News
Acting IGP: Political involvement uncovered in recent underworld hits across the country
Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya has informed Parliament that police investigations have uncovered political involvement—at varying levels—in recent underworld killings and shooting incidents across the country.
He made these remarks during a high-level discussion held at the Parliament complex, under the patronage of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, with the participation of Opposition party leaders and senior security officials, the Parliament Media Division said.
The revelation comes amid growing security concerns raised by MPs, particularly from the Opposition, following a spate of violent incidents linked to criminal gangs and drug networks.
The Acting IGP said that some politicians have been identified as having connections to these crimes and said steps are being taken to further investigate, and to act on the findings.
During the discussion, convened following a formal request by several Opposition leaders on 20th May, Acting IGP Weerasuriya said proposals submitted by MPs, requesting enhanced personal security, will be forwarded to the National Security Council for further consideration. He noted that security provisions have already been extended to MPs whose final threat assessment reports have been completed.
Speaker Wickramaratne called on the Acting IGP to brief the assembly on the progress of these assessments and the broader security landscape. In response, Weerasuriya emphasised that many of the recent violent incidents are rooted in gang rivalries and drug-related turf wars.
The discussion also saw divergent views on how to address immediate security needs.
MP Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna proposed that MPs be permitted to carry firearms for personal protection, if adequate security cannot be ensured. However, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa rejected the idea, asserting that in a functioning democracy, responsibility for security must rest with the state and not the individual.
MP Ravi Karunanayake supported enhanced security for newer parliamentarians, especially those engaged in anti-drug efforts. Both Premadasa and Karunanayake called for transparency, requesting that any evidence of criminal involvement by MPs—even within their own parties—be formally submitted.
MPs Gajendra Kumar Ponnambalam and Dilith Jayaweera also voiced concern, advocating for the continuation of full security coverage for those who have raised legitimate threats until their assessments were finalised.
The meeting was attended by the Acting IGP, the Director of the Ministerial Security Division, Speaker Wickramaratne, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilaka, and several Opposition party leaders and security officials, the Parliament Media Division said.
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 01 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended 11 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan of Kareinagar, Jaffna.
The Northern Naval Command spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters. In response, naval craft of the Northern Naval Command were deployed to drive away those Indian fishing boats from island waters off Kovilan.
Meanwhile, compliant boarding made by naval personnel resulted in the seizure of one Indian fishing boat and apprehension of 11 Indian fishermen who continued to engage in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
The seized boat (01) and Indian fishermen (11) were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
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Tri-Forces donate LKR. 372 million, a day’s pay of all ranks to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
Members of all ranks from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force have collectively donated a day’s basic salary to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, which was established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Accordingly, the total contribution made by the Tri-Forces amounts to LKR. 372,776,918.28.
The cheques representing the financial contributions were handed over on Wednesday (31 December) at the Presidential Secretariat to the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The donations comprised LKR. 250 million from the Commander of the Army, Major General Lasantha Rodrigo; LKR. 73,963,879.71 from the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and LKR. 48,813,038.97 from the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe.
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, was also present on the occasion.
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has submitted a proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) seeking an 11.57 percent increase in electricity tariffs for the first quarter of 2026, citing an estimated revenue shortfall and additional financial pressures, including cyclone-related damages.
According to documents issued by the PUCSL, the proposed tariff revision would apply to electricity consumption from January to March 2026 and includes changes to both energy charges and fixed monthly charges across all consumer categories, including domestic, religious, industrial, commercial and other users.
Under the proposal, domestic electricity consumers would face increases in unit rates as well as fixed monthly charges across all consumption blocks.
The CEB has estimated a deficit of Rs. 13,094 million for the first quarter of 2026, which it says necessitates the proposed 11.57 per cent tariff hike. The utility has noted that any deviation from this estimate whether a surplus or a shortfall will be adjusted through the Bulk Supply Tariff Adjustment (BSTA) mechanism and taken into account in the next tariff revision.
In its submission, the CEB said the proposed revision is aimed at ensuring the financial and operational stability of the power sector and mitigating potential risks to the reliability of electricity supply. The board-approved tariff structure for the first quarter of 2026 has been submitted to the PUCSL for approval and subsequent implementation, as outlined in Annex II of the proposal.
The CEB has also highlighted the financial impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which it said caused extensive damage to electricity infrastructure, with total losses estimated at around Rs. 20 billion. Of this amount, Rs. 7,016.52 million has been attributed to the first quarter of 2026, which the utility said has a direct bearing on electricity tariffs.
The CEB warned that if external funding is not secured to cover the cyclone-related expenditure, the costs incurred would need to be recovered through electricity tariffs in the second-quarter revision of 2026.
Meanwhile, the PUCSL has said that a decision on whether to approve the proposed tariff increase will be made only after following due regulatory procedures and holding discussions on the matter.
By Sujeewa Thathsara ✍️
Two people killed in magnitude 6.5 earthquake in Mexico
President Trump says the US has ‘captured’ Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and flown them out of the country
Navy seize an Indian fishing boat poaching in northern waters
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Venezuela’s capital hit by explosions, Caracas blames the US
Tri-Forces donate LKR. 372 million, a day’s pay of all ranks to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
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