News
SJB urges Speaker to restore TNA MP Sumanthiran’s security
by Saman Indrajith
The main opposition SJB in Parliament called on Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to intervene in restoring the security detail given to TNA Jaffna district MP, M. A. Sumanthiran.
Chief Opposition Whip, Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella, said that Sumanthiran’s life has been exposed to danger and his security should be restored without further delay.
“We know the outcome of removing the security of political leaders who were under threat. When Janaka Perera contested for the Chief Minister post of the North Central Province, his security detail was removed. There was only one bodyguard left with him on the day he was killed. That was a very unfortunate incident. We have lost many good Tamil political leaders. It is our duty to protect the minorities and we call on the Speaker to take action to restore MP Sumanthiran’s security”, he said.
MP Kiriella said that an MP’s security should not be removed just because he participates in a protest march. “When Mahinda Rajapaksa took part in the Pada Yathra, his security was not removed. The then President Ranasinghe Premadasa ensured his security. That is political morality,” the chief opposition whip said.
Gampaha District SJB MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said that it was wrong to say a court order had been taken against the protest march. “As far as we know, the court order had been taken against violating quarantine laws. You cannot remove the security of an MP on the charge of violating quarantine laws”.
He further said: “It is wrong to describe the attempt to restore Sumanthiran’s security as an attempt to give security to a terrorist. Then what about the security given to Karuna Amman and Pillaiyan? Who is Pillayan? He used to come to my office on all-fours. Now look at how he stands up amidst his bodyguard soldiers. Sumanthiran was always against terrorism. It is unfair to rank him among terrorists”.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa: Sumanthiran was given a special security detail due to threats on his life. It has been removed now. However, the threats continue. I therefore request the Speaker to intervene in this matter to restore the MP’s security.
Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (Retd) Sarath Weerasekera: I removed Sumanthiran’s security as he participated in protests despite police warnings and court orders. We cannot give police protection to a person who attends unauthorized protests which are illegal. On the other hand, if Sumanthiran has real threats against his life, he should not go to places where 2,000-2,500 persons had gathered. He did that.
“Even after doing that, he is still alive. This means he has no threat to his life. So we have been right in removing his security. I informed him that it was a joke to provide police or STF security to persons who take part in illegal events. He did so against court orders.”
Sumanthiran said in Parliament the previous day that the government should take responsibility if anything should happen to him. The STF security of the MP was withdrawn immediately after his participation in the five-day Pottuvil to Polikandy march by Tamil political parties, civil society activists, and people from the North and East, he said.
The MP said that removal of his security would send a signal to those who wanted to harm him that they could go ahead. Therefore, if anything should happen, the government must take the responsibility for it.
Latest News
Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.
Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.
Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament yesterday that information uncovered during ongoing investigations indicated that Pulasthini Mahendran, also known as Sara Jasmine, linked to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, was not dead.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition MP Mujibur Rahuman, the Minister said there was no confirmation that Sara Jasmine was currently in India, despite speculation to that effect. He added that investigators suspected she may have fled the country and stressed that further inquiries were underway to establish her whereabouts.
“If necessary, the government will take steps to obtain a warrant,” Wijepala said, noting that legal action related to the Easter attacks had already been initiated, based on available evidence.
Minister Wijepala said the new government had launched an thorough probe to determine whether a political or other conspiracy had been behind the attacks that killed more than 270 people in 2019. However, he declined to disclose certain details in Parliament, citing the risk of hampering investigations.
Sara Jasmine, Mohammed Hashtun, who bombed St. Sebastian’s Church, in Katuwapitiya, in 2019, was long presumed to have died in a suicide blast in Sainthamaruthu, days after the attacks. Wijepala said attempts by previous administrations to establish her death had failed, with recent reports indicating that DNA tests conducted at the time were inconclusive.
During the debate, MP Rahuman recalled that senior figures, including then-Opposition MP Nalinda Jayatissa, had previously claimed Sara Jasmine was in India. He questioned why authorities had not sought an open warrant for her arrest whether the issue had been raised in talks with Indian officials.
Wijepala, responding on behalf of Deputy Minister of Defence Arun Jayasekara, said the government would not hesitate to pursue legal action, including warrants, if necessary.
By Saman Indrajith
The Chief of the Indian Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (07). On arrival, the COAS was accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army.
The Indian HC said that: “He will engage with senior military and civil leadership, including the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Deputy Minister of Defence and the Defence Secretary; and hold detailed discussions on matters of mutual interest, including training cooperation, capacity building and regional security.
During the visit, the COAS will address officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) and interact with officers and trainees at the Army War College, Buttala, reflecting India’s strong commitment to defence education and professional military exchanges with Sri Lanka.
General Dwivedi will also pay homage at the IPKF War Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers.”
General Dwivedi arrived here from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he attended several events during 05 to 06 January.
US seizes two ‘shadow fleet’ tankers linked to Venezuelan oil
Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas
Easter Sunday attacks: Govt. says wife of Katuwapitiya Church bomber alive
Indian Army Chief here
Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera
Govt. not controlled by ‘Power Mafias’; electricity prices will fall further – Jayakody
‘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
-
News2 days agoInterception of SL fishing craft by Seychelles: Trawler owners demand international investigation
-
News2 days agoBroad support emerges for Faiszer’s sweeping proposals on long- delayed divorce and personal law reforms
-
News3 days agoPrivate airline crew member nabbed with contraband gold
-
News1 day agoPrez seeks Harsha’s help to address CC’s concerns over appointment of AG
-
News1 day agoGovt. exploring possibility of converting EPF benefits into private sector pensions
-
News5 days agoHealth Minister sends letter of demand for one billion rupees in damages
-
Features2 days agoEducational reforms under the NPP government
-
Features3 days agoPharmaceuticals, deaths, and work ethics