News
SJB MP alleges police kept him in the dark over assassination plot
Two bodyguards assigned
SJB MP Jagath Vithana yesterday (26) said that the NPP government should conduct an overall security review without further delay. The Kalutara District lawmaker said so after police headquarters assigned two personnel for him following information as regards a possible attempt to assassinate him.
Responding to The Island queries, the Opposition member said that IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya himself had been aware of the possible attempt for about a month, although he was not alerted. “I got to know about the alleged plot after making inquiries regarding police officers visiting his home four days ago to inquire whether he had bodyguards and weapons. Police Headquarters owed an explanation regarding its failure to brief me of the alleged attempt,” MP Vithana said.
Following the change of government last year the new government decided against providing security to parliamentarians.
Referring to statements that had been attributed to Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala, regarding the IGP being directed to inquire into alleged death threats on him, MP Vithana pointed out that the issue at hand is the failure on the part of the police to pass on to him the information available to them.
Vithana said that the government appeared to have panicked following the assassination of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickremesekara (SJB) in his office on 22 October. According to him, the police visited his home last Friday (24), while he was in Parliament, where he first revealed the alleged plot after receiving a call from his wife. “The police arrived at my Kalutara home in a three-wheeler,” MP Vithana said.
Vithana said that the NPP government had sought to convince the public that the MPs didn’t require special security.
Soon after the new government took office, instructions were also issued to those permitted to own firearms to hand them over to law enforcement authorities, MP Vithana said. Now that campaign has boomeranged on the government, the former UNPer urge the government to take tangible measures to bring the situation under control.
According to police statistics, 51 lives have been lost so far this year due to 100 shooting incidents. Lasantha Wickremasekera had been the 51st victim. The number of wounded persons has been placed at 56.
MP Vithana pointed out that the police couldn’t wash their hands off the Weligama killing as the victim had sought immediate protection after having named those who posed a threat to his life. How could police deny an elected people’s representative security on the basis there were court cases against him? MP Vithana asked.
By Shamindra Ferdinando ✍️
News
Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation donates Rs. 250 million to the Government for national recovery after the emergency situation
The Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation has donated Rs. 250 million to the Government to support the rebuild of the country following the emergency situation caused by the Ditva cyclone.
Chairperson of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, together with the Board of Directors, handed over the cheque to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 08 th of December at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Subsequently, a cordial discussion was held between the Foundation’s Chairperson, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
The occasion was attended by the secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and representatives of the Board of Directors of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Level III landslide warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] have been extended until 1600hrs tomorrow [10th December 2025].
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Panvila, Udapalatha, Minipe, Poojapitiya, Gangawata Korale, Thumpane, Doluwa, Pathadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Harispattuwa, Akurana, Ududumbara, Pathahewaheta, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Deltota, Medadumbara, Udunuwara, Kundasale and Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Aranayaka, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Mawanella and Bulathkohupitiya in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Rideegama and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Ukuwela, Pallepola, Rattota, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula, Ambanganga Korale and Wilgamuwa in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Ruwanwella, Dehiowita, Kegalle and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Alawwa and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district and Nuwara Eliya, Nildandahinna, Thalawakele, Kothmale West, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha, Walapane, Kothmale East and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Kolonna and Godakawela in the Ratnapura district have also been extended.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Mirigama, Divulapitiya and Attanagalla in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Balangoda, Kuruwita, Openayake, Nivithigala, Kaltota, Pelmadulla, Kalawana, Eheliyagoda, Elapatha, Ayagama, Imbulpe and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
The Ministry of Education has announced that the .postponed subjects of the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will be conducted from 12 – 20 January 2026,
Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation donates Rs. 250 million to the Government for national recovery after the emergency situation
Level III landslide warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will resume on 12th January 2026
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