News
Hulftsdorp killing has led to checks on lawyers in some court premises
The government, in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the Bar Association (BASL), has put in place a system to check lawyers entering selected courts. This follows the killing of Ganemulle Sanjeewa by an underworld hitman, masquerading as a lawyer, in one of the Magistrate Courts at Hulftsdorp, on the morning of 19 February.
Responding to The Island queries in this regard, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara yesterday (16) confirmed the new security arrangement. Minister Nanayakkara, who is also an Attorney-at-Law, declined to elaborate.
Although the police apprehended the suspected assassin, a couple of hours later, the woman, who smuggled in the firearm used in the killing, also masquerading as a lawyer, is still at large.
Newly elected BASL President, Attorney-at-Law Rajeev Amarasuriya, said that scanners had been installed at selected places in line with the security arrangements introduced, following the 19 February shooting in a court. Amarasuriya said so responding to The Island query regarding the post-Hulftsdorp Court complex shooting developments.
The BASL Chief emphasised the pivotal importance of ensuring, what he called, a hassle-free environment for law officers, regardless of security checks necessitated by the latest shooting. Amarasuriya said that security measures should be in place in accordance with threat assessments pertaining to cases taken up at various courts.
The first courtroom killing took place in Nov. 1991 when Sub Inspector Dhammika Amarasena, who had been interdicted over the Wavulkelle massacre, was shot dead while inside the Attanagalle Magistrate court. Amarasena’s father-in-law, who had been seated next to the interdicted policeman, was also killed.
The second courtroom shooting happened in January 2004 when an Army deserter shot dead Dhamamika Amarasinghe inside the Hulftsdorp court complex. Although Dhammika Amarasinghe’s killer gained entry to the court, posing off as a law student, authorities never implemented a comprehensive security plan. However, in the wake of Ganemulle Sanjeewa’s killing, acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya, who is also a lawyer, underscored the need to check law officers.
The BASL President said that they were still in the developing stage of the security set up, taking into consideration views expressed by various stakeholders. Referring to Ganemulle Sanjeewa’s assassin carrying a forged BASL identity card, Amarasuriya stressed the need to use technology in counter measures to thwart such practices.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.
The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.
The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.
The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.
Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.
The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)
A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)
Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.
(Straits Times)
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories
The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.
The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 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, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.
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 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
Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut
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