News

Retired DIG: Tangible measures required to restore public confidence in police

Published

1 year ago

2025/04/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

Jayakody

Probe into IGP Deshabandu: Justice Suresena’s committee meets today

The House Committee of Inquiry appointed to probe and report its findings on IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon will meet in parliament today (30).

Committee of Inquiry appointed through a parliamentary resolution in terms of Section 5 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, is chaired by Supreme Court Judge P.P. Surasena (Chairman). The other members of the committee are Justice W.M.O.P. Iddawala and Chairman, National Police Commission (NPC) E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake.

M. Jayalath Perera, Director Legislative Services / Director Communication (Acting) yesterday (29) said that a police investigation team has been appointed to assist the committee. The names of its members have been submitted to the Committee of Inquiry probing what the official called acts of gross abuse of power.

This appointment has been made in response to a formal request by the Committee to the Acting IGP, seeking the assistance of a police investigation team to support the Committee’s investigation, Perera said. Since the appointment of the committee, it has met on three occasions with the last meeting held on Monday (28).

According to the House press office, the committee under the leadership of Supreme Court Justice Surasena for the first time met in parliament on April 23.

Political sources pointed out that while Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, PC, named justice Surasena, Premier Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa agreed on the appointment of justice Iddawala as their nominee while the inclusion of Chairman of NPC is mandatory in terms of the relevant Act.

Sources said that the focus of the inquiry would be deployment of CCD (Colombo Crime Division) to mount an operation on Dec 31, 2023 targeting W 15 hotel at Weligama. During the proceedings at the Matara Magistrate court it has come to light that IGP Tennakoon dispatched CCD team without informing the local police thereby leading to a fire-fight between the team from Colombo and joint Weligama police-army mobile patrol near W 15 hotel.

Retired Senior DIG Priyantha Jayakody said that it would be the responsibility of the powers that be to ensure the restoration of public confidence in law enforcement.

Jayakody served as the Senior DIG Crimes and Organised Crimes at the time of his retirement in 2021. Referring to the Weligama incident, Jayakody said that the allegations that had been made against the IGP pertaining to the deployment of CCD outside laid out procedures eroded public faith in the government. Therefore the appointment of the Committee of Inquiry in line with the relevant act to probe the IGP conducted without undue delay should be appreciated, Jayakody said, pointing out that the government and the Opposition had agreed on the process undertaken.

The retired DIG said so in response to The Island queries regarding possible impact the investigation could have on the police.

Jayakody said that in terms of the Constitution that had been introduced in 1978, the appointment and removal of the IGP was the President’s prerogative. However, as many felt that privilege undermined good governance, through the 17th Amendment to the Constitution that had been introduced unanimously, the power to appoint IGP was entrusted with the Constitution Council, Jayakody said.

The CC was meant to ensure public representation in the decision making process at the highest level, Jayakody said. “At the beginning 10-member CC included five civil society representatives. Subsequently, civil representation was brought down to three,” Jayakody said, adding that the failure on the part of that Amendment to propose a mechanism/system to remove a person appointed by CC to high office was a serious lapse on the part of parliament at that time.

Had the 19th Amendment addressed that as well, there wouldn’t have been any need to appoint a Committee of Inquiry to probe IGP Tennakoon.

Tennakoon was appointed IGP on February 26, 2024. The controversial policeman received the appointment as Acting IGP on Nov 29, 2023 in spite of strong protests from various quarters.

Jayakody said that the move against the IGP was a lesson for all law enforcement officers regardless of rank that operating outside procedures could be quite disastrous.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

All News Advertisement

News

PM participated in ’Swarnabhivandana 2026,’ Sacred Relic Veneration Ceremony

Published

6 hours ago

2026/05/4

Priyan

In line with the 2026 Vesak Poya Day, the ‘Swarnabhivandana 2026’ Sacred Relic Veneration ceremony, organized by the Sri Sudarshanarama Temple, Kiribathgoda under the guidance of the Chief incumbent of the temple, and the Head of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies at the University of Ruhuna and a Senior Lecturer Ven. Makola Mangala Nayaka was held on 3rd of May with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The Prime Minister stated that it was a rare privilege to take part in such a noble religious event. She noted that devotees have been presented with a rare opportunity to venerate sacred relics, including those of the Supreme Buddha and Maha Arahants of Seewali, Angulimala, Anuruddha, and Mihindu Theros.

