News

It has been reported that the Attorney General’s Department is preparing to file indictments in connection with more than 20 controversial incidents that occurred in the past.

Accordingly, a number of former ministers and officials are expected to face such indictments. Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Colombo Additional Magistrate, Liyan Warushavithana, yesterday (Sept. 2) that indictments have already been filed before the Colombo High Court against four suspects, including former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.

The case was filed on the allegation that, in late 2014, a sum of Rs. 61,461,100 obtained from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation under the pretext of providing relief to persons displaced by floods in the Bingiriya and Narammala areas of Kurunegala, had not been used for that purpose, but instead was utilized for propaganda activities during the 2015 Presidential Election.

The four accused are: former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa; his wife, Dr. Dhammika Shirani Sumanaratne, who served as his private secretary; former CPC Chairman S. Amarasekara; and Anura Senewiratne, the former coordinating secretary to the Minister.

Upon considering the submissions made by the CID, the Magistrate concluded the proceedings pending before the Magistrate’s Court in relation to the matter, directing that the accused should appear before the High Court once notice is received.

The four suspects have already been released on bail.

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.

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (03) ordered the acquittal of former Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara from charges of criminal assault and criminal intimidation against an elevator operator at Police Headquarters.

The complaint had been lodged by A.H. Samarakoon Banda, an elevator operator attached to the Criminal Investigation Department and a resident of Ragama, alleging that on April 11, 2017, the former IGP attempted to assault him and threatened him with abusive language.

Announcing the verdict, the Fort Magistrate’s Court stated that it concluded the former IGP had not acted with the intent to commit an assault.

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.

Sri Lanka Police marks its 159th Anniversary Day today (03). The first police station was established on 3rd September 1866, with G.W.R. Campbell appointed as the first Inspector General of Police, and the date is regarded as the founding day of the Sri Lanka Police.

A special commemorative ceremony will be held today (03) at the Police Field Force Headquarters. In preparation for the event, the Colombo Traffic Division has announced a special traffic plan.

Accordingly, The bus halt in front of the Police Field Force Headquarters (on the Colombo outbound route) will be temporarily shifted to the bus halt at the Havelock Road–Fonseka Road junction from 2:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on 03.09.2025.

Heavy vehicle movement (containers and tippers) will be restricted along Havelock Road, between Thummulla Junction and Thibirigasyaya Junction, within the Bambalapitiya Police Division, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on 03.09.2025.

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 Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who has been taken into custody and remanded, was produced before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Senaratne, against whom an arrest warrant had been issued, was taken into custody and remanded following his appearance before court on August 29.

On that occasion, Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka S. Bodaragama directed prison authorities to produce him before the Commission at 9.00 a.m. today (03) to record a statement.

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.

Italy’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Maria Tripodi, is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka today (03).

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, she will remain in the country until the 5th of this month.

During her visit, Deputy Minister Tripodi will co-chair the first Sri Lanka–Italy Political Consultations with Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra, where an MoU will be signed to establish a formal framework for bilateral dialogue.

She is also scheduled to hold discussions with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mr. Vijitha Herath.

This marks the highest-level visit from Italy to Sri Lanka in nearly a decade.

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 Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Resources has looked into how the compensation from the X-Press Pearl ship disaster has been used.

The Committee, chaired by MP Hector Appuhamy, asked for a detailed report showing the total compensation received, the payments made to fishermen, money spent on coastal protection, and the balance remaining.

It was revealed that Rs. 293 million meant for the fisheries sector is still unused. The Committee was unhappy that the money has not yet been given to fishermen.

Officials explained that some fishermen had migrated or not come forward to collect their compensation, but assured that the remaining funds will be paid out in the future.

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)