News
Threat to freedom of expression and return of dreaded ‘white van” culture
Church authorities express outrage over the improper arrest of prominent activist Shehan Malaka Gamage
By Robin Gomes
The arrest of an outspoken young Catholic activist last week has drawn the condemnation of Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, who expressed concern over the threat to the freedom of expression and the return of the dreaded ‘white van” culture in Sri Lanka.
Shehan Malaka Gamage was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under dramatic circumstances while he was walking on the road. He streamed his chaotic arrest in a video on Facebook. It shows the activist demanding the document warranting his arrest from the plain-clothed men who came in a white van.
Cardina Ranjith of Colombo on Tuesday lashed out at the arrest saying it was an “abduction”. He said the government was targeting those who criticized its failure to properly investigate the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks on churches and hotels, which killed nearly 270 people and injured at least 500.
Gamage is among the several activists who have been campaigning for justice and seeking the truth behind the suicide bombings that have been blamed on Islamist terrorists. The Catholic activist has publicly questioned whether politicians used the bombings to force a change of government in the presidential elections later that year, which saw Gotabaya Rajapaksa come to power.
Police Spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa said that Gamage was arrested for a comment he recently made with regard to the Easter Sunday attacks. He was arrested on the advice of the Attorney General (AG), who acted on details submitted by the CID, after they had interrogated Gamage for 8 days in August and September 2021, about a speech he delivered at a press conference held on 17th August 2021 in relation to the Easter attacks.
Cardinal Ranjith slammed the police over the manner of the arrest, demanding that the police should be in uniform when arresting someone and use an official police vehicle, not a white van, which recalled the way many people were abducted and made to disappear in the 1980s and later, and were never heard of.
“Police officers must read the charges against any accused when making an arrest,” he said, adding Gamage was not arrested but abducted in broad daylight. He described the police method as uncivilized and immoral, which is not suitable for a democratic community.
“If Gamage did not go live on social media, the country would have never known that he was being forcefully taken away by a group in a white van. He had the courage to reveal this to the country.” Cardinal Ranjith urged fellow citizens to respond to the attempts being made to suppress the truth through intimidation.
On Tuesday, the Maligakanda magistrate’s court granted Gamage bail and imposed a travel ban on him.
The 74-year-old cardinal has been long pressing Rajapaksa’s government for the truth behind the Easter bombings, saying that the country’s top law enforcement officers had failed to arrest the real conspirators behind the bombings, despite filing charges against some of those directly involved. The cardinal wrote a letter to Rajapaksa last year raising questions over allegations that some members of state intelligence knew and had met with at least one of the attackers.
The cardinal, whose two churches of the archdiocese were targets of the Easter bombings, also took a swipe at the present Attorney General, stressing he is a public servant, not a political stooge. He pointed out that the AG is expected to enforce the recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry that probed the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks. Instead, he is making attempts to arrest those who are calling for justice over the terror attacks. He suggested that the country’s attorney general and police chief were acting “on the whims of those in the political world.”
The churchman requested “the people to understand the conspiratorial conduct of the government” and “respond to it at the appropriate time,” He reiterated that if the issues cannot be solved locally, he would not hesitate to take it to an international level.
Father Cyril Gamini Fernando, a member of the Colombo archdiocesan committee seeking the truth behind the Easter attacks, also expressed concern over the return of the ‘white van’ culture in Sri Lanka. “We cannot approve this conduct, as such a culture is not something that is good for democracy,” he told the media. “Everyone has the freedom to speak and express. That is a fundamental right of every person,” he said expressing the fear of an emergence of a culture where people are arrested and detained for criticizing the state.(Vatican News)
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“Let’s move forward together in unity to build a country where all labour is valued, rights are protected, and equality prevails” -PM
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya in her May Day message called upon the working people in Sri Lanka to move forward together in unity to build a country where all labour is valued, rights are protected, and equality prevails.
The full text of the PM’s message:
The history of the Sri Lankan labour movement is a remarkable journey, shaped over decades by the blood, sweat, and sacrifices made in the pursuit of rights, justice, and dignity.
Beginning with the printers’ strike of 1893, the working people of this country emerged as an organised force. Through the trade union movement led by A. E. Goonesinha and the emergence of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party, the voice of labour gained political strength. The Railway Workers’ Strike of 1923 and the public service strike of 1947 reaffirmed that the true ’driving force’ behind the country’s economic and social transformation was its working people. I respectfully acknowledge the invaluable contributions of workers in the plantation sector, ports, railways, and across both the public and private sectors, whose dedication laid the foundation for many of the labour rights we benefit from today.
As we commemorate International Workers’ Day with dignity once again, we pay tribute to all working people across the world, including the heroic workers who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for an eight-hour workday in Chicago in 1886. This year’s May Day holds special significance as it is being celebrated under a government built through the power of the people, in honour of the entire working community of Sri Lanka.
Granting due respect to labour and safeguarding the rights of all working people are core policy commitments of our government. Accordingly, we remain dedicated to creating a fair and safe working environment by expanding existing services and implementing new programmes aimed at improving the living standards of working people.
Ensuring fair and equal access for all citizens is a fundamental objective of the government. Following that, it is our responsibility to create an environment in which everyone can lead a dignified professional life. Establishing a national social protection system that recognises unpaid labour and guarantees social security for unpaid labours is among the foremost priorities of our government.
On this May Day, we must reaffirm the importance of moving forward together in unity to build a country where all labour is valued, rights are protected, and equality prevails. With the strength and dedication of all working people, may we soon achieve the vision we all share: “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life
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Heat Index at Caution Level at some places in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 30 April 2026, valid for 01 May 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, and North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.
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.
An Assistant Director of the External Resources Department (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance, interdicted pending an investigation into the diversion of US$2.5 million in Treasury funds to a rogue account was found dead at his residence in Kuliyapitiya.
The deceased has been identified as Ranga Nishantha, 50.
Police said the officer had been found in the garden of his house and they believed that the officila had committed suicide. However, investigators have not ruled out other possibilities, and inquiries are continuing.
The official was interdicted along with three other senior Finance Ministry officials over a cyber-enabled financial fraud.
Those interdicted include a Director and an Assistant Director from the ERD, as well as a Director and an Additional Director General from the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO).
Police sources said that the CID had on two occasions asked Nishantha to make a statement in connection with the ongoing investigation, but he had failed to comply.
Police said the CID probe into the alleged cyber fraud is continuing, with investigators examining the circumstances surrounding the diversion of funds through compromised communication channels.Kuliyapitiya Police said further investigations were underway to establish the exact cause of death.
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