She further emphasized that such religious programmes contribute to the spiritual development of society and help invoke blessings upon the country.

The Prime Minister also expressed her sincere gratitude to the Chief Incumbent Thero for his guidance in successfully organizing this meritorious event, as well as to the Dayaka Sabha of the temple and all those who contributed with dedication.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Colombo, Gampaha, Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time

Published

12 hours ago

2026/05/4

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 03 May 2026, valid for 04 May 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, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Colombo, Gampaha, Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time.

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 the 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.

News

USD 3.7 bn H’tota refinery: China won’t launch project without bigger local market share

Published

12 hours ago

2026/05/4

Thilina Walpola

China has declared that China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC) will not proceed with the USD 3.7 bn Hambantota oil refinery project unless a consensus could be reached on the percentage of the output that could be sold in the local market.

China has informed the NPP government that SINOPECwill not be able to sustain the project in terms of the original agreement that stipulated that 80% of the output be exported and 20 % sold in the Sri Lankan market, according to sources familiar with the issue.

Once fully operational, the strategic facility will be able to process 200,000 barrels of crude oil a day. The proposed facility, together with the Hambantota International port, which was taken over by China in 2017 on a 99-year lease, emphasise significant Chinese presence in the country.

SINOPEC with about 12% market share is among the foreign companies engaged in fuel distribution in Sri Lanka at the moment. Other foreign players are Lanka India Oil Company (LIOC) and joint venture by Shell Brands International AG (Shell) and RM Parks (Private) Limited, the latter being the latest entrant.

LIOC entered the market way back in 2003 during Ranil Wickremesinghe’s tenure as the Prime Minister. LIOC holds the second biggest market share with 211 fuel stations with SINOPEC being third and joint Shell Brands International AG (Shell) and RM Parks (Private) Limited in fourth place. CPC remains the market leader with some 800 odd fuel stations countrywide.

Sources said that whatever the Chinese and Sri Lankan government representatives said in public the launch of the project primarily would depend on a new formula. The Island learns that the Chinese expect to sell 30% of the output here. “The Chinese are of the view that 20% share is not sufficient to sustain the project,” sources said.

Sri Lanka and China in January 2025 announced plans for the SINOPEC project dubbed the largest single Chinese direct investment here following President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s three-day state visit to Beijing. Dissanayake’s delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs, Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake, and Sri Lankan Ambassador to China, Majintha Jayesinghe. Outspoken Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong was also present at all key meetings with representatives of China Petrochemical Corporation (SINOPEC Group), China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC), China Merchants Group (CMG), Huawei, and BYD Auto, a leading company in the automobile manufacturing sector.

Pointing out that Sri Lanka and China hadn’t been able to resolve the knotty problem for about 15 months, sources said that Sri Lanka was also under pressure from India to expedite the Trincomalee oil tank farm development project. Sri Lanka finalized an agreement with India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) in early April 2025 to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub.

Sources said that in line with the overall plans involving China as well as India-UAE, Sri Lanka was required to enhance the fuel storage facilities as soon as possible. The ongoing West Asia conflict underscored the responsibility on the part of the incumbent dispensation to take tangible measures to enhance storage facilities.

The Trincomalee and Hambantota projects could be on a collision course, sources said. The likelihood of Indo-Lanka agreements in respect of WW two era oil tank farms in Trincomalee, particularly the one negotiated during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidency having animpact on the Hambantota oil refinery couldn’t be ruled out, sources said.

President Dissanayake during his May Day address disclosed the crisis faced by his government in ensuring uninterrupted oil supplies. Dissanayake said that the government had no option but to increase fuel quotas given to various categories in view of the arrival of fuel ships in Colombo as Sri Lanka lacked storage facilities.

Sources said that energy insecurity was at stake due to the continuing instability in the global markets caused by US actions in Hormuz Strait.

Newly-appointed Energy Minister Anura Karunathilake is believed to be engaged in consultations with relevant parties. Earlier Punyakumara Dissanayake who resigned recently over the coal scam handled the Hambantota refinery matter.

by Shamindra Ferdinando