News
Investigation into Club Wasantha’s murder compromised by poor crime scene management
Criminal gangs often access embarrassing or demeaning images of their victims and publicise them through social media, police spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said.He said that following the assassination of Surendra Wasantha Perera, alias Club Wasantha, images of his bloodied body in the mortuary were released on social media platforms. “This was probably done initially by social media accounts that are linked with those who carried out the attack. As civilised individuals, we should not share such images with friends and family,” he said.
One of the key objectives of organised criminal gangs is to protect the gunmen, given that there are not many people with experience in handling firearms, the police spokesman said.
“These gangs can always find people who can act as lookouts, but marksmen are harder to find. Those who carried out the assassination of Club Wasantha knew how to handle firearms, but I can’t confirm that they were ex-members of security forces,” he said.
DIG Thalduwa added that the police do not know whether the two gunmen have left the country via a fishing vessel.
“This is an island and each day hundreds of boats leave its shores for fishing. However, 10 police teams are still investigating the incident and there are a few more people that need to be arrested.”
The police spokesman said Saman Perera, leader of the ‘Ape Jana Bala Party’ and four other persons were killed in Beliatta in January this year. The police managed to identify the gunman at an initial stage.
“However, he still managed to leave the country. Lankan organised criminal gangs have links with similar groups elsewhere in the world. Our gangs have links with South Asian, Central Asian and even European gangs. So, forging a passport, illegal border crossings, etc., have become easy for them because of their ties with the regional criminal network. Even Interpol takes some time to find these people.”
DIG Thalduwa said he believes that when someone attached to an organised criminal syndicate is arrested and presented before courts, such a person must be kept in remand custody until the case is heard. If a suspect is granted bail, the Sri Lankan police does not have the capacity to monitor his or her activities throughout the day.
Meanwhile, DIG Deepthi Hettiarachchi, the Deputy Commander of the Police Special Task Force (STF) said they have been entrusted with eradicating organised crime, drugs and the use of illegal firearms. They have 75 camps around the country, he said. In the past two years they have confiscated over 1,000 illegal firearms.
Commenting on the murder of Club Wasantha, the STF DIG said that crime scene management was badly done. A large number of people were allowed to come in although civilians should have been blocked from accessing the crime scene. This could, in fact, have destroyed much of the evidence, he added.
“There was no secrecy, everyone was given access to the crime scene as well as evidence. The criminals almost had live updates of what the police were going to do. Our plan was exposed, allowing them to take counter steps to evade,” he said.
High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer met with the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees on 30th April
Welcoming the High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister expressed sincere appreciation for the continued support and cooperation extended by the Government of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, particularly the assistance provided following the Ditwah Cyclone.
Both sides reaffirmed the longstanding and cordial relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which are founded on mutual respect, friendship, and shared interests.
The meeting also focused on the importance of further strengthening collaboration in key sectors such as education, tourism, and sports, with a view to enhancing people-to-people ties and creating new opportunities for cooperation reiterating Sri Lanka’s commitment to deepening bilateral engagement.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Ms. Zunaira Latif, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
The Ambassador of Nepal to SriLanka, Dr. Purna Bahadurn Nepali paid a farewell courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursday (30th of April) at Temple Trees.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed sincere appreciation for the dedicated service and valuable contributions towards strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Nepal during the tenure of Dr. Purna Bahadurn Nepali.
Both parties reaffirmed the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries, which are based on shared cultural, religious, and historical linkages. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to further deepening bilateral relations with Nepal and enhancing cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 01 May 2026, valid for 02 May 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on the human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Pakistan High Commissioner pays courtsey call on PM
Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka pays farewll call on PM
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
Showers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and Eastern provinces and in Polonnaruwa, Galle and Matara districts after 1.00 pm
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