug production.

He added that the party will not show leniency towards members accused of such activities, and Manamperi’s party membership has been revoked with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, the brother of former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Pradeshiya Sabha member Sampath Manamperi has also been arrested over his alleged involvement with chemicals used to manufacture crystal methamphetamine or ICE in Middeniya.

Police confirmed that accordingly, 38-year-old Wijewickrama Manamperige Piyal Senadheera, is currently in custody.

According to information obtained from the interrogation of organized crime suspect Backhoe Saman, held at the Colombo North Crime Division, chemicals used to manufacture ICE were recovered yesterday from land belonging to Sampath Manamperi in Middeniya.

Sampath Manamperi is known to have had close ties with Backhoe Saman and reportedly left the area after the criminal group, including Saman, was brought under investigation.

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A new investigative report into the assassination of BBC Jaffna correspondent Nimalarajan Mylvaganam has cast fresh light on Sri Lanka’s systematic failure to hold perpetrators accountable for crimes against journalists.

The 70-page report, jointly published by the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) and REDRESS, provides a forensic analysis of the police investigation into Nimalarajan’s 2000 murder, exposing critical failures that, according to its authors, point to a broader pattern of state-enabled impunity.

The report notes that between 2000 and 2010, at least 44 journalists and media workers were killed during the country’s civil war. However, not a single perpetrator has been brought to justice.

“This level of impunity sends a chilling message to the few remaining journalists who risk their lives to report the truth — whether under self-censorship, exile, or threat,” said Yasmin Sooka, Executive Director of ITJP.

Perilous climate for journalists

Despite the murder taking place during a period of intense curfew and heightened military presence in a high-security zone surrounded by army checkpoints, police failed to secure or document the crime scene. No photographs were taken, nor was any proper forensic or medical evidence collected.

The report underscores how Nimalarajan’s house was never cordoned off, and several key security personnel who had been on duty that night were neither promptly interviewed nor adequately interrogated — some were not even identified. Mishandling of ballistics evidence further delayed and undermined forensic conclusions.

While credible threats to Nimalarajan’s life had been reported and multiple anonymous phone calls received before the killing, investigators chose instead to scrutinize his bank account — an action described in the report as "inexplicable."

In a deeply troubling revelation, suspects in the case were allegedly allowed to roam freely, commit additional crimes, and even leave the country, with reported assistance from the Sri Lankan security apparatus.

When interrogated, most suspects denied involvement and were released without charge. Some reportedly bore visible signs of torture and claimed they were forced into signing false confessions.

The EPDP connection

The most serious allegations implicate members of the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP), a government-aligned paramilitary group.

However, the police never once questioned EPDP leader Douglas Devananda, despite longstanding accusations linking his group to the killing. Instead, Devananda enjoyed uninterrupted political power for over two decades, serving as a Cabinet Minister in every administration since 2000 and only losing his ministerial post in 2024.

In stark contrast, Nimalarajan’s parents died in exile in Canada, still waiting for justice.

A fugitive in the UK

Due to the lack of credible domestic accountability, the United Kingdom has stepped in. On February 25, 2022, British police arrested a 48-year-old man in Northamptonshire in connection with Nimalarajan’s murder.

The arrest came as part of an active investigation by the UK Metropolitan Police’s War Crimes Team, examining alleged war crimes from the early 2000s Sri Lankan civil war period.

Though the suspect's identity remains officially undisclosed, he is widely believed to be an EPDP member known by the alias “Napoleon.”

Sri Lankan courts had issued an arrest warrant for him years earlier, but he had escaped the country.

UK authorities have since issued a public appeal for more evidence, reaffirming their commitment to the investigation. In 2023, a second arrest was made, relating to a different political attack in Jaffna in 2001 — further testament to the growing international scrutiny over Sri Lanka’s unsolved crimes.

“This case highlights how countries like the UK can play a pivotal role in ensuring accountability when the home state fails to act,” said Rupert Skilbeck, Director of REDRESS.

Nimalarajan’s enduring legacy

Nimalarajan Mylvaganam was one of the few independent voices reporting from Jaffna at the height of the civil war.

A contributor to BBC Sinhala, as well as several Tamil media outlets, he had recently filed critical reports on election violence and ballot rigging — just days before he was murdered on October 19, 2000, allegedly by EPDP operatives.

His legacy, however, lives on. The BBC’s London headquarters has named a conference room in his memory.

Each year, his former colleagues gather in Jaffna to honour the life of a journalist who dared to speak truth to power.

Launch of investigative report today (08) at SLFI

The public launch of the long-awaited investigative report into the assassination of journalist Mylvaganam Nimalarajan will take place today (08) at 2:30 p.m. at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) in Colombo.

The event is expected to feature reflections and commentary from leading voices in Sri Lanka’s media and civil society, including:

- Mandana Ismail Abeywickrama, senior journalist and social activist

- N. Vithyatharan, editor of the Uthayan newspaper

- K.W. Janaranjana, editor of Anidda newspaper

In addition, several other journalists are scheduled to offer brief interventions and perspectives on the report and the broader issue of impunity in crimes against the media.

