News
Development officer remanded over protest violence outside Education Ministry
Police deny intelligence officer’s involvement in protest violence
By Hemantha Randunu
A Development Officer attached to a school in Weeraketiya was remanded until 15 January by the Kaduwela Magistrate, on Tuesday (07), in connection with an incident where three police officers were injured during a recent protest outside the Ministry of Education at Battaramulla.
The injuries, sustained during efforts to disperse the protest, were initially alleged to have been inflicted by a member of the military intelligence unit. It was further claimed that the attack occurred with the knowledge of the government. However, investigations led by the Thalangama Police under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mangala Dehideniya of the Nugegoda Division identified the assailant as a Development Officer.
The suspect surrendered to the Thalangama Police on 07 January and was taken into custody. He was later produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court.
The protest held on 02 December 2024, was organised by Development Officers demanding teaching appointments. During the demonstration, three police officers were injured with sharp weapons while they were attempting to disperse the crowd.
Appearing in court a policeman later said that the assailant was a member of military intelligence. The police said subsequent investigations confirmed that allegations linking the suspect to the military intelligence unit were false. The police officer who made the incorrect statement in court is now being investigated.
Lakbima Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd, based in Polonnaruwa, has contributed Rs. 100 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to provide relief to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwa.
The donation cheque was handed over this morning (13) at the Presidential Secretariat to Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, by Dudley Sirisena, Chairman of the Araliya Group of Companies.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 12.30 p.m. 13 December 2025 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 13 December 2025 for Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
Based on the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance worth Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers.
This allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to pregnant mothers who were registered at maternal clinics on or before 30 November 2025.
The distribution will take place through the Divisional Secretariat offices from 16 December, as a program of the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.
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