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Civil society alleges harassment of Mullaitivu-based journalist

Published

6 months ago

2025/10/6

A group of civil society organisations and activists have condemned, what they called, the surveillance, harassment, and intimidation, of Mullaitivu-based journalist Kumanan Kanapathipillai. The following is the text of statement issued by the group consisting of 141 organisations and activists: Kumanan has, for more than a decade, reported on and documented human rights violations committed by various actors in the Northern and Eastern Provinces (North-East); thereby playing a proactive role in the Tamil community’s post-war demands for human rights protection and accountability.

His work includes documenting militarisation, crackdown on protests and memorialisations, repression of civil society, families of the disappeared, land appropriation, and broader Sinhala-Buddhisation of the North and East. He has moreover highlighted the plight and struggles of the families of the disappeared for years, and the Tamil community’s demands for justice for the atrocity crimes committed during the armed conflict.

The relentless harassment of Kumanan has been continuing for many years, prompting several international human rights organisations to classify him as a ‘journalist-at-risk’. In 2020, a group of men attacked Kumanan and another journalist while they were covering the illegal smuggling of trees. In 2024, the Counter-Terrorism Investigation Division (CTID) visited Kumanan’s parents and interrogated his associates. The harassment reached a crescendo on 17 August 2025, when the CTID interrogated Kumanan for seven hours, framing his photojournalism as work ‘against the government’ and a ‘terrorist’ activity. On 26 September 2025, during the United Nations’ Committee on Enforced Disappearances’ review of Sri Lanka in Geneva, a government representative made a statement justifying their harassment of Kumanan by alluding to suspicions about his involvement in financial crimes and terrorism.

The unfounded accusations and persistent harassment are an attempt to silence Kumanan, as well as to make an example of him as a warning to silence other Tamil-speaking journalists in the North-East. Even though Kumanan is not the only person in the recent past to experience inquiries and intimidation, the level of harassment that Kumanan faces, which goes beyond mere inquiry, is intended to remind other journalists of the existence of repressive structures. The psychological pressure and reprisals not only against them, but also their families and colleagues if they continue reporting on matters that challenge the official version of the truth, force journalists to self-censor.

The National People’s Power (NPP) government was elected on a promise to bring about a ‘system change’ by charting a different course than previous governments, particularly with regard to the treatment of Tamils. Regrettably, the attempts to curtail the freedom of expression of Kumanan and other media personnel in recent times are no different to the approach adopted by past governments. This demonstrates the failure of the NPP government to adhere to its election promises, particularly with regard to dismantling and reforming repressive State structures, such as the security agencies that disregard and violate the rights of the people, especially those in the North-East. Tolerating dissent, respecting and protecting press freedom and broader freedom of speech are the hallmarks of a healthy democracy.

We would like to reiterate that the government is responsible for the actions of security agencies; it has the duty to subject them to civilian scrutiny and ensure they do not violate the rights of citizens in the guise of safeguarding national security. In order to accomplish this, the government would have to respect constitutional safeguards, the rule of law and due process. Kumanan’s treatment indicates to the public, and particularly the Tamil community, that it is business as usual for state structures which are repudiating ‘system change’. Such actions of state entities will undermine the credibility of the government and increase the mistrust of the Tamil community in state structures.

In light of the escalation of the intimidation and harassment of Kumanan, we call upon the Sri Lankan government to immediately cease the surveillance, harassment, and intimidation, stop weaponising the law to label journalists terrorists for practising their profession, respect constitutionally protected rights and end the mis and disinformation campaign against them.

We urge the international community to impress upon the government the importance of taking on board and implementing the aforementioned requests, and pay increased attention to the human rights situation in the North-East, particularly the treatment of Tamil-speaking journalists and human rights activists. “

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya districts

Published

8 hours ago

2026/03/23

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
at 3.30 p.m. on 22 March 2026, valid for 23 March 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in
Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya districts.

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.

