News
ANN and other global media outfits condemn arrest of Nepali publisher
Global media organisations, including the Asia News Network, have taken serious exception to the arrest of Kantipur Media Group Chairman Kailash Sirihiya in Nepal and termed the government action as vengeful.
The Asia News Network (ANN), an alliance of 22 leading media in 20 countries, in a letter addressed to Prime Minister of FDR of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has called on the latter to exercise his authority to impair the misdeeds.
The letter, signed by ANN Chairman Mahfuz Anam, says that the ANN “is extremely concerned with the apparent media intimidation to the Kantipur Media Group’s newsroom on May 21, 2024 and prolonged detention of KMG Chairman Mr. Kailash Sirihiya.
The incident, which followed the media investigation into the conduct of a politician, will only impair Nepal’s reputation and its treatment of the press.
Kathmandu Post, the English-language media arm of KMG, is a long-time member of ANN. It has been an exemplary Asian media member – carrying the good reputation of your country and reporting rigorously on its challenges.
The conduct of the police with their intrusion into the KMG’s newsroom and heavy police presence on the premises are unacceptable in a media free environment; and so too is the case of Mr Sirihiya which would normally go through routine legal process. The rule of law must be fair and just; and not be seen and treated otherwise.
We would ask your excellency to immediately exercise your authority to impair the misdeeds and restore Nepal’s reputation and credibility which are essential for a country to move forward.”
The members of ANN comprise China Daily, Daily Star (Bangladesh), Dawn (Pakistan), Eleven Media (Myanmar), Gogo Mongolia, Jakarta Post (Indonesia), Kuensel (Bhutan), Kathmandu Post (Nepal), Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rasmei Kampuchea, The Phnom Penh Post (Cambodia), The Borneo Bulletin (Brunei), Yomiuri Shimbun/The Japan News, The Korea Herald, The Nation (Thailand), The Star, Sin Chew Daily (Malaysia), The Statesman (India), The Straits Times (Singapore), Vientiane Times (Laos), Vietnam News.
Meanwhile, the Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday expressed alarm over the arrest of Sirihiya and called on Nepali authorities not to harass or intimidate the leadership or staff of the country’s largest media group in retaliation for its reporting.
“The arrest of Kantipur Media Group chairperson Kailash Sirihiya from his place of work appears to be an effort to muzzle the critical reporting of Nepal’s largest media group,” said CPJ Programme Director Carlos Martinez de la Serna, in New York. “We call on Nepali authorities to ensure that Kantipur Media Group can work freely and without fear of reprisal.”
Likewise, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the world’s largest organisation of journalists, said on Thursday that Sirihiya’s arrest “is deeply concerning, especially considering the ongoing investigative work focused on allegations of misconduct by the Home Minister”.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an international organisation focused on safeguarding the right to freedom of information, demanded the release of Sirihiya.
The United States-based Society of Professional Journalists has also questioned the motive behind Sirihiya’s arrest.
“We join the Federation of Nepali Journalists in questioning the actual motives behind the arrest,” SPJ said in a statement. “The FNJ said the arrest casts aspersions on the entire news-gathering sector. They added that the arrest of Sirihiya appears vindictive in nature.”
The National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide Red Alerts to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya effective from 14:00 hrs on 20.09.2026 To 14:00 hrs on 21.09.2026
Accordingly,
LEVEL III [RED] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Dehiowita, Aranayake, Deraniyagala, Mawanella and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Kothmale West, Kotmale East, Ambagamuwa and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district
LEVEL II [AMBER] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka in the Colombo district, Nagoda, Thawalama and Neluwa in the Galle district, Bulathsinhala, Palindanuwara, Walallawita and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ganga Ihala Korale in the Kandy district, Bulathkohupitiya and Kegalle in the Kegalle district, Akuressa and Pitabeddara in the Matara district, Thalawakele in the Nuwara Eliya district and Pelmadulla, Ratnapura, Ayagama, Kuruwita and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I [YELLOW] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Niyagama and Baddegama in the Galle district, Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Ingiriya in the Kalutara district, Udapalatha and Yatinuwara in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Warakapola and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle district, Kotapola, Pasgoda and Athuraliya in the Matara district, and Eheliyagoda, Kalawana and Elapatha in the Ratnapura district.
News
Development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common goal – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common, people-oriented objective.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in a discussion held on Friday [September 18] at the Western Province Council Auditorium to review the progress of the development project to rehabilitate Rathmalana Kandawala Road and the drainage system on either side of the road, within the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council limits in the Colombo District.
The project, which commenced on September 10, 2026, is scheduled to be completed before June 30, 2027. Implemented by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA), the project includes the construction of a bridge at a cost of Rs. 64 million, the rehabilitation of the drainage system at a cost of Rs. 930 million, and the rehabilitation of the road at a cost of Rs. 115 million.
The Prime Minister also paid special attention to the progress of the responsibilities assigned to the Western Province Council, the Irrigation Department and the Ratmalana Divisional Secretariat in accordance with decisions taken at the previous committee meeting. Attention was also given to the current status of the plans being carried out by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLRDC), as well as the construction and maintenance activities being undertaken by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA).
Commending the expedite and commendable progress of the project, the Prime Minister particularly appreciated the commitment demonstrated by officials of the relevant government institutions to work in close coordination with one another and in collaboration with the political authority.
The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of taking measures well in advance to control flooding and minimise its impact on Colombo and several other districts in view of the rainy weather that may affect the Western Province during the latter part of this year.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Chairperson of the Ratmalana Divisional Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Chairman of the Roads Sub-Committee of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee Dewananda Suraweera, Mayor of the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Parakum Shantha, Chief Secretary of the Western Province K.G. Pradeep Pushpakumara, along with a number of government officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
News
Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
The National Buliding Research Organization has issued Landslide Early Warnings to the Districts of Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 10:00 hrs on 20.09.2026 To 10:00 hrs on 21.09.2026
Accordingly,
LEVEL II (AMBER) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Nagoda and Neluwa in the Galle district, Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Dehiowita and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district, Pitabeddara in the Matara district, Kotmale, Ambagamuwa and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district and Ayagama, Pelmadulla, Ratnapura and Eheliyagoda in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I (YELLOW) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Palinda Nuwara and Bulathsinhala in the Kalutara district, Ganga Ihala Korale in the Kandy district, Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Kotapola in the Matara district and Ratnapura, Kalawana, Kuruwita and
Elapatha in the Ratnapura district.
Landslide Red Alerts issued to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya
Shafali dazzles with 49-ball unbeaten 100 and India march into Asian Games final
Development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common goal – PM
Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
Chamari Athapaththu’s unbeaten 83 leads Sri Lanka into final
Showers expected in the Western, Uva, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya Districts.
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