By Saman Indrajith

Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday stopped Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa from raising in Parliament the spate of killings and shootings reported across the country. He that the matter could not be raised as a point of order.

At the conclusion of the question session, Premadasa rose on a point of order and said there was a serious threat to national security and law and order as people were being gunned down at various locations.

“There is a problem regarding law and order in the country today. Shootings are taking place across the country every day. Lives are being lost every day. People’s lives are unsafe. The Government is unable to control this situation,” Premadasa said.

Speaker Wickramaratne ruled that the matter raised by the Opposition Leader did not constitute a point of order and asked him to take his seat. Premadasa’s microphone was subsequently switched off.

SJB Kurunegala District MP Dayasiri Jayasekara intervened, demanding that the Opposition Leader be allowed to speak.

“There is a tradition here. Normally, when the Opposition Leader rises, he is given an opportunity to speak. What are you doing?” Jayasekara asked.

The Speaker, however, said the Opposition Leader had the opportunity to raise matters of national importance under Standing Order 27(2), and should not misuse the provision relating to points of order.

He said that points of order should be confined to matters concerning the proceedings of the House.

The exchange occurred as Premadasa sought to highlight what he described as a deteriorating law and order situation caused by the continuing shootings and killings across the country.

The Italian Naval Vessel ‘ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi’ arrived in Sri Lanka today, 9 September 2026, on a replenishment visit.

The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in accordance with naval traditions at the port of Colombo.

‘ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi’ is a 180m long Landing Helicopter Aircraft Vessel commanded by Captain Marco GUERRIERO.

During the ship’s stay in Sri Lanka, the Commanding Officer of ‘ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi’ is scheduled to call on the Commander Western Naval Area.

If Bangladesh take the route of seeking inspiration from the past to bring down heavyweights India on Thursday, they will have to squint their eyes and go back to pre-Covid times for their last victory against them in the Women’s Asia Cup. India have had the better of their neighbours over their last eight meetings, and last lost to Bangladesh in a T20I three years ago, when a very similar-looking Indian batting line-up was kept to 102 for 9.

Before that, Bangladesh had shocked India with back-to-back wins that culminated in their maiden Asia Cup title, by again stifling India to an underwhelming 112 for 9.

The Bangladesh team of today – as their recent fights have shown over the last two World Cups – is a version far improved from the ones of 2018 and 2023. They have scared teams like Australia and England (ODI World Cup) and India (T20 World Cup) in the last 12 months and they recently beat the higher ranked Pakistan in the UK by keeping them to 100 for 8.