News

Fuel price hikes trigger transport disruptions and calls for fare increases

Published

13 hours ago

2026/03/23

Thilina Walpola

The latest fuel price increases have sparked widespread concern among transport operators and raised questions about the government’s supportive measures. Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr Nalinda Jayathissa told a media briefing yesterday that the government was incurring a monthly loss of Rs. 20 billion by maintaining subsidies on fuel. According to the Minister, the state loses Rs. 100 per litre of diesel and Rs. 20 per litre of petrol under the current pricing system, a burden that the Treasury continues to absorb as part of a “supportive mechanism.”

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) revised fuel prices from midnight on March 21, raising the price of a litre of Lanka Auto Diesel by Rs. 79 to Rs. 382, Super Diesel by Rs. 90 to Rs. 443, Octane 95 petrol by Rs. 90 to Rs. 455, and Octane 92 petrol by Rs. 81 to Rs. 398. Lanka Kerosene was increased by Rs. 60,bringing the price to Rs. 255 per litre. Other suppliers, including Sinopec and Lanka IOC, also implemented similar hikes, with Sinopec’s Super Diesel rising sharply by Rs. 219 to Rs. 572 per litre.

The surge in fuel prices has had an immediate impact on public transport. The Chairman of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association, Gamunu Wijerathne, told The Island that 90% of private buses were off the road yesterday (22). He called for a 15% increase in bus fares, raising the minimum fare from Rs. 27 to Rs. 35, warning that services could be suspended if fare adjustments are not approved.

Three-wheeler operators have also pressed for immediate fare revisions. L. Rohana Perera, General Secretary of the National Joint Three-Wheeler and Industrialists’ Association, said the rising fuel costs have made it difficult for drivers to continue operating. The Association has proposed a Rs. 20 increase for the first kilometre fare for all meter-operated three-wheelers and plans to present its concerns to the Presidential Secretariat.

Fuel price monitoring has also intensified amid concerns over potential smuggling. A senior police officer told The Island that intelligence units have been deployed near fuel stations to prevent hoarding. The police suspect that certain fuel station employees and owners could be facilitating stockpiling.

Political leaders have warned that the hikes will ripple across the economy. SJB MP S.M. Marikkar said transport cost increases will drive up the prices of essential goods such as rice and fish, leaving consumers struggling under rising costs.

Import and export container transportation charges will be increased by 20% from midnight yesterday (22) due to the recent fuel price hike, according to the Container Transport Vehicle Owners’ Association.

The latest increases follow two rounds of price hikes since March 9, driven by surging global oil prices amid the Middle East conflict. Since then, Lanka Petrol 92 Octane has risen by Rs. 105 to Rs. 398, Petrol 95 Octane by Rs. 115 to Rs. 455, Auto Diesel by Rs. 101 to Rs. 382, and Super Diesel by Rs. 114 to Rs. 443 representing an overall increase of around 35% across key fuel categories.

by Norman Palihawadane and Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon

News

Prof. Peiris honoured by International Institute of Rehabilitation

Published

13 hours ago

2026/03/23

Thilina Walpola

Felicitating Prof. Peiris at the event were Senior Lecturer Ravindra Samarawickrama, Chairman of the International Organisation for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation, Director Nilantha Kotikawatte, and Senior Lecturer Udaya Kumara Amarasingha, Head of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura

At the award presentation ceremony of the International Rehabilitation Institute last week, Professor G.L. Peiris, as Chief Guest, in his keynote address, dealt with the special relevance of rehabilitation at this time. The traditional criminal law makes provision for punishment after a crime has been committed, and punishment usually takes the form of a prison sentence. It is even more important, however, to explore practical means of prevention and also to have recourse to a custodial sentence as a last resort rather than as the typical response.

The modern approach is that punishment is seen not as retributive but as a means of rehabilitating the offender in society. Prison sentences, bringing a first offender into the prison environment and association with habitual offenders, carries the risk of recidivism, the available statistics indicating the likelihood of return to prison on repeated occasions.

He placed emphasis on the importance of informed social attitudes to ensure that an offender does not carry a permanent stigma, reducing his opportunities for employment and acceptance in society. The importance of religious instruction in early childhood, and the close connection between temple and village, was stressed.

Professor Peiris was honoured with an award of appreciation by academic colleagues.