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State of Emergency: HRCSL criticises govt. decision

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TRCSL to be summoned over disruption of social media platforms

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has questioned the declaration of a countrywide State of Emergency in response to a planned protest campaign yesterday (03) against the failure on the part of the government to address the continuing shortage of essential items, including food, medicine and fuel.

Acting Director Research and Monitoring Nihal Chandrasiri yesterday (03) told The Island the HRCSL believed that the declaration had been taken without giving sufficient explanation as to what really threatened national security for the government to take such an extreme measure.

The HRCSL comprises retired Supreme Court justice Rohini Marasinghe, Ven. Kalupahana Piyarathna Thera, Dr. M.H. Nimal Karunasiri, Dr. Vijitha Nanayakkara and Ms. Anusuya Shanmuganathan.

Chandrasiri said that the HRCSL, and the senior management, following consultations regarding the incidents near President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence, at Pangiriwatte Road, Mirihana, felt that the government should concentrate on addressing the public grievances, instead of taking security measures.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed the HRCSL in terms of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, enacted in late October, last year.

Responding to another query, Chandrasiri explained that against the backdrop of an indefinite State of Emergency, a curfew had been imposed from 6 pm Saturday (02) to 6 am Monday (today, April 04). In addition to that, gathering at selected public places, too, had been prohibited by an extra ordinary gazette notification, Chandrasiri said.

According to Chandrasiri, the HRCSL has also expressed concern over the public being denied access to social media as part of the measures adopted by the government in the wake of the Mirihana incidents. Chandrasiri said that the HRCSL intended to meet senior representatives of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) tomorrow (05) to discuss the issue at hand. “The contentious issue here is whether the TRCSL inquired from the Defence Ministry regarding the sudden requirement to block social media platforms.”

The HRCSL raised the issue as the Chairman of Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) Oshada Senanayake, announced his resignation. Senanayake assumed duties as Chairman of ICTA in August 2021.

TRCSL restored social media platforms at 3.30 pm following the Defence Ministry advice in that regard.

Senanayake also served as Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) and resigned from that post in December 2021.

In addition to those matters, the HRCSL also decided to summon a senior police officer who had been captured on video slapping a person and those who were allegedly responsible for indiscriminate attacks on several journalists.

Immediately after the incidents at Mirihana, the HRCSL declared that it strongly opposed legal measures being taken against those who had been arrested in terms of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Justice Marasinghe said that they should be prosecuted under the Public Property Act, if at all.

Police headquarters Friday said that the arrested persons would be produced in court in terms of the Public Property Act and the Penal Code. Of 47 persons taken into custody, 32 had been remanded till Monday (04) and the rest granted bail.

Police said that of the 47 taken in, 21 persons produced before the Gangodawila Magistrate, on Friday, 15 had been granted bail and six remanded till Monday. The other 26 persons, warded at the Kalubowila Teaching and Colombo National Hospitals, and were remanded by a Magistrate after visiting them.



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Landslide RED warnings continue to be in force for the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya

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The RED Landslide Early Warnings issued  by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organization [NBRO]  to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya have been extended until 1600hrs today [06th December 2025]. Landslide Early warnings have also been issued to the districts of  Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Matara, Monaragala and Ratnapura,

Accordingly,
LEVEL III RED warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Gangawata Korale, Deltota, Doluwa, Thumpane, Medadumbara, Minipe, Pathahewaheta, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Akurana, Udunuwara, Panvila, Pathadumbara, Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Ududumbara, Poojapitiya, Harispattuwa and Udapalatha in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Mawanella, Rambukkana, Dehiowita, Warakapola,  Deraniyagala, Bulathkohupitiya,  Ruwanwella, Yatiyanthota and Aranayaka in the Kegalle district, Narammala, Mawathagama, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa, Rideegama and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district, Rattota, Wilgamuwa, Ukuwela, Pallepola, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district, and Nildandahinna,  Walapane,  Hanguranketha and  Mathurata in the Nuwara Eliya district.

LEVEL II AMBER warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of  Uva Paranagama, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Passara and Haldummulla in the Badulla district, Nuwara Eliya, Ambagamuwa Korale, Thalawakele, Norwood, Kothmale West and Kothmale East in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Godakawela and Kolonna in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I YELLOW warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka and Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Elpitiya and Yakkalamulla in the Galle district, Mirigama, Attanagalla and Divulapitiya in the Gampaha district, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya and Horana in the Kalutara  district, Athuraliya and Pasgoda in the Matara district, Bibile and Medagama in the Monaragala district, and Kiriella, Nivithigala, Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Pelmadulla, Elapatha, Balangoda, Openayake, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Ratnapura and Kaltota in the Ratnapura district.

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IMF pledges additional aid to Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah destruction

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Julie Kozack, Director, IMF Communications Department

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Thursday, signalled strong solidarity with Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, confirming that it is actively exploring options to provide further support for recovery and resilience beyond the existing Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

Julie Kozack, Director of the IMF’s Communications Department, opened her remarks with heartfelt condolences:

“Our deepest sympathies go out to the people of Sri Lanka for the effects of the devastating cyclone. Our hearts mourn the loss of life that has taken place,” she said, extending condolences to other Asian nations also grappling with severe flooding, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

On Sri Lanka, Kozack emphasised that the IMF is closely engaging with authorities, development partners, and counterparts to assess the humanitarian, social, and economic toll of the disaster.

“Large parts of Sri Lanka have been affected by floods, and we expect economic activity to be adversely impacted, in addition to the significant human toll,” she noted.

The IMF is awaiting the completion of a rapid post-disaster damage assessment, led by Sri Lankan authorities, in collaboration with international partners, to better gauge the economic impact.

“We are continuing to support Sri Lanka’s recovery, reform, and resilience under the EFF arrangement. Our staff is looking into options to further support Sri Lanka in the recovery process,” Kozack confirmed.

She reiterated that the Board meeting, scheduled for 15 December, remains on track, following the staff-level agreement on the fifth review reached in October—prior to the cyclone.

“We will provide additional details as the assessment of economic needs and damages moves forward, and as we have more information to inform our thinking around the options,” she added.

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Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir takes oath as SJB National List MP

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Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir was sworn in as a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List Member of Parliament before Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (05).

His appointment follows the resignation of SJB Parliamentarian Muhammathu Ismail Muththu Mohamed, who stepped down from his position on 28 November.

The SJB subsequently nominated Thahir to fill the resulting vacancy.

Accordingly, the Election Commission issued a Gazette Extraordinary declaring Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir a Member of Parliament, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, as amended by Section 6 of the Elections (Special Provisions) Act, No. 35 of 1988.

With the issuance of the gazette, and the subsequent swearing-in, Thahir has officially assumed duties as a National List MP, representing the SJB.

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