News
SDIG admits no written reports submitted to Defence Secy on possible terrorist attacks
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Former SIS Director SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena, on Wednesday, admitted before the PCoI investigating the Easter Sunday attacks that he hadn’t sent written reports on possible terrorist attacks, between April 01 and 20, to the former defence secretary, Hemasiri Fernando.
This was revealed when Counsel Dilshan Jayasuriya appearing for Fernando cross-examined SDIG Jayewardena.
Jayasuriya asked SDIG Jayewardena whom he reported to as the Former SIS Director, Jayewardena said that he had reported directly to the Defence Secretary. Fernando served as the Defence Secretary from 22 November 2018 till two days after the Easter Sunday attacks.
SDIG Jayewardena also said that he had been close to Fernando professionally and that there were times that they spoke on the phone two to three times a day. On average they would speak on the phone 80 times a month, the witness said.
Jayasuriya asked SDIG Jayewardena whether he had, in writing, conveyed to Fernando information he received from a foreign counterpart about a possible terrorist attack by Zahran Hashim and his associates between April 01 and 20. Jayewardena said that while he had not sent a report to Fernando, he called the former Defence Secretary to inform him of the intelligence information on April 07.
“I received the information on April 04, 2019 and during the next few days I did a record check and sent an SIS team to the East. On April 07, I called Fernando and conveyed the information and obtained permission to inform former CNI Sisira Mendis of it. CNI gets intelligence reports from many Sri Lankan agencies, so I thought he could make a better decision.”
Counsel Jayasuriya then alleged that SDIG Jayewardena had not informed Fernando of the attacks over the phone. Jayewardena said that he had evidence to prove his claim.
“There really is no need to provide intelligence or information in writing to people in the same field. Sometimes, a call or even a hand signal is enough. It is only after April 21 that everyone is obsessed over letters.”
Counsel Jayasuriya then asked the witness whether he agreed that the SIS had no clue about a possible terrorist attack until a foreign intelligence agency tipped them off. SDIG Jayewardena said that while they had not been aware of the planned terrorist attack, SIS had been informed of the danger posed by Zahran Hashim from 2017 and had urged relevant agencies to arrest him.
News
Police officers donate LKR 9,687,462 from day’s salary to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
A sum of LKR. 9,687,462, raised from day’s salary officers of the Police Department, has been donated to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to support the recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to assist in rebuilding the country following the disaster.
To date, officers of the Police Department have contributed over LKR. 74 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund through three such contributions of one day’s salary.
The donation was presented on Wednesday (22) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by the Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police C. C. Bamunuarachchi, to the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Chief Inspector Udaya Kumara, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Secretariat, was also present on the occasion.
[Presidents Media Division]
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 26 April 2026, valid for 27 April 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, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district 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 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
Opposition asks for PSC to probe Treasury theft
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.
Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.
The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.
The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.
He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.
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