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.
The Navy taking prompt action were able to douse a fire that broke out on a fishing trawler at the Galle Fisheries Harbour on 14 Apr 25.
The blaze was first spotted by personnel on board SLNS Prathapa, stationed nearby. Acting swiftly, a diving team from the Southern Naval Command, along with harbour security personnel, rushed to the scene.
Their initial efforts focused on separating the trawler that had caught fire to prevent the flames from spreading. With the situation under partial control, the fire extinguishing system of SLNS Prathapa was activated, successfully dousing the remaining flames, through coordinated efforts of the diving and harbour security personnel.
Latest News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 16 April 2025, valid for 17 April 2025
The general public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts
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 table below 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.
The government, in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the Bar Association (BASL), has put in place a system to check lawyers entering selected courts. This follows the killing of Ganemulle Sanjeewa by an underworld hitman, masquerading as a lawyer, in one of the Magistrate Courts at Hulftsdorp, on the morning of 19 February.
Responding to The Island queries in this regard, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara yesterday (16) confirmed the new security arrangement. Minister Nanayakkara, who is also an Attorney-at-Law, declined to elaborate.
Although the police apprehended the suspected assassin, a couple of hours later, the woman, who smuggled in the firearm used in the killing, also masquerading as a lawyer, is still at large.
Newly elected BASL President, Attorney-at-Law Rajeev Amarasuriya, said that scanners had been installed at selected places in line with the security arrangements introduced, following the 19 February shooting in a court. Amarasuriya said so responding to The Island query regarding the post-Hulftsdorp Court complex shooting developments.
The BASL Chief emphasised the pivotal importance of ensuring, what he called, a hassle-free environment for law officers, regardless of security checks necessitated by the latest shooting. Amarasuriya said that security measures should be in place in accordance with threat assessments pertaining to cases taken up at various courts.
The first courtroom killing took place in Nov. 1991 when Sub Inspector Dhammika Amarasena, who had been interdicted over the Wavulkelle massacre, was shot dead while inside the Attanagalle Magistrate court. Amarasena’s father-in-law, who had been seated next to the interdicted policeman, was also killed.
The second courtroom shooting happened in January 2004 when an Army deserter shot dead Dhamamika Amarasinghe inside the Hulftsdorp court complex. Although Dhammika Amarasinghe’s killer gained entry to the court, posing off as a law student, authorities never implemented a comprehensive security plan. However, in the wake of Ganemulle Sanjeewa’s killing, acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya, who is also a lawyer, underscored the need to check law officers.
The BASL President said that they were still in the developing stage of the security set up, taking into consideration views expressed by various stakeholders. Referring to Ganemulle Sanjeewa’s assassin carrying a forged BASL identity card, Amarasuriya stressed the need to use technology in counter measures to thwart such practices.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
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