News

May 09 mayhem: C’bo HC lawyers gun for Johnston

Published

4 years ago

2022/05/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

Change at CID top amidst high profile probe

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Colombo High Court Lawyers’ Association has questioned newly appointed DIG, CID, Prasad Ranasinghe as regards, what the outfit called, the glaring double standards in dealing with SLPP lawmakers under investigation over their alleged involvement in the unprovoked attacks on people demanding the resignation of the government on May 09.

Association’s President Lakshman Perera yesterday (25) told The Island that the CID arrested two lawmakers, Sanath Nishantha and Milan Jayatilleke, on May 17, whereas several other members of Parliament, including Johnston Fernando, the main speaker at the Temple Trees event, that had been widely blamed for the subsequent violence, were yet to be produced in court.

Attorney-at-Law Perera made available to The Island, a copy of a letter, dated May 25, addressed to DIG Ranasinghe by Attorney-at-Law Tenny Fernando, the convener of the Colombo High Court Lawyers’ Association. The letter has been also copied to IGP C.D. Wickramaratne, HRC Chairperson retired Supreme Court justice Rohini Marasinghe and Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam.

Pointing out that MP Jayatilleke hadn’t been even in the group of persons who were slapped with a travel ban, lawyer Perera has asked DIG Ranasinghe whether he is in possession of any evidence which may have contributed to the arrest of Jayatilleke and Sanath Nishantha other than video footage and photographs taken on that day.

DIG Ranasinghe, who had been based in Nuwara Eliya, was brought in on May 23 as DIG, CID, after DIG. W. Tillekeratne, the senior officer in charge of the unit asked for a transfer.

Lawyer Perera said that before the change of leadership took place at the CID, the police recorded several statements, regarding the May 09 incidents, although MP Johnston Fernando was called in following the transfer of Tillekeratne. The CID recorded Johnston Fernando’s statement over four hours on May 24.

Among those who had been questioned so far were lawmakers Namal Rajapaksa, Johnston Fernando, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Sanjeewa Edirimanne, Rohitha Abeygunawardena and C.B. Ratnayake.

Lawyer Perera said that no less a person than President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in a televised address to the nation, on May 11, assured that those who instigated violence would be dealt with.

Maj. Gen. (retd.) Jagath Alwis, who had been the Secretary to the Public Security Ministry, at the time of the incidents, no longer serves the Ministry. S. Hettiarachchi, on Tuesday, received appointment as Secretary, Public Security Ministry, from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The Colombo High Court Lawyers’ Association alleged that the police had gone flat out in Colombo, its suburbs and the provinces where over 1,500 persons were taken into custody over their alleged involvement in the retaliatory attacks, whereas the CID dragged its feet over the initial investigation.

The outfit warned DIG Ranasinghe that the failure on their part to conduct an impartial investigation would cause irreparable damage to the once-respected unit.

Tillekeratne, who had been once assigned to President Mahinda Rajapaksa security unit, was named Director, CID, in late Oct 2021. Tillekeratne succeeded Prasad Ranasinghe. Now, Ranasinghe has been brought back to the CID, as the DIG, in charge of the unit. In his previous stint, Tillekeratne had been Director, CID.

Lawyer Perera said that they closely followed the case amidst growing concerns that relevant laws were being applied on an individual basis or common principles in terms of the Criminal Procedure Code Act No 15 of 1979.

The Attorney-at-Law also drew the public attention to serious accusations directed at the SLPP hierarchy, in Parliament, with lawmaker Dr. Ramesh Pathirana alleging the Senior DIG in charge of Colombo disregarded President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s specific instructions to stop the SLPP march on Galle Face.

Responding to another query, the lawyers’ spokesperson said that they planned further action, depending on the CID Chief’s response. The official appreciated the action initiated by the Attorney General, as regards the May 09 attack on protesting public, though the police seemed to be dragging their feet.

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Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations

Published

2 hours ago

2026/05/4

Priyan

President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Upon arrival at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.

Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

News

Sri Lanka and Maldives strengthen ties with productive bilateral talks

Published

2 hours ago

2026/05/4

Priyan

Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.

Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.

President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.

The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.

Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.

The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

News

Maldives and Sri Lanka exchange seven MOUs

Published

2 hours ago

2026/05/4

Priyan

Seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), signed across several sectors between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, were formally exchanged this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives.

Marking a new chapter in Maldives–Sri Lanka relations, the MoUs cover cooperation in the fields of health, sports, tourism, education and defence.

Accordingly:

1. MoU on Tourism Cooperation between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

2. MoU on Archiving Cooperation between the Department of National Archives of Sri Lanka and the National Archives of the Maldives was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

3. MoU on Training and Professional Development of Teachers and School Leaders between the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development of the Maldives and the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education of Sri Lanka was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

4. MoU on Sports and Youth Development Cooperation between the Republic of Maldives and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

5. MoU on Defence Cooperation between the National Counter Terrorism Centre of the Maldives and the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka was exchanged by the Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired).

6. MoU between the Ministry of Defence and National Service of the Maldives and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University of Sri Lanka was exchanged by the Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad and the Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara.

7. MoU on Academic Cooperation between the University of Colombo of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare of the Maldives was exchanged by Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake.

The state visit of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, undertaken at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, aims to further strengthen economic, cultural and social ties between the two countries, while enhancing their multifaceted partnership.

Cabinet Ministers, government officials and members of the Maldivian delegation, representing both Sri Lanka and the Maldives, were present at the occasion.

[President’s Media Division]