Chairman of the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha, controlled by the SJB, has been accused of assaulting the Secretary of the same local authority, following a dispute over a council project.

The injured Secretary was admitted to the District Hospital in Weththewa, Matugama, for treatment, after sustaining injuries in the alleged incident, according to reports.

Police said the incident occurred yesterday morning (30) when the Chairman arrived at the Pradeshiya Sabha premises and an argument erupted between the two over a development project. The dispute reportedly escalated, resulting in the Chairman allegedly physically assaulting the Secretary.

The Secretary has since lodged a formal complaint with the Matugama Police.

Matugama Police have launched a comprehensive investigation into the alleged assault.

Former Minister Douglas Devananda, who was arrested and remanded in connection with a firearms-related investigation, has been admitted to the Mahara Prison Hospital on medical advice.

According to police, Devananda was transferred to the prison hospital following recommendations made by doctors after assessing his health condition.

The former Minister was arrested by the CID on 26 December and later produced before the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court, which ordered that he be remanded until 09 January, 2026.

Devananda was taken into custody in connection with an investigation into an incident in which personal firearm provided to him allegedly came into the possession of an organised criminal gang. The weapon is reported to have been issued to him by the Sri Lanka Army in 2001 for personal protection during his tenure as a Minister.

According to the police, investigations have revealed that the firearm was recovered in 2019 following the interrogation of organised criminal figure Makandure Madush. Police said an inspection of the serial number confirmed that the weapon had been issued to Devananda.

The pistol was later found concealed in a forested area near a culvert in Weliweriya, according to CID sources.

Following his arrest, the CID obtained a 72-hour detention order to question Devananda further. Police also said investigations had been expanded to examine additional firearms issued to the former Minister by the Sri Lanka Army.

Accordingly, the CID has launched inquiries into 19 more firearms allegedly issued to Devananda to face the LTTE threat as part of the ongoing probe.

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed before the Supreme Court by a Kandy-based Attorney-at-Law, alleging that authorities failed to take necessary preventive measures to minimise the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

Petitioner Keerthi Bandara, is seeking a ruling that his basic human rights were violated due to what he describes as the authorities’ failure to act adequately to reduce the impact of the disaster.

The petition names President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, members of the Cabinet of Ministers and members of the National Disaster Management Committee as respondents. The Attorney General has been cited to appear on behalf of the respondents.

The petitioner contends that timely and effective disaster preparedness and response measures were not implemented, resulting in avoidable harm and hardship.