News
Beira Lake to Undergo Immediate Clean-Up Through Seawater Introduction Project
A special technical project aimed at cleaning Colombo’s Beira Lake by introducing seawater into the lake is set to commence as an immediate and short-term solution.
Sri Lankan business tycoon and engineer Nahil Wijesuriya has reportedly agreed to provide full financial support for the initiative.
The project will be jointly implemented by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), the Urban Development Authority (UDA), and the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC).
Meanwhile, long-term measures to maintain the cleanliness and aesthetic value of Beira Lake are expected to be carried out through allocations provided under this year’s government budget.
The initiative was discussed during a special meeting held today (09) at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, chaired and guided by its Chief Incumbent, Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera.
Representatives from both the public and private sectors participated in the meeting to discuss the Beira Lake Immediate Clean-Up Project and explore the implementation of future phases.
Further discussions were also held on the next steps required to continue the restoration and improvement of the lake.
Opposition Leader says govt blocked his questions on Negombo unrest
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has accused the Government of blocking questions he sought to raise in Parliament regarding the Negombo Prison unrest, claiming this amounts to a violation of Standing Orders.
Speaking in parliament yesterday (08), Premadasa said the Opposition needs to know whether the Government has established the cause of the clash at Negombo Prison, and if so, what that cause was.
He also sought clarity on who authorised the intervention of the Police Special Task Force (STF), the legal provisions under which that order was given, and whether the order was issued in a timely manner.
He further asked for details on the loss of life and damage to property reported so far, and whether an independent and impartial investigation would be carried out with its findings presented to Parliament.
*Compensation and prison conditions raised*
The Opposition Leader said information is also required on the compensation the Government intends to provide to injured and deceased inmates, as well as to the families of prison officers who lost their lives.
He raised concerns over the extended period during which the Prisons Department functioned without a permanent Commissioner General, and asked whether existing overcrowding and security weaknesses in the prison system had contributed to the incident.
He called on the Government to present a national programme aimed at protecting the lives of inmates and preventing similar incidents in the future.
*"Privilege has been violated"*
Premadasa said denying him the opportunity to raise these questions amounted to a violation of his privilege, stressing that his questions were not intended as political debate but as an effort to gather factual information on the incident.
He said the rejection of his question to the subject minister during the previous day's Adjournment Debate, along with the absence of specific information provided during that debate, amounted to a violation of the public's right to know the truth and, by extension, a violation of freedom of speech.
He noted that a prisoner transferred from Negombo to Boossa Prison following the unrest had since died, and said it remains unclear what conditions prevail in other prisons across the country. He said this must be investigated and appropriate action taken.
He accused the Leader of the House of presenting a misleading interpretation of the matter and called for accurate data and information to be tabled before Parliament.
*Standing Orders*
The Opposition Leader referred to Standing Order 27 (2), noting that except where the Speaker rules a question unruly, all questions submitted to the Secretary General must be placed on the Order Book for reply no earlier than seven full days from the date of notification.
He noted that under the same provision, a question of general importance may be raised by the Leader of the Opposition or the leader of a recognised political party following formal notice to the relevant minister.
He said he was denied the opportunity to raise his question on the Negombo Prison unrest in the House on July 08, 2026, under this provision.
Sugeeshwara Bandara further remanded till July 22; police reveal conflicting statements from ex-president
Sugeeshwara Bandara, the former private secretary to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has been further remanded by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court following his arrest over allegations of receiving two salaries from two separate government institutions.
During the court proceedings today (08), Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena rejected the bail application filed on behalf of the suspect.
The Magistrate stated that no exceptional circumstances had been presented by the defence to justify releasing Bandara on bail.
The Central Crime Investigation Bureau presented a further report on the case, informing the court that two statements have been recorded from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
According to the police, the former President initially stated that he used money from a presidential expenditure head for his private secretary's salary, but later claimed in a second statement that the funds were actually handed over to another individual.
Investigators also revealed that statements have been taken from three directors of the Special Projects division who claimed they did not know each other.
The police requested the court to deny bail because releasing the suspect could lead to witness intimidation, noting that it will take considerable time to record statements from more than 120 employees attached to the Special Project.
The Magistrate questioned the police on whether a definitive list of tasks carried out under the Special Project exists, to which investigators replied that inquiries are ongoing.
The court also questioned the police regarding allegations that project funds had been deployed for politicians, prompting the Magistrate to order a detailed report on that matter for the next hearing before remanding the suspect until 22 July.
Govt ignored advance intelligence on Negombo prison unrest - Harshana Rajakaruna
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harshana Rajakaruna said that government authorities failed to act despite receiving intelligence reports about the volatile situation at the Negombo prison three to four days before the unrest erupted.
Speaking in parliament yesterday (07), he stressed that the incident did not occur unexpectedly.
He pointed out that officials were fully aware of the rising tensions but failed to implement proper management or make decisive choices to prevent the violence.
According to the opposition lawmaker, the failure at Negombo prison reflects a weakness in current national leadership and management.
He drew parallels to what he described as the government’s inefficient handling of previous crises involving both the farming and business communities.
Noting that the government lacks the experience required to identify or address national problems effectively, he said that failing to prevent such destruction when intelligence was already in the hands of authorities indicates a serious administrative failure.
Dengue Outbreak Affects University Students as Colombo Campuses Introduce Preventive Measures
A total of 71 students at the University of Colombo have contracted dengue fever, with five students currently receiving hospital treatment, Vice Chancellor Professor Indika Karunathilake said.
The Vice Chancellor stated that most of the reported dengue cases were identified among students of the Faculty of Arts. Due to the impact of the situation on students’ academic activities, the university administration has decided to conduct lectures of several faculties through online and hybrid methods for one week.
Professor Karunathilake said the university has introduced several measures to control the spread of dengue and is closely monitoring the condition of students who are undergoing treatment in hospitals.
He explained that the decision to shift lectures online was taken considering that adequate rest is essential for students recovering from dengue fever.
The Vice Chancellor added that the dengue situation within the university has now been brought under control. He also urged students experiencing fever symptoms to seek medical advice and follow guidance provided by health authorities.
Clarifying the situation, Professor Karunathilake said the University of Colombo has not been closed due to the dengue cases and there are no plans to suspend academic activities.
Meanwhile, the University of Moratuwa has closed all faculties for two weeks due to concerns over the spread of dengue fever.
The University of the Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo has also announced a temporary closure of its premises following a dengue and fever outbreak. The university is scheduled to reopen on July 13.
Are govt bigwigs ‘high caste’ to call farmers ‘low caste’? – Marikkar
The government that swept to power on the back of farmers' struggles is today insulting those very farmers by branding them as "low caste", SJB MP S.M. Marikkar said.
He recalled that prior to the election, government leaders had declared that once the mud is washed off, a farmer is fit even for kingship.
Marikkar further noted that by denigrating the farming community as "low caste", government leaders are behaving as though they themselves belong to the "high castes".
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