The Supreme Court yesterday held that the fundamental rights of social activist Anuruddha Bandara had been violated due to his arrest and detention during the 2022 Aragalaya protest movement.

Delivering its determination in a fundamental rights petition filed by Bandara, the Court found that former Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) for the Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon and former Officer-in-Charge of the Colombo North Special Investigation Unit Nalin Sriyantha were responsible for the violation. The Court ruled that the actions of Tennakoon and Sriyantha in arresting and detaining Bandara amounted to an infringement of his constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights.

The sea phase of the Trincomalee Naval Exercise 2026 (TRINEX-26) commenced off the Trincomalee coast on July 21, with the Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force conducting a series of joint operational drills to enhance maritime readiness and security capabilities.

The large-scale exercise involves the participation of the Sri Lanka Navy Fleet, the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla, the Special Boat Squadron, the Sri Lanka Navy Marines and the Sri Lanka Air Force, focusing on strengthening joint operational coordination and interoperability.

On the opening day, participating units conducted several exercises, including Miscellaneous Exercises (MISCEX), Surface Firing Exercises (SURFEX), Screening Exercises (SCREENEX), Gunnery Exercises (GUNEX) and Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) operations.

The programme also includes a range of maritime operations and emergency response drills such as Search and Rescue Exercises (SAREX), Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) exercises, Replenishment at Sea (RAS), towing exercises, flashing exercises (FLASHEX) and anchoring drills.

The Navy said TRINEX-26 would provide an important training platform for officers and sailors to enhance professional skills while improving the services’ ability to respond effectively to maritime challenges.

The exercise is aimed at further strengthening the preparedness of the armed forces in maintaining maritime security and responding to operational contingencies.

The Court of Appeal yesterday postponed further consideration of a writ petition filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa seeking an order preventing his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The petition was taken up before the Court, with President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva appearing for Rajapaksa and making reply submissions.

After hearing the submissions, the bench directed that further arguments in the matter be taken up on August 3.