News

Even after H’tota sellout, govt. didn’t take remedial measures – Arjuna

Published

5 years ago

2021/04/21

by Shamindra Ferdinando

Former Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga yesterday (20) told The Island that the ongoing deepening controversy over the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill underscored Sri Lanka’s pathetic failure to adopt a common stand in respect of matters of national importance.

Ranatunga compared the handing over of the Hambantota port to China, under controversial circumstances on a 99-year-lease, in July 2017, with the Colombo Port City project to be managed in terms of the proposed Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act.

The former lawmaker said that he gave up ports and shipping ministry as he didn’t want to endorse the disputed agreement under any circumstances.

Ranatunga contested the Gampaha district on the UNP ticket at the last general election, but couldn’t retain his seat like all other party candidates, barring for a solitary National List seat.

Responding to another query, Ranatunga said that the Port City Project, too, had been under the purview of the ports and shipping ministry. But the yahapalana administration following consultations with him, brought the Port City project under the then Megapolis minister Patali Champika Ranawaka’s purview.

Ranatunga was replaced as Ports and Shipping Minister by SLFP Vice President and Kalutara District MP Mahinda Samarasinghe.

Ranatunga emphasized that he gave up the ministry after the yahapalana government rejected a proposal prepared in consultation with the ministry and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). It was discarded by those bent on pursuing an agenda inimical to Sri Lanka, he charged.

The then SLFPer Samarasinghe finalized the agreement on July 29, 2017. However, Samarasinghe contested the last general election on the SLPP ticket. He re-entered parliament from the Kalutara district.

Former minister Ranatunga said that he was quite surprised by rejection of his proposal as he presented a sensible solution which addressed concerns of both countries. Ranatunga said that he didn’t want to remain as the ports and shipping minister at any cost.

Acknowledging some support provided by the then his cabinet colleague Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse PC, as he struggled to thwart a plan inimical to the country, Ranatunga claimed that the Joint Opposition (SLPP now) backed the agreement. Ranatunga pointed out that some tend to conveniently forget both Hambantota and Port City projects were initiated during the previous Rajapaksa administration.

The Hambantota port project was initiated in 2007 at the height of the war, whereas the Port City got underway in late 2014.

Appreciating the investments made by China in Sri Lanka over a period of time, Ranatunga stressed that the country couldn’t afford to enter into agreements detrimental to its interests. The former minister urged lawmakers, both opposed to the project as well as those backing it to be cautious in their approach.

Noting that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) had been among those who petitioned the Supreme Court against the proposed Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill, Ranatunga said that the handling of the Hambantota port agreement exposed him to how the country was being manipulated. “In spite of the Hambantota port coming under the purview of the Ports and Shipping Ministry, it didn’t really have a say. That is the undeniable truth,” Ranatunga said.

The former MP questioned the rationale in reclaiming land adjacent to the Galle Face Green at such a huge cost as the project could have been set up in some other suitable location.

Ranatunga said that he was not aware of the current status of the cases filed against the Hambantota port. Among those who filed cases was the then MP Vavudeva Nanayakkara. However, none of the 19 petitioners who moved the Supreme Court against the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill, including BASL, ironically failed to figure in the legal challenge thrown against the Hambantota port deal.

Ranatunga said due to failure on the part of the parliament to take remedial measures the country seemed to be repeating mistakes. The former minister regretted the overall failure to address contentious issues, such as major foreign investment which might threaten the country’s stability. The government and the main Opposition should bear the responsibility for both Hambantota and Port City projects as they proceeded with Hambantota and port city projects.

Meanwhile, former National Policies and Economic Affairs State Minister Niroshan Perera yesterday (20) told The Island that some government lawmakers simply pursued a political agenda regardless of the consequences. Obviously, they ignored the possible consequences in case the government went ahead with the project, he claimed.

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Manjot Kalra denies fixing allegations in LPL 2026

Published

8 hours ago

2026/07/19

Priyan

Jaffna Kings co-owner Manjot Kalra was taken to court in Colombo [Cricinfo]

Former India Under-19 player Manjot Kalra has been remanded by the Magistrate’s Court in Colombo until July 31, Sri Lanka police has confirmed, after he was arrested on July 16 on charges of corruption relating to the 2026 Lanka Premier League season.

Kalra, who is one of the co-owners of the Jaffna Kings franchise along with entrepreneur Mayank Goel, was produced before the court on July 17.

According to local media, the court heard that Kalra had allegedly approached players participating in LPL 2026 – Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Sri Lanka national players Dunith Wellalage and Avishka Fernando – all of whom play for the Jaffna Kings franchise. Investigators revealed in court that Kalra had allegedly offered the players over USD 30,000 to influence the outcome of games, and that they had in their possession recorded phone conversations and video evidence to support their case.

