News

Hizbullah’s Hira Foundation though not registered had a certificate of registration

Published

5 years ago

2020/11/14

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Former Governor of the Eastern Province M. L. A. M. Hizbullah’s Sri Lanka Hira Foundation (SLHF) was not registered with the Department of Social Services as a social service organization, Dhammika Wasalabandara, a Social Service officer at the Social Services Department yesterday, told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing the Easter Sunday carnage.

Earlier, the State Counsel leading the evidence asked the witness whether the department had registration documents of the foundation and Wasalabandara replied that they did not have any.

However, the Commission drew the attention of the witness to a letter provided by the Social Services Department to the Hira Foundation on July 20, 2011, saying that the foundation had been registered.

Wasalabandara, after referring to the document said that while the letter said that the Foundation had been registered, the Department did not possess registration documents.

He said that Additional Director General Mohammed Sameel of the Department, who had issued this letter to the Hira Foundation, was not in the service when the document was issued.

“We don’t have these documents in our files,” he said.

Former Additional Director General of the Social Services Department Mohammed Hanifa Mohammed Sameel, who also testified after Wasalabandara admitted that it was wrong to issue the letter to the Hira Foundation.

Sameel said he had issued a letter stating that the Hira Foundation had been registered under the Social Services department following a request made by the Foundation.

Commissioners pointed out that according to a circular issued in 1999, the Social Services department no longer could register Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and social services Organisations. That circular added that the registration of all social services organizations and NGOs registered under the Social Services Department up to 1999 had been cancelled.

A Commissioner asked the witness whether it had been legal to issue a letter in 2011 stating that the Hira Foundation was registered under the Social Services department.

Samil acknowledged that issuance of the letter was not appropriate. When asked whether the permission of the Director General of the Social Services department had been sought before issuing the relevant letter to the Hira Foundation, Samil said he had not done so and if approval had been sought, the Director General would not have given it.

Former Governor of the Eastern Province Hizbullah also appeared before the Commission yesterday.

Samil also told the PCoI that he had known Hizbullah for a while. “During my tenure as the Director of the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, he used to speak to me about matters such as registration of mosques, the importation of dates for the Ramadan season and the Mecca pilgrims quota.”

When Samil was at the Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Department, the institution came under the former Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne. Chairman of the PCoI asked the witness why he had discussed those matters with Hizbullah.

The witness said almost all Muslim politicians had discussed issues related to Muslims with him on various occasions. However, he added that he had never violated the procedure.

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

Published

13 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 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, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

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

Latest News

Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

18 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.

News

PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

18 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)