News

Administrators oppose govt. move to deploy Clean Sri Lanka agents in District and Divisional Secretariats

Published

4 months ago

2026/05/4

The Sri Lanka Association of Divisional Secretaries and Assistant Divisional Secretaries (SLADA) has written to the Secretary to the President requesting the withdrawal of a decision to appoint “Clean Sri Lanka” coordinators at provincial, district and divisional levels, warning that it could seriously undermine the independence of the public service.

In a letter, signed by SLADA President R. Senthil and Secretary R. M. Nuwan C. Hemakumara, the Association has referred to a directive issued by the Secretary to the President, dated March 20, 2026, instructing District Secretaries to appoint coordinators for the programme and to provide them with facilities within Divisional Secretariat offices.

The Association has noted that Sri Lanka already has a long-established administrative framework to ensure effective public service delivery, spanning ministries, departments, provincial councils, district and divisional secretariats down to Grama Niladhari divisions. This system is supported by internal audit units, the National Audit Office, and coordination committees at divisional, district and national levels, which oversee and review programme implementation.

The SLADA has acknowledged that specific officers have already been assigned at divisional level to implement activities under the government’s Clean Sri Lanka initiative, which is being monitored

through existing community development committees and coordination mechanisms.

The association has expressed concern over the appointment of separate coordinators at district and divisional levels and the instruction to allocate office space and attach public officials to support them. It has argued that divisional secretariats are neutral public service institutions that provide services to all citizens without political, religious or ethnic bias, and that their independence must be safeguarded.

While acknowledging some isolated instances of politically influenced conduct by a small number of officials, SLADA stressed that the overall administrative structure has functioned as an independent and depoliticised system that has earned public trust.

The association further pointed out that the current government’s policy framework emphasises efficient and impartial public service delivery without interference in the independence of state institutions.

It has warned that appointing politically connected coordinators within divisional secretariats and attaching government-paid officials to them could seriously compromise administrative neutrality and may also raise legal concerns.

SLADA said previous attempts to introduce similar arrangements had been resisted, adding that the current system already allows for effective coordination, monitoring and review of government programmes, including Clean Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, the Association urged the President’s Secretary to revoke the decision and allow existing administrative mechanisms to handle programme implementation. It warned that any such precedent could have long-term adverse implications for the independence of the public service, and expressed hope for a reconsideration of the directive, stating that it would not cooperate with the current arrangement unless the request is addressed.

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News

Sun directly overhead Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon today (07)

Published

4 hours ago

2026/09/7

Priyan

The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.

The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (07) are Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon.

News

‘Choka Malli’ slips out of country before travel ban

Published

7 hours ago

2026/09/7

Thilina Walpola

Premalal

By Norman Palihawadane

The CID recently found that former SLPP Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara, better known as ‘Choka Malli’, had left for Thailand when the Supreme Court imposed an overseas travel ban on him last Friday.

The CID discovered that Jayasekara had left Sri Lanka on August 31, while authorities were taking steps to enforce the travel restriction imposed by the Supreme Court. The Department has subsequently informed the Attorney General’s Department of the development.

The Supreme Court last Friday ordered Jayasekara, and two other men, to appear before court on October 21, and imposed a ban on their overseas travel.

The orders were made as the Supreme Court considered an appeal challenging the acquittal of the three men in connection with the 2015 murder of Shantha Dodangoda, also known as D.G. Sunil Perera.

The appeal was filed by Dodangoda’s wife against a decision of the Court of Appeal to acquit and release Jayasekara and the two other accused, who had previously been convicted and sentenced to death by the Ratnapura High Court.

Dodangoda was killed in a shooting in Kahawatta town, in the early hours of January 5, 2015, while a group of people were putting up decorations for an election rally in support of then common Opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

Two others, Karunadasa Weerasinghe and Mohamed Ilfan, were seriously injured in the shooting.

Following the incident, the Ratnapura High Court convicted Jayasekara, former Chairman of the Kahawatta Pradeshiya Sabha Wajira Darshana de Silva, and former Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council member Nilanta Jayakody, sentencing all three to death.

The Court of Appeal subsequently acquitted the three men and ordered their release.

The victim’s wife later challenged the acquittal before the Supreme Court.

The appeal was taken up before a Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Gihan Kulatunga.

During the proceedings, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara requested that the court impose overseas travel restrictions on Jayasekara and the other respondents.

The Supreme Court subsequently ordered all three to appear before the court on October 21 and imposed travel bans on them.

President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, President’s Counsel U.R. de Silva and President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne appeared for the respondents. President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris represented the aggrieved party.

Police sources said that the discovery that Jayasekara had already left for Thailand, on August 31, has raised concerns over the timing and enforcement of the travel ban.

Sources said that the CID had notified the Attorney General’s Department and was taking further action in relation to the development.

News

Dengue death toll rises to 73

Published

7 hours ago

2026/09/7

Thilina Walpola

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon

The number of deaths from dengue fever in Sri Lanka has risen to 73 this year, with 96,228 cases reported across the country so far, according to the Dengue Control Unit.

The latest figures indicate that dengue continues to pose a significant public health concern, with 737 new cases recorded during the first four days of September alone.

Dengue infections peaked in July, when 29,964 cases were reported, according to the latest data. June recorded the second-highest monthly total, with 21,533 cases, while 10,155 cases were reported in August.

Earlier in the year, 8,590 cases were recorded in May and 7,866 cases in January.The Western Province remains the worst-affected area, accounting for more than half of all dengue cases reported nationwide. A total of 50,851 cases have been recorded in the province, representing 52.84% of the country’s total.

The Southern Province has recorded 13,950 cases, followed by the Central Province with 8,818 cases and Sabaragamuwa Province with 7,925 cases.