News

Tribute to Police Commandos who sacrificed their lives to defend country at darkest hour

Published

4 years ago

2022/09/1

Sahan Weerasooriya

STF Commemoration Day

by Nimal Lewke

The 1st of September 1984 was a very significant day for the STF for many reasons; it was the day when the unit was named the Special Task Force, which had earlier been known as the Special Striking Squad of the Police.

DIG Zerney Wijesuriya was appointed Commandant, and I, too, was invited to join this new unit by Zerney Wijesuriya, and Founder of the Unit, Ravi Jayawardena. This discussion took place at the Police Training School Firing Range as all of us were attending pistol shooting practices at the range.

Later in the night, we received a message that 55 squad members who were deployed at the Point Pedro Police Station had hit a landmine in the Thikkam area and four of them had died. Many things happened thereafter with a new Commandant taking over (Zerney Wijesuriya) and Deputy Lional Karunasena. I, too, was appointed.

Ravi Jayawardena, who was the Defence Advisor to the President at that time, secured the services of a British Security firm, KMS, to send instructors to train the newly-formed unit, which consisted of police officers who had undergone basic police training.

The Katukurunda Training Wing was set up under SSP Upali Sahabandu, and all the Instructors were British Ex-SAS Officers. After a very comprehensive, and strenuous 12 weeks training programme, the officers and men were posted to two camps, in the Batticaloa District.

The STF started with two camps in Batticaloa, Kallady (N. K lllangakoon, ASP Base Commander) and (Nimal Lewke IP) Base Commander, Kalawanchikudi. Later with the expertise training, over a period of time, many camps were established to cover Batticaloa and Ampara Districts.

Since all officers and men were young; they were very active and carried out search OPS patrols, ambushes, and raids, identified terror locations, hide outs and dominated the area, without putting unnecessary pressure on the general public.

With a very effective Communication (Secure) system, under the guidance of ASP Denver Wijesuriya “Com Expert,” all terrorist communication and movement were closely monitored and intercepted which gave a huge advantage to the troops. GIS systems and Direct Finders were used for the first time to locate terrorist locations.

These Technical Intelligence, coupled with human intelligence, was a huge asset to the STF operations. All terrorist bases were located and destroyed with well planned operations.

I happened to be involved in most OPS, and even led operations to locate LITE Bases.

1. Beirut, Kockadicholai

2. 46 Base lralukulam

3. 48 Base Kanjikudiaru

We captured all these bases and established STF camps in those locations. As our concept was to “Dominate the area between STF and the enemy.”

All those achievement were possible due to the very high Discipline and Commitment of all ranks, especially Troup Commanders, Sector Commanders, and Base Commanders, who were very much focussed on their task and gave their hundred percent.

With the Parliament bomb blast, in 1987, the President’s Security was entrusted to the STF. Selected personnel with a proven track record were trained by the special Israeli VIP Protection Experts. I was entrusted with the task of handling this very important task at a very crucial time, and the STF VIP unit achieved very high standards and a good reputation. Even the Indian and Maldivian Security Teams were trained at the STF Training wing in 2006.

These are hard earned achievements of the STF during the period under review, and basically, as a Para Military Police Unit, they have displayed immense courage and team spirit to protect the innocent people and youth from terrorism.

Furthermore, their ability and efficiency to plan out security for key installations such as the Parliament, the airport, the oil refinery, Kelanitissa power plant, and many other important places at crucial times, are highly commendable. Winning the confidence of the masses was a huge achievement under tremendous pressure, and it gave hope for the people and the younger generation, that they have a future.

It was not an easy journey as terrorists used explosives as their main weapon to curtail troop movements and targeted VIPP with IED (Improvised Explosion Devices).

The STF expertise was far more advanced in this field and managed to neutralise same with efficiency and identified the threat in advance as we believed that “if you have the will there is a way”

Even with absolute commitment/training and the expertise, 464 of our beloved members sacrificed their lives to defend their motherland, and 764 were injured/disabled due the war. Dear departed heroes “at the going down of the sun and in the mornings, you’ll will be in our thoughts forever.”

Finally, one of the main reasons for this conflict is the distrust among the two leading communities and it is important that the majority community gives confidence to the minority communities and strengthen the bond between the two communities as it will be the answer to the unfortunate situation and build that most wanted bridge for all – to live in harmony

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Addressing the drug issue in the country must be treated as a national priority – PM

Published

15 hours ago

2026/03/15

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that addressing the drug issue in the country must be treated as a national priority, highlighting that it must deliver results at the ground level.