Following the initial approach, the players are said to have contacted the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports, after which they had, on instructions of the SIU, negotiated a payment of LKR 11.5 million with LKR 9.5 million as an advance. Kalra and an unnamed second person were arrested when the second person had brought a bag containing the advance payment to a pre-agreed location, according to media reports of the court proceedings.

The defence counsel rejected all allegations, asserting there was no evidence of Kalra offering or paying a bribe. Bail was sought but denied, with the Chief Magistrate stating that doing so could prejudice the investigation.

In a statement released on his behalf, Kalra denied the allegations and said he was “fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation” and “is confident that the facts will establish his innocence and clear his name”.

“Having had the privilege of representing India with honour, Mr. Kalra fully understands the responsibility and integrity expected of those associated with Indian sport. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to upholding those values,” the statement said. “Mr. Kalra became a co-owner in the league as a minority shareholder, entering the venture in good faith and with complete integrity. Prior to his association, the league conducted all requisite background and due diligence checks, which connfirmed his clean reputation.

“As the matter is currently under investigation, Mr. Kalra will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities and will refrain from making any further comments at this stage. He remains confident that the truth will prevail.

“Senior Counsel K Wasantha S Fernando, Attorney at Law and his able team of Junior Attorneys at Law are currently taking care of his interest and have expressed the confidence in disproving and negating the allegations leveled against Kalra and will ensure all possible steps are taken within the provisions of law to bring all perpetrators involved in fixing Kalra into this undesired situation to light while assisting law enforcement officers and Honorable Court to arrive at Justice in the right manner.”

The news of Kalra’s arrest broke on Friday, hours before the LPL season opener between Kalra’s team Jaffna Kings and Galle Gallants , a fixture that Kings lost by 36 runs.

[Cricinfo]

News

10th Navy Open Shooting Championship concludes

Published

9 hours ago

2026/07/19

Priyan

The 10th Navy Open Shooting Championship, organised by the Sri Lanka Navy, concluded successfully following events held from 1 to 12 July 2026 at the Small Bore Firing Complex,
Welisara.

The awards ceremony took place on 18 July at the Commander Parakrama Samaraweera Memorial Indoor Sports Complex at SLNS Gemunu, under the patronage of the Commander of
the Navy.

More than 900 shooters representing the Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and a number of shooting clubs from across the island competed in this year’s championship. Notably, over 800 of the participants were school athletes, highlighting the growing interest and participation of young athletes in the sport.

The championship provided a valuable platform for members of the Tri-Forces, Police, shooting clubs and school competitors to compete alongside one another, exchange experience and further develop their technical skills in shooting. It also reaffirmed the championship’s role in nurturing young talent and supporting the development of future national and international-level shooters.

Competing in a highly competitive field, marksmen representing the Sri Lanka Navy delivered an impressive performance, securing a number of medals and bringing distinction to the Navy through their achievements.

The event also made a significant contribution to the promotion of shooting sport in Sri Lanka by identifying emerging talent and strengthening cooperation, sportsmanship and healthy
competition among participants representing a wide range of institutions and organisations.

News

Former IGP’s death likely due to an accidental weapon discharge

Published

22 hours ago

2026/07/19

Thilina Walpola

Wickramaratne

He was examining security officer’s new weapon while waiting for his wife to join him on a morning walk

Friday’s shock death of former IGP Chandana Wickramaratne due to gunshot injuries on his chest was possibly due to an accidental discharge of his personal security officer’s (PSO’s) pistol. Wickramaratne, who was kitted for his walk and waiting on the verandah for his wife to join him, was examining the PSO’s new weapon, knowledgeable sources said.

These sources said the wife who was putting on her shoes inside the house heard a bang and found Wickramaratne fallen on the verandah.

The retired IGP had noticed the security officer carrying a new weapon and had asked to examine it. Saying he carried a similar weapon years ago, he found no magazine and said, “are you planning to accompany me on my walk with a pistol without a magazine?”

The PSO had then handed the loaded magazine and gone into the house to fetch a requested bottle of water when the weapon had gone off.

The sources said that Wickramaratne was in no way depressed and had attended an Ananda College old boy’s event a few days ago, had dinner with friends and chatted with them. He had an appointment to meet a friend on Saturday.

Friends and family saw no reason for Wickramaratne to take his own life and there was no evidence whatever of an external agent shooting him. The former IGP was pronounced dead at the Colombo East Teaching Hospital to which he was rushed.

Police said investigations were proceeding and an autopsy report was awaited.

Wickramaratne was appointed the 35th Inspector General on November 25, 2020 and retired three years later in 2023. He had also set a record as the longest serving acting IGP since his naming to that position in May 2019 after his predecessor Pujith Jayasundara was sent on compulsory leave.

He joined as a trainee Assistant Superintendent in June 1986 after graduating from the Colombo University. He was absorbed to the National Intelligence Bureau where he worked till 1995. Thereafter he reverted to the uniform service and had been posted across the country, including the northern and eastern areas at the height of the war.