News
Planters’ Association flays Thondaman for abusing estate General Manager
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Condemning Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Minister Jeevan Thondaman (SLPP) for the verbal abuse of Suresh Navaratnam, General Manager of Elkaduwa Plantations, Matale, the Planters’ Association of Ceylon has emphasised that the management removed an illegal structure put up by non-workers. The incident took place on Sunday (20).
The Association has pointed out that illegal structures had been put up on government-owned Ratwatte estate, managed by Elkaduwa Plantations. Navaratnam served the Army Volunteer Force as a Major.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed Thondaman a Cabinet minister in January.
The Association said a non-worker had put up an illegal structure there, which the management wanted removed immediately. After reporting the matter to the police, the management exercised their authority to protect the state property as custodians of the land,in accordance with the law, the Association said.
“As the apex body of the plantation industry, we condemn such acts of high-handedness, abuse and use of threats by a government Cabinet Minister. We call upon the Minister to allow the management of relevant plantation companies to resolve such internal issues, in accordance with the laws of the land.”
The Island raised this issue with Plantations Minister Ramesh Pathirana who explained efforts made by the government to address the grievances of the estate community and maintain law and order. Minister Pathirana said that the government couldn’t ignore the need to improve the living conditions of the estate community. Allocation of land, through a proper process, was contemplated, the Galle district lawmaker said, adding that he was determined to go ahead with the planned action. The Matale incident shouldn’t be allowed to hinder the progress of work undertaken to improve the living conditions of those who toiled in estates.
Former Colombo Municipal Council member and civil society activist Sharmila Gonawela questioned the conduct of the Ministerial Security Division (MSD) personnel, assigned to Minister Thondaman, who was captured on camera threatening the estate General Manager. Pointing out that there had been previous incident, also in the upcountry region, where the same Minister intervened in a police matter, Gonawala urged Public Security Ministry and police to issue specific instructions to police bodyguards as regards their duties and responsibilities.
Public Security Minister Tiran Alles couldn’t be contacted for comments.
Meanwhile, Dhammike Kobbekaduwe, member ex-Planters’ Association, in an open letter to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has called for a thorough inquiry into the incident at the Ratwatte estate. Kobbekaduwe has urged the President to take into consideration the fact that the person who put up the illegal structure was an outsider. According to Kobbekaduwe, the issue could have been settled amicably if the man removed the illegal structure as agreed when the Elkaduwa management reported the trespass to the local police.
Kobbekaduwe has warned that this was not an isolated incident but in line with continuing strategy meant to intimidate estate management.
Lawmakers, representing several political parties, including the SJB, demanded in Parliament, on Tuesday, action against Maj. Navaratnam. Civil society activist Gonawala said that political parties hadn’t at least bothered to verify facts before speaking on behalf of a person who had encroached on government land.
The Island sought an explanation from Minister Thondaman who pointed out that the public weren’t aware of the other side of the story. The Minister assured that a statement would be issued in this regard. However, at the time this edition went to press The Island didn’t receive it.
Protesting Development Officers continued their hunger strike near the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo yesterday (01), for the seventh consecutive day.The protesters, who are members of the Lanka School Development Officers’ Association, are demanding that they be absorbed into the teacher service as they have served as teachers in state-run schools for nearly seven years.
Secretary of the Association, Viraj Manaranga, said the protesters were seeking an urgent meeting with the President. He added that a presidential aide had visited the protest site and offered to arrange for a meeting with the President on 03 Feb., but the union insisted on an earlier date. Manaranga warned that failure to grant a meeting could trigger a massive protest in Colombo today (02).
Four officers participating in the hunger strike have been hospitalised due to deteriorating health, while two more joined the fast on Saturday (31).
In a bid to raise awareness of their grievances, on 30 January a delegation of the All Island Development Officers’ Association visited Most Venerable
Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera, Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, and subsequently with the Chapter’s Registrar, Ven. Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera. The prelates said promises that had been made to them should be fulfilled.
The protest began on 26 January as a satyagraha, after authorities failed to respond to repeated requests to integrate the officers into the teaching service. The escalation into a fast-unto-death underscores the protesters’ frustration over the prolonged delay
by Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
The long-vacant post of Auditor General would be filled on 03 Feb., after months of controversy and delays, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake said on Friday (31) in Kandy.
The Constitutional Council met at the Parliamentary complex on Friday to discuss the appointment but failed to reach a decision on a suitable candidate. The President had previously proposed four names on four separate occasions, all of which were rejected. The Council is now set to consider the fifth nominee.
The post has remained vacant since April 2025, following the retirement of Chulanta Wickramaratne, who served as the 41st Auditor General. More than 10 months have passed without a permanent appointment.
Sources said a female officer in the Auditor General’s Department has been nominated again, though her previous recommendation was rejected due to some allegations against her.
Meanwhile, senior audit officer Dharmapala Gammanpila, with 31 years of service and the department’s most senior official, has received backing from the Mahanayake Theras of the three Nikayas, the Maha Sangha, and several civil society groups for appointment as the 42nd Auditor General.
Sources noted that the three civil society representatives on the Constitutional Council will play a crucial role in the final decision.
by Chaminda Silva and SK Samaranayake
Two 18-year-old youth were arrested by the Southern Division of the Western Province Crime Division on 31 January for allegedly aiding and abetting two murders carried out in Dehiwala and Kohuwala. ICE (crystal meth) was found in their possession at the time of arrest.
The suspects are residents of Mount Lavinia and Boralesgamuwa, according to the police. They are accused of having helped carry out a murder at a hotel in the Dehiwala Police Division on 9 January, 2026, and an attack on a person travelling in a three-wheeler at Bodhiyawatta, Kohuwala, on 12 December, 2025.
Police said the charges included sending photographs of the victims to a criminal living overseas.
Investigations revealed that the youth had acted under the direction of a criminal known as Sando.
Under the guidance of Janaka Kumara, Director of the Southern Division of the Western Province Crime Division, investigations are being led by Police Inspector Hemanta Kumara, assisted by Sub-Inspectors Prasanna Gunathilaka and Prasanna (40248), and Constables Chaminda (72987), Anil (79598), Kumar (88762), and Senanayake (19363), who are continuing the probe.
by Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva
Showers expected in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Western, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Central provinces
Development Officers threaten to intensify their protest
Auditor General to be appointed tomorrow
Two arrested for aiding and abetting murder
CID summons former First Lady again
Remembering Upali Wijewardene, founder of Upali Group of Companies
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
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