News
National Archives seeks freezing capacity to ward off mould from vital water-damaged documents
The Department of National Archives Friday made an urgent appeal for freezing capacity to protect from mould vital water damaged documents, particularly irreplaceable public records of legal value saying this would be be time buying exercise before mould destroys them permanently.
Dr. Nadeera Rupesinghe, Director General of National Archives, said in the appeal that “freezing water-damaged documents stops mould growth and stabilizes materials until proper conservation treatment is possible. It buys time.
Without freezing capacity, we will lose vital records, land registries, court documents, historical records, and the evidence millions of citizens need to rebuild their lives.
“These public institutions urgently need access to freezer facilities and mobile freezers across the country. Public records as bound volumes, and bundled records have to be frozen in large quantities. We understand this is an extraordinary request during an already difficult time. We are asking you to provide space in existing freezer facilities on a temporary basis (weeks to months).”
She said if anybody able to provide such facilities without cost, in return, the National Archives can support full documentation of your contribution for CSR reporting and national recognition as a partner in preserving Sri Lanka’s evidentiary landscape.
“These are not abstract historical records. These are the records our citizens need to prove who they are, what they own, and what they are owed. What we stand to lose –
Court records and legal evidence spanning decades
Personnel files affecting pensions and benefits
Financial records required for audits and accountability
Public records essential for maintaining administrative history
Historical documents that tell our national story”
Noting that the business community has always been a partner in Sri Lanka’s development, the National Archives Department asked it to be partners in preserving the documentary foundation on which business, law, and civil society depend.
“Every land transaction, every contract, every court case relies on records. Help us save them,” Rupesinghe said.
If your organisation has freezing capacity you can make available, please immediately contact Mr Anuradha Adikaram, Senior Archivist on 077 6815551 (Available 24 hours) .
The department will coordinate connecting those who can assist with organisations that are searching for freezer facilities.
“Time is the enemy. Every hour without freezing capacity means more records lost to mould. Every day of delay means more families without proof of their homes, their citizenship, their rights. We are asking for freezers, but we are really asking you to help preserve the documentary infrastructure of our nation,” Rupesinghe said.
[ Cricbuzz]
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.
INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.
The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.
The Supreme Court has been petitioned seeking an explanation as to how eight petitions filed against the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution were not listed for hearing . Two of the petitioners, namely Dias Bandaralage Ajith Shantha Kumara Jayathilaka and Gunathilakage Dakum Dulara Gunathilaka, have requested an opportunity to examine the official Registry and parliamentary records so that all material facts may be objectively established. They said that their petitions that had been registered by the Supreme Court should have been heard along with other petitions.
The Registrar of the Supreme Court, Secretary General of Parliament, Speaker and the Attorney General have been named as the respondents.
The five-member bench that heard the petitions consisted of Chief Justice P. Padman Surasena, Achala Wengappuli, J, Arjuna Obeyesekere, J, Sampath B. Abayakoon, J and K.M.G.H. Kulatunga, J.
The petitioners sought the explanation in the absence of any judicial order dismissing, rejecting, striking out, terminating or otherwise disposing the said petitions. They have requested the disclosure of the complete procedural history of the unlisted cases.
The second petitioner Gunathilaka has referred to a speech by Jaffna District Independent MP Ramanathan Archuna in Parliament, on 21 August, 2026, regarding X-Press Pearl, a container carrier that sank off the port of Colombo, and related matters.
They have sought leave to proceed under Articles 17 and 126 of the Constitution and asked for a full Bench of the Supreme Court, or the widest Bench, constitutionally permissible.
They also requested that the Chief Justice and Achala Wengappuli refrain from participating in the hearing and determination of their application, having regard to the objective-appearance issue arising from their prior constitutional and judicial participation in matters forming part of the factual subject matter now requiring examination.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of Vinivida Foundation, Nagananda Kodituwakku, has requested the Supreme Court Registrar not to proceed with the determination of 22nd Amendment process, pending the hearing of fundamental rights petition filed by Chairman of the Vinivida Foundation lawyer, Sugandhika Fernando, seeking a full bench, excluding Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, to hear the petitions challenging the 22nd Amendment Bill. She also requested that the hearing be suspended immediately until the matter was fully heard and determined.
Among the respondents are Chief Justice Surasena, the first respondent, and Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe. Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Shiran Gooneratne, Achala Wengappuli and Priyantha Fernando.
(SF)
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