The event is open to the public, and a special invitation has been extended by the Families of the Disappeared to all those concerned with justice, accountability, and press freedom in Sri Lanka.

(lankaleader.lk)

Supreme Court Judge S. Thurairajah has been appointed as a member of the Judicial Service Commission by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

He fills the vacant position left by the retirement of former Chief Justice Murdu Fernando.

Thurairajah, who was sworn in as a lawyer in 1988, has been serving as a Supreme Court Judge since 2019.

Former State Minister Nimal Lanza, who had been in remand custody in connection with an incident under the Firearms Ordinance, was released on bail today (08).

Lanza had surrendered to the Kochchikade Police on August 29 following a complaint regarding the above charges. He was subsequently arrested and presented before Negombo Chief Magistrate Rakitha Abeysinghe, who ordered him to be remanded until September 12, together with former Municipal Councilor Bandula Naotunna, over the same incident.

The case relates to an incident that occurred 18 years ago, on March 8, 2006, when an armed group allegedly entered the residence of Sunil Wilbert Silva at night, opened fire, and robbed property and jewelry worth Rs. 2.8 million. The charges were filed under Section 26 of the Firearms Ordinance, which classifies the offense as non-bailable. Accordingly, the Magistrate at that time rejected the bail application and ordered the accused to remain in custody until September 12.

The Road Development Authority (RDA) has identified nearly 10 dangerous locations along the Ella-Wellawaya road, between Ella and Ravana Ella Falls.

According to executive Engineer S. S. Hennayake a special study has been launched to assess these locations, while groundwork have already begun at sites that require urgent repairs.

The RDA says, a 26-kilometre stretch of road will be upgraded under this programme.

The Rs. 700 million allocation for accident prevention in the Badulla district is being utilized for this purpose.

The United National Party (UNP) has decided to continue engaging cooperatively with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and other opposition political parties, in accordance with the consensus reached during initial discussions.

Accordingly, the UNP has also proposed the establishment of a committee or a similar mechanism to facilitate coordination with the SJB and other opposition parties.

In recent times, the UNP has engaged in discussions with opposition parties regarding ways to collaborate on matters of common interest.

UNP Chairman Former Minister Wajira Abeywardana stated that the party has resolved to consistently implement the points of agreement reached through those discussions.

Accordingly, he further noted that the UNP has decided to work transparently and constructively with the SJB going forward.

(adaderana.lk)

Following a recent accident involving a school van and a tipper-truck transporting sand, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has imposed restrictions on transporting mineral sand during school hours.

Deepani Weerakoon, Director General of the Bureau, said mineral transportation will now be restricted during morning hours and after school hours.

She added that vehicles transporting mineral must be parked in designated areas with sufficient space on the road during these restricted periods.

The Ministry of Transport announced that, with effect from today (08), traffic regulations will be strictly enforced.

According to Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Gunasekara, vehicles found to be unfit for road use, as well as those with unauthorized color alterations, will be subject to inspection. Police officers across the island have been assigned to carry out these checks.

He further stated that strict action will also be taken against vehicles fitted with unauthorized accessories such as additional multi-colored lights, illegal stickers, advertisements, graphic displays on the front, rear, or body of vehicles, as well as vehicles equipped with loud exhaust systems, modified silencers, or noise-generating pipes.

A total of four individuals, including a 22-year-old have died in four separate road accidents reported yesterday (06) across various areas in the country.

Accidents were reported in Kadawatha, Maradankadawala, Vellaveli, and Puthukkudiyiruppu, police stated.

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The United Nations Human Rights Council will hold its sixtieth regular session from 8 September to 8 October 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

The session will open under the presidency of Ambassador Jürg Lauber of Switzerland.

The opening will be addressed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk.

During the session, the Council will hold 37 interactive dialogues with the High Commissioner, Special Procedures mandate holders, expert mechanisms, investigative mechanisms, and representatives of other bodies.

It will hold an interactive dialogue on the report of the Office of the High Commissioner on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, is set to deliver a statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session in Geneva, representing the Government of Sri Lanka.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the address is scheduled for 3:45 PM Sri Lanka time, and will focus on the country’s recent progress and future plans regarding the protection and promotion of human rights.

This high-level session follows the recent visit of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, to Sri Lanka, and comes in the wake of the newly elected government led by the National People's Power (NPP). The Ministry stated that the government will present its latest initiatives, achievements, and strategic roadmap for advancing human rights in the country.

During the visit, Minister Herath is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with High Commissioner Türk and several senior diplomatic officials in Geneva.

Joining the Minister is Dayani Mendis, Director General of the Human Rights Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The delegation departed for Switzerland on Sunday (7) and will remain in Geneva until September 11.

(News First)

Any changes to the Colombo port city have no constitutional blockades, said former minister and lawyer Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.

With 149 votes received in favour of Colombo Port City Economic Commission act no. 11 of 2021, it cannot be considered as having received a two-third parliamentary majority as per clause 157 of the constitution, he said in a letter to president Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Incidentally, Rajapakshe did not vote in favour of the act.

He said president Dissanayake now has the opportunity to correct the historic wrong done, while explaining the ulterior motive behind the move by the rulers at the time to introduce an act in parliament, although the project could easily have been carried out through an agreement with the investor.

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