News
Ranil tells govt. to charge Bathiudeen or release him
By Saman Indrajith
UNP leader Ranil Wickrermesinghe told the government in Parliament yesterday that it should prosecute All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) and Wanni District MP Rishad Bathiudeen if there was evidence to prove his involvement in the Easter Sunday carnage or release him.
“This is not a matter pertaining to a single MP but an issue concerning the privileges of all MPs and the government should not set a wrong precedent in this issue,” the UNP leader said raising a privilege issue in the House.
Wickremesinghe said that cases had been filed against some senior police officers who did their duties. Some DIGs and ASPs had been charged for not preventing the terror attacks, but they could not be accused of dereliction of duty.
The UNP Leader said that it has been 164 days since MP Bathiudeen had been taken into custody from the MP’s home over the Easter attacks. However, no charges had been pressed until now and no evidence had surfaced indicating his guilt. Charges had been filed against every other person purportedly involved in the Easter attacks but no charges had been leveled against MP Bathiudeen.
Wickremesinghe said that some sections of the report of the Presidential Commission the Easter attacks were withheld from parliament, and they should be released.
The former PM said that the officials investigating the Easter attacks had worked diligently and responsibly and helped control the crisis situation.
Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said that the Speaker, as the chief protector of the rights of MPs, had a responsibility to demand reasons the arrest at issue.
The Chief Opposition Whip said that Bathiudeen had been detained without charges, and that procedure as set out in the British Standing Orders ought to apply.
A meeting between UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche and Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi was held on Monday (07) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Particular attention was given to the Government’s programme to resettle people who lost their homes due to Cyclone Ditwah.
The Government’s programme to address potential disasters that may arise in the future amid El Nino conditions was also discussed. The Chief of Staff to the President briefed the UN Resident Coordinator on the Government’s preparedness and plans to address such challenges.
Mr Franche stated that the United Nations was prepared to provide the necessary assistance to the Government to support the successful implementation of these programmes.
Partnerships and Development Finance Specialist at the United Nations Azam Bakeer Markar and UN Sri Lanka Humanitarian and Resilience Officer Wagisha Perera also participated in the discussion.
[President’s Media Division]
[ 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.
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