News
Alleged attempt on SJB leader’s life: Sajith confirms Johnston’s accusation
Handunetti says accusers must have their heads examined
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday (24) confirmed that an abortive attempt was made on his life at Galle Face on the afternoon of May 09, 2022 in the wake of the attack by SLPP goons on those who had barricaded themselves outside the Presidential Secretariat.
Colombo District MP Premadasa said so in response to The Island query. We sought the Opposition Leader’s reaction to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Kurunegala District MP Johnston Fernando’s declaration that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) made an attempt to assassinate the SJB leader.
Former Minister Fernando said that the Opposition Leader could have been killed on the road if not for the quick thinking of his driver who reversed the vehicle after Premadasa got into it to escape those chasing him.
MP Premadasa said: “That is correct.”
Top JVP spokesman and former MP Sunil Handunetti said that those who made that claim should have their heads examined. No sane person would have held the JVP responsible for that incident at Galle Face, the ex-MP said.
JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath didn’t answer his hand phone.
Lawmaker Fernando lambasted the JVP at the opening of his main Kurunegala district political office at Wilegoda at the outskirts of Kurunegala town on Poya day (April 23).
Alleging JVP activists destroyed his political office during the May 09/10, 2022 violence, MP Fernando said the JVP was nothing but a murderous outfit that also made an attempt on the SJB leader’s life.
SLPP Chairman Mahinda Rajapaksa presided over the meeting. MP Namal Rajapaksa was among those present on the occasion.
MP Fernando paid a glowing tribute to the SLPP founder Basil Rajapakse whom he declared the most capable organizer still active behind the scenes though various interested parties sought to ridicule him.
SLPP’s National Organizer MP Namal Rajapaksa, too, addressed the gathering.
MP Fernando later told The Island that the SJB leader obviously went to Galle Face on that day to declare his support for the high profile; ‘Gotagohome’ campaign. The SJB, both in and outside Parliament, backed the campaign against the then government but the JVP was not ready to recognize the right of any political party to join the protest movement.
Lawmaker Fernando claimed that had the JVPers captured Premadasa, the fate of Polonnaruwa District MP Amarakeerthi Atukorale would have befallen him. MP Atukorale was lynched along with his police bodyguard at Nittambuwa also on the same day.
Those responsible for national security should be ashamed of their failure to properly investigate the incidents/developments relating to the violent protest campaign, MP Fernando said.
In spite of clear evidence that the JVP spearheaded the abortive bid to seize control of Parliament, in the second week of July 2022, the police were yet to record a single statement regarding that development, MP Fernando said, alleging that nearly two years after the ouster of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa the government was yet to investigate the unprecedented and systematic destruction caused by politically-inspired protesters.
The ex-Minister emphasized that he was not the SLPPer to complain about the status of the investigation. MP Fernando also pointed out that the government has conveniently ignored Speaker Mahinda Yapa’s declaration of external hand in the protest campaign and interested parties threatened to harm his life after his refusal to cooperate.
Acknowledging that Amarakeerthi Atukorale’s trial was on, MP Fernando said that a comprehensive investigation was needed to ascertain the incidents/developments during the 2021/2022 period.
Protesting Development Officers continued their hunger strike near the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo yesterday (01), for the seventh consecutive day.The protesters, who are members of the Lanka School Development Officers’ Association, are demanding that they be absorbed into the teacher service as they have served as teachers in state-run schools for nearly seven years.
Secretary of the Association, Viraj Manaranga, said the protesters were seeking an urgent meeting with the President. He added that a presidential aide had visited the protest site and offered to arrange for a meeting with the President on 03 Feb., but the union insisted on an earlier date. Manaranga warned that failure to grant a meeting could trigger a massive protest in Colombo today (02).
Four officers participating in the hunger strike have been hospitalised due to deteriorating health, while two more joined the fast on Saturday (31).
In a bid to raise awareness of their grievances, on 30 January a delegation of the All Island Development Officers’ Association visited Most Venerable
Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera, Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, and subsequently with the Chapter’s Registrar, Ven. Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera. The prelates said promises that had been made to them should be fulfilled.
The protest began on 26 January as a satyagraha, after authorities failed to respond to repeated requests to integrate the officers into the teaching service. The escalation into a fast-unto-death underscores the protesters’ frustration over the prolonged delay
by Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
The long-vacant post of Auditor General would be filled on 03 Feb., after months of controversy and delays, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake said on Friday (31) in Kandy.
The Constitutional Council met at the Parliamentary complex on Friday to discuss the appointment but failed to reach a decision on a suitable candidate. The President had previously proposed four names on four separate occasions, all of which were rejected. The Council is now set to consider the fifth nominee.
The post has remained vacant since April 2025, following the retirement of Chulanta Wickramaratne, who served as the 41st Auditor General. More than 10 months have passed without a permanent appointment.
Sources said a female officer in the Auditor General’s Department has been nominated again, though her previous recommendation was rejected due to some allegations against her.
Meanwhile, senior audit officer Dharmapala Gammanpila, with 31 years of service and the department’s most senior official, has received backing from the Mahanayake Theras of the three Nikayas, the Maha Sangha, and several civil society groups for appointment as the 42nd Auditor General.
Sources noted that the three civil society representatives on the Constitutional Council will play a crucial role in the final decision.
by Chaminda Silva and SK Samaranayake
Two 18-year-old youth were arrested by the Southern Division of the Western Province Crime Division on 31 January for allegedly aiding and abetting two murders carried out in Dehiwala and Kohuwala. ICE (crystal meth) was found in their possession at the time of arrest.
The suspects are residents of Mount Lavinia and Boralesgamuwa, according to the police. They are accused of having helped carry out a murder at a hotel in the Dehiwala Police Division on 9 January, 2026, and an attack on a person travelling in a three-wheeler at Bodhiyawatta, Kohuwala, on 12 December, 2025.
Police said the charges included sending photographs of the victims to a criminal living overseas.
Investigations revealed that the youth had acted under the direction of a criminal known as Sando.
Under the guidance of Janaka Kumara, Director of the Southern Division of the Western Province Crime Division, investigations are being led by Police Inspector Hemanta Kumara, assisted by Sub-Inspectors Prasanna Gunathilaka and Prasanna (40248), and Constables Chaminda (72987), Anil (79598), Kumar (88762), and Senanayake (19363), who are continuing the probe.
by Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva
China executes four more Myanmar mafia members
No decision yet on ICC meeting to discuss Pakistan boycott
Shoulder injury casts doubt over Eshan Malinga’s T20 World Cup
Showers expected in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Western, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Central provinces
Development Officers threaten to intensify their protest
Auditor General to be appointed tomorrow
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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