A meeting to brief the Prime Minister on the National Strategic Plan for the Management, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Persons with Substance Use Disorders (SUD) 2026–2030 was held with the participation of officials from the Ministry of Health and Mass Media and other key stakeholders on 13th of March at the Temple Trees.

The discussion focused on the proposed national strategy developed to address the growing health, social and economic challenges associated with substance use disorders in Sri Lanka. The strategic plan aims to strengthen prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration services through a coordinated and evidence-based national approach.

During the meeting, attention was drawn to existing gaps in early identification of substance use disorders, continuity of care, community-based follow-up and reintegration of recovering individuals into society. The plan proposes several key interventions, including strengthening screening and symptomatic treatment at primary healthcare and outpatient levels, improving hospital-based treatment and follow-up services, expanding residential rehabilitation facilities, and enhancing community-based rehabilitation and relapse prevention programmes.

Special emphasis has also been placed on providing targeted support for vulnerable groups, including children and adolescents, pregnant women, mothers with children and prison inmates.

Speaking on the importance of strengthening the national response to drug issues, the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya noted that the drug menace has evolved into a serious social crisis that threatens social stability and security of families and the nation as a whole highlighting that law enforcement and rehabilitation in this regard must be given equal priority.

The Prime Minister further underscored the importance of including public awareness initiatives and responsible media reporting as key components of the national strategy.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Health Dr. Anil Jasinghe, officials from the Department of Prisons, Bureau of Rehabilitation, Sri Lanka Police Ministry of health, Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Justice and National Integration ,Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and other relevant department and ministries.

[Prime minister’s Media Division]

Latest News

QR code system will be implemented for fuel with effect from 06.00 a.m. today (15th)

Published

21 hours ago

2026/03/15

Priyan

In light of the prevailing geopolitical developments in Middle East, the petroleum product supply chain has been adversely affected. At the same time, the demand for fuel has increased abnormally, resulting in a depletion of the country’s existing fuel stock. Therefore, it has become necessary to carefully manage the available fuel reserves in order to sustain the nation’s economic activities.

Furthermore, it has recently been observed that certain groups have been illegally purchasing fuel in excessive quantities. The Government of Sri Lanka intends to prevent such improper consumption and ensure an uninterrupted fuel supply for the day-to-day needs and economic activities of the general public.

Accordingly, a QR code system will be implemented with effect from 06.00 a.m. on 15.03.2026.

Fuel will not be issued by any operating filling station in the country without a valid QR code from 06.00 a.m. on 15.03.2026.

Steps to Obtain the QR Code

Users who have already registered for the QR Code
Users whose vehicle ownership and registered mobile number remain unchanged since their initial registration may download their QR Code from the website https://fuelpass.gov.lk/ starting from midnight on 14.03.2026, using the ‘Vehicle Login’ button.
Users whose vehicle ownership or registered mobile number has changed since their last registration are required to re-register their details through the website https://fuelpass.gov.lk/ starting from 6.00 a.m. on 15.03.2026, using the ‘Vehicle Registration’ button.
Users who have not previously registered for the QR Code and users with newly registered vehicles at
the RMV
Registration can be completed starting from 06.00 a.m. on 15.03.2026 through the
website https://fuelpass.gov.lk/, using the ‘Vehicle Registration’ button.

The number of litres allocated for each category of vehicle is stated below.

A special fuel issuance system will be implemented for vehicles required to support national production and essential services.

Vehicle Class	Capacity control volume for fuel pass (L)
Buses	60
Motor cycle	5
Van	40
Motor car	15
Motor Lorry	200
Land Vehicles	25
Three Wheeler	15
Special Purpose Vehicle	40
Quadricycle	5

[Sri Lanka Transport Board will issue fuel to the private buses].

News

Lanka discovers largest groundwater source

Published

22 hours ago

2026/03/15

Thilina Walpola

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) on Friday said the largest groundwater source discovered in Sri Lanka so far had been identified during tube-well drilling near the Pitabeddara Police Station.

Indrajith Gamage, geologist in charge of the Southern Province, said the source recorded a continuous flow of about 10,000 litres (10 cubic metres) per minute, marking the first instance in the country where a groundwater source of that magnitude had been found.

He noted that the previous largest groundwater source was discovered in the Madhu area, which recorded a flow of about 7,000 litres per minute.

According to the NWSDB, the tube well was drilled following geological studies of rock layers and the identification of underground water through fractures in rock strata using specialised technical instruments.

The Board said steps would be taken to distribute water from the newly discovered source to residents facing shortages in Pitabeddara, Morawaka and surrounding areas.