News
Acting IGP: Political involvement uncovered in recent underworld hits across the country
Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya has informed Parliament that police investigations have uncovered political involvement—at varying levels—in recent underworld killings and shooting incidents across the country.
He made these remarks during a high-level discussion held at the Parliament complex, under the patronage of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, with the participation of Opposition party leaders and senior security officials, the Parliament Media Division said.
The revelation comes amid growing security concerns raised by MPs, particularly from the Opposition, following a spate of violent incidents linked to criminal gangs and drug networks.
The Acting IGP said that some politicians have been identified as having connections to these crimes and said steps are being taken to further investigate, and to act on the findings.
During the discussion, convened following a formal request by several Opposition leaders on 20th May, Acting IGP Weerasuriya said proposals submitted by MPs, requesting enhanced personal security, will be forwarded to the National Security Council for further consideration. He noted that security provisions have already been extended to MPs whose final threat assessment reports have been completed.
Speaker Wickramaratne called on the Acting IGP to brief the assembly on the progress of these assessments and the broader security landscape. In response, Weerasuriya emphasised that many of the recent violent incidents are rooted in gang rivalries and drug-related turf wars.
The discussion also saw divergent views on how to address immediate security needs.
MP Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna proposed that MPs be permitted to carry firearms for personal protection, if adequate security cannot be ensured. However, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa rejected the idea, asserting that in a functioning democracy, responsibility for security must rest with the state and not the individual.
MP Ravi Karunanayake supported enhanced security for newer parliamentarians, especially those engaged in anti-drug efforts. Both Premadasa and Karunanayake called for transparency, requesting that any evidence of criminal involvement by MPs—even within their own parties—be formally submitted.
MPs Gajendra Kumar Ponnambalam and Dilith Jayaweera also voiced concern, advocating for the continuation of full security coverage for those who have raised legitimate threats until their assessments were finalised.
The meeting was attended by the Acting IGP, the Director of the Ministerial Security Division, Speaker Wickramaratne, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilaka, and several Opposition party leaders and security officials, the Parliament Media Division said.
A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) was held this afternoon (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The meeting focused extensively on new development projects planned by the Urban Development Authority. The President emphasised the need to ensure that the budgetary allocations made for these projects in the current year are utilised effectively within the same financial year.
Detailed discussions were also held on projects planned to be implemented jointly by multiple institutions, including the importance of holding consultations with all relevant agencies to reach final decisions and the need to clearly define responsibilities for each institution in both implementation and maintenance phases of the projects.
Attention was drawn to key initiatives such as the Kelani River flood control project, water management projects in Colombo city and the Beira Lake restoration project. The need for a dedicated programme for low-income housing in areas such as Ratmalana and Moratuwa was also highlighted. During the discussion, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake underscored the importance of introducing a structured management framework for the effective coordination of certain projects.
Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Eranga Gunasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Senior Professor Kapila C.K. Perera, Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), M.G. Hemachandra and the Heads representing the Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA), Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), National Physical Planning Department (NPPD) and the Condominium Management Authority (CMA) were also present at the meeting.
(PMD)
News
CEAT Kelani Branch Inter-Company Employees’ Union makes donation to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
The Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the Kelaniya Branch of CEAT Sri Lanka has made a financial donation of Rs. 1,148,000.00, a day’s salary of its members to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund established to support the restoration of livelihoods and the rebuilding of areas affected by cyclone Ditwah.
Secretary of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, D.G.S.D. Navaratne, handed over the donation to the Chief of Staff to the President, Prabhath Chandrakeerthi at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (18).
Treasurer of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, Y.P.I.C. Karunathilaka, together with members of the Executive Committee, were also present on the occasion.
(PMD)
Latest News
Prime Minister off to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed on an official visit to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.
During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in several high-level academic and diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of education, development studies, research collaboration, and international partnerships.
As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will meet with Ms.Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education of the United Kingdom, at the UK Department for Education, to discuss areas of cooperation in education and related sectors. She is also expected to meet Ms.Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, for discussions on matters of bilateral interest and cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.
In addition, the Prime Minister is expected to meet Ms.Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on the sidelines of the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.
During the visit, the Prime Minister will attend a public event at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex and she will also take part in the ceremony marking the 60th Anniversary of the Institute of Development Studies. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a session at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford, followed by a question-and-answer session with scholars and students.
The visit is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s engagement with academic institutions, international development partners, and Commonwealth member states, particularly in the areas of education, research, policy dialogue, and capacity building.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President meets senior officials of the Urban Development Authority
CEAT Kelani Branch Inter-Company Employees’ Union makes donation to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
Escaped tiger shot by German police after attacking man
Prime Minister off to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum
Steps initiated to safeguard Sri Lanka’s Maritime Heritage
Fighter jet crews parachute safely after collision at US air show
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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