News
Police seek deportation of ASP over role played in actor’s drama
by Norman Palihawadane
Police said yesterday that it would obtain a court order seeking the deportation of an Assistant Superintendent of Police who had fled the country after being exposed for helping former SLPP Anuradhapura District MP Uddika Premaratne to orchestrate a shooting incident.
The suspect, ASP Sanjeewa Mahanama, was attached to the Police Transport Division and based in Anuradhapura at the time of the incident.
Police spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that investigations into the shooting incident had revealed that ASP Mahanama carried out the shooting on the instructions of Premaratne. ASP Mahanama had returned his service pistol to the police through a third party before leaving the country on 12 June, the Spokesman said. ASP Mahanama had not obtained permission from the Police Headquarters to leave the country.
DIG Thalduwa said that police would obtain a court order for Mahanama’s deportation. On 17 September, 2023, a group of unidentified gunmen opened fire on Premaratne’s car shortly after he returned to his residence in Anuradhapura. Premaratne said that he had managed to escape unharmed.
The Anuradhapura police initiated investigations immediately after the incident was reported. Subsequently, the CID took over the investigation.On 27 February, 2024, Premaratne resigned from Parliament. He subsequently migrated to Canada.
News
Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya stated that the necessary financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces. She emphasized that these funds must be utilized effectively for school development and requested that relevant authorities submit proposals to address existing shortcomings in school infrastructure.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during a cordial meeting with Muslim women in the Wellawaya area on 1st of March.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister met with the Chief Sanghanayake of the Uva Wellassa region and the Chief Incumbent of Yudaganawa Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Most Venerable Galtemwatte Nandarathana Nayaka Thero, and briefed him on the current progress of the new education reforms.
She further stated that, while ensuring due recognition for vocational education, steps are being taken to develop 50 vocational training centers equipped with modern courses, covering all 25 districts of the country. She also noted that new education reforms will be introduced for Grade 6 starting in 2027, and that the printing of new textbooks will be entrusted to the Educational Publications Department of the Ministry of Education.
The occasion was attended by Uva Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security R.M. Jayawardhana, Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijewardene, local government representatives, the Buttala Divisional Secretary and the District Secretary.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Department of Immigration and Emmigration has decided effective from 28th February 2026, to grant a free fourteen (14) day visa extension to all tourists who are unable to leave Sri Lanka due to flight cancellations. 
The Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrived at the Port of Colombo for replenishment purposes on 02 Mar 26. The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.
The ship is a 48.9m long Offshore Patrol Vessel which is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Nafiu Mohamed.
Meanwhile, the ship’s crew is scheduled to visit several tourist attractions in the city of Colombo, during their stay in the island.
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