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CID probe into alleged mass grave in Thambuluvil: Initial excavation yields nothing suspicious

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Excavation underway at the public cemetery at Thambuluvil, Akkaraipattu(pic courtesy Tamil Guardian)

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has begun excavating the public cemetery in Thambuluvil, Akkaraipattu, following claims that victims of enforced disappearances may be buried at the site, according to Tamil Guardian report, posted on Monday (04).

The search, which began on 31 July, was conducted under the supervision of the Akkaraipattu Magistrate’s Court and follows information reportedly provided by a close associate of former Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pillayan.

The claim was made by an aide of K. Pushpakumar, also known as Iniyabharathy, a senior member of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), a government-backed paramilitary outfit accused of multiple human rights abuses during and after the armed conflict. The aide reportedly alleged that the remains of several abducted individuals were interred at the site.

The CID has been intensifying its investigations into a series of high-profile disappearances, including those of Eastern University Vice Chancellor Prof. S. Raveendranath and journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda. The arrests of Iniyabharathy and his associate Saseenthran Thavaseelan marked a significant development in these long-stalled cases. They were also detained in connection with the 2005 killing of former Thirukovil Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman S. Thirukkumar.

Following their arrests, another of Iniyabharathy’s associates, Sabapathy, was taken into custody, alongside four additional suspects. Based on their alleged confessions, during interrogations, CID officers were deployed to multiple sites in the Thambuluvil area, suspected to contain mass graves.

Though no human remains, or suspicious items were uncovered during the initial dig, investigations are ongoing.

The TMVP, a breakaway faction of the LTTE that allied with Sri Lankan government forces during the armed conflict, has long been accused of extrajudicial killings, abductions, and the recruitment of child soldiers like the LTTE. The group, once led by Pillayan, rose to political prominence with the backing of successive governments in Colombo and maintained a significant presence in the Eastern Province.



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Police officers donate LKR 9,687,462 from day’s salary to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

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A sum of LKR. 9,687,462, raised from day’s salary officers of the Police Department, has been donated to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to support the recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to assist in rebuilding the country following the disaster.

To date, officers of the Police Department have contributed over LKR. 74 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund through three such contributions of one day’s salary.

The donation was presented on Wednesday  (22) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by the Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police  C. C. Bamunuarachchi, to the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Chief Inspector  Udaya Kumara, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Secretariat, was also present on the occasion.

[Presidents Media Division]

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 26 April 2026, valid for 27 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry
of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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Opposition asks for PSC to probe Treasury theft

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Sajith

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.

Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.

The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.

The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.

He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.

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