Connect with us

News

Ex-SDIG remanded for ‘making false claim of underworld threat’

Published

on

Priyantha Jayakody

Suspected of threatening Tiran and top cop over the phone

Retired Senior DIG Priyantha Jayakody has been taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for allegedly making a false claim that he received death threats from notorious underworld leader Kehelbaddara Padme, who is believed to be living overseas.

Police Headquarters Spokesman Attorney-at-Law ASP F.U. Wootler confirmed the arrest of Jayakody. He said that the ex-SDIG would be produced before a Magistrate.

Police yesterday produced Jayakody before Mahara Magistrate and was remanded till 06 August pending investigations.

The suspect, a former top police investigator, also served as the Police Spokesman during the Yahapalana administration.

Other sources said that Jayakody and another person were responsible for threatening former Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and Senior DIG Administration Lalith Pathinayake over the phone. Sources said that another threatening call had been given to the son of IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon.

Sources said that investigators had also apprehended the person who made the calls at the behest of the former SDIG.

Jayakody campaigned for SJB leader Sajith Premadasa in the last presidential election and also backed the SJB in the parliamentary polls conducted in November, 2024.

Investigations have revealed that a Dubai telephone number was used by Jayakody to make calls.

Some claimed that Jayakody had acted alone and the whole sordid operation was meant to obtain police protection. (SF)



News

Cabinet nod for MOU between Sri Lanka and Romania on the cooperation in the Labour Field

Published

on

By

Romania, a country that has maintained diplomatic relationship with Sri Lanka for several decades in various fields, has become an increasingly popular destination among Sri Lankan skilled and semi-skilled Labour categories, especially in the fields of construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and services sectors.

At present, the recruitment of Sri Lankan workers to Romania is carried out by licensed private employment agencies under the
supervision of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau. However, since both parties have recognized the need of establishing a more organized and sustainable recruitment method due to increasing  demand, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Romania regarding cooperation in the field of the labour sector with the following objectives.

• Establishment of proper mechanism for recruitment and management of workers.
• Promotion of ethical and transparent recruitment practices.
• Protection of rights and welfare of the migrant workers.
• Facilitation of regular discussions between the formal and relevant authorities ofboth countries.
• Improvement of technical cooperation, skills recognition, and capacity building in the labour sector.

Continue Reading

News

New circular to replace Management Services Circular No. 01/2019

Published

on

By

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by  the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance,
Planning, and Economic Development to repeal Management Services Circular No. 01/2019 , dated 15-03-2019, issued regarding the implementation of development projects, and to issue a new management services circular including updated provisions instead.

Continue Reading

News

Four Chief Prelates urge President to appoint NAO official as Auditor General

Published

on

Anura Kumara

Chief Prelates of the Malwathu, Asgiriya, Amarapura and Ramanna Nikayas, in a joint letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has expressed concern over the protracted delay in appointing a permanent Auditor General.

The Chief Prelates have said that the appointment of an outsider as the Head of the National Audit Office (NAO) responsible for ensuring transparency and accountability in public finances will be inappropriate.

The Chief Prelates have said that they are of the view that Dharmapala Gammanpila, a senior officer with extensive experience within the Auditor General’s Department, is the ideal candidate for the top post. They have also emphasised that his appointment will strengthen the government’s efforts to promote economic prosperity.

Chulantha Wickramaratne, who served as AG for a period of six years, retired in April 2025. Following his retirement, President Dissanayake nominated H.T.P. Chandana, an audit officer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, as the AG. The CC rejected that nomination. Subsequently, President Dissanayake appointed the next senior-most official at the NAO Dharmapala Gammanpila as Acting Auditor General for a period of six months. Then, the President nominated Senior Deputy Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathne to serve in an acting capacity, but her nomination, too, was also rejected. Many an eyebrow was raised when the President nominated O.R. Rajasinghe, the Internal Audit Director of the Sri Lanka Army for the top post. That nomination too was rejected. As a result, the vital position remains vacant since 07 December, 2025.

Continue Reading

Trending