News

Athurugiriya killings prompt fresh call for resumption of judicial executions

Published

2 years ago

2024/07/19

NPC asks for probe on exposure of key suspect

Tirantha Walaliyadda, PC, has urged the government to implement the death penalty without further delay in line with a fresh overall strategy to tackle organised crime.

Appearing on Aluth Parlimenthuwa on Wednesday (17) night, Walaliyadda, who had appeared for some of the notorious members of the netherworld said that the organised crime couldn’t be dealt with successfully unless the government resumed judicial executions.

Appearing on a programme that discussed post-war deterioration of law and order situation, Walaliyadda said that those engaged in narcotics trade and users should be harshly dealt with.

The lawyer questioned the rehabilitation of drug addicts at the taxpayers’ expense as such measures wouldn’t help to address the issues at hand.

Anchored by lawyer Sanka Amarjith, the participants in the programme were DIG Nihal Thalduwa (police spokesman and crime range), DIG Deepthi Hettiarachchi (Deputy Commandant STF), senior lecturer Udaya Kumara Amarasinghe and journalist Shamindra Ferdinando of The Island.

The focus was on the high profile killing of Surendra Wasantha Perera alias Club Wasantha at a tattoo and piercing studio near the Clock Tower in Athurugiriya on the morning of July 8. Another person identified as Nayana Wasula Wijesuriya was also killed. Among the wounded were songstress K. Sujeewa and Wasantha’s wife Menik Wijewardena.

Responding to a query raised by Amarjith, DIG Thalduwa said that the police weren’t in a position to either confirm or deny claims that the two gunmen who carried out the attack had managed to flee the country. Amarjith pointed out that the main gunman of the Beliatta killings in January this year had fled the country. The police spokesman said that having identified those who had been involved in the Beliatta shooting, the police were about to swoop down on the main gunman, when telecast of CCTV footage of the Beliatta shooting alerted the wanted man.

Amarjith pointed out that among the five dead at Beliatta was Saman Perera, the leader of Ape Jana Bala party represented in parliament by Ven. Athureliye Rathana thera.

The interviewer asked the police spokesman to explain the releasing of video footage of a key suspect in Athurugiriya shooting Dulan Sanjula, owner of a tattoo and piercing shop being questioned as it jeopardised the entire investigation. Sanjula was among seven persons arrested and remanded till July 22 pending investigations.

DIG Thalduwa said that IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon received a directive from the National Police Commission (NPC) to inquire into the incident. The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the department was in the process of investigating the incident on the instructions of the IGP, Thalduwa, who is also an Attorney-at-Law said. The official admitted that disciplinary action would be taken in this regard.

Walaliyadda emphasised that the releasing of that video footage had caused immense harm to the ongoing investigation. In terms of the British law, such would be considered contempt of court and will be appropriately dealt with.

Walaliyadda declined to name some of his notorious clients. When Amarjith pointed out that some lawyers went beyond their mandate to appease the underworld, the President’s Counsel said that once he refused to take a drug dealer in his car to the Hambantota court. Walaliyadda said that he also declined to allow the drug dealer to travel with one of his juniors and that brought an end to his contact with the party concerned.

In spite of declining to name five of his clients earlier, Walaliyadda later said that he never regretted representing Kanjipani Imran, Soththi Upali, Dhammika Amarasinghe, Chintaka Amarasinghe and M. Naufer. Walaliyadda compared the responsibilities of lawyers appearing for alleged criminals and police responsible for deaths of the underworld members. The lawyer asserted that both they and the police never regretted what they did ‘in the line of duty.’

Kanjipani Imran living overseas is widely believed to be involved in planning the Athurugiriya hit. Walaliyadda said that of the five clients he mentioned, three died in the hands of the underworld, Naufer, who had been found guilty of ordering the assassination of Colombo High Court judge Sarath Ambepitiya on Nov. 19, 2004, died in prison while Kanjipani remains at large.

Walaliyadda urged that the executive exercise his authority to sign death warrants. Judicial executions are a must to ensure the restoration of the supremacy of law. The lawyer stressed that the lives of children couldn’t be protected unless those in political authority took harsh measures to overcome the daunting challenges posed by organised crime. Unfortunately, the rights of the criminals received far more attention than the vulnerable communities, Walaliyadda said.

During the discussion, the need to examine whether the releasing of the video footage of Dulan Sanjula had been deliberate on the part of law enforcement authorities was stressed as they knew their actions could jeopardise the judicial process. The responsibility on the part of investigators and higher authorities to examine extremely serious allegations made by ex-SLAF officer and private investigator Keerthi Ratnayake, in two interview with Chamuditha Samarawickrema, on social media pertaining to the Aturugiriya killings was pointed out.

Against the backdrop of efforts to downplay the worsening of law and order situation, it was pointed out that there were many high profile killings such as The Sunday leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunga’s assassination, killing of ruggerite Wasim Thajudin as well as Dinesh Shafter’s murder remained unsolved.

The failure on the part of law enforcement authorities to address security issues was examined taking into consideration the nexus between organised crime and major political parties while DIG Thalduwa explained the difficulties experienced by them and the urgent need to strengthen relevant laws. Thalduwa also emphasised the need to modernise and strengthen laws meant to tackle large scale financial crimes as he lucidly explained the challenge in working with foreign law enforcement counterparts in current geopolitical developments. Lawyer Thalduwa said that even the current financial difficulties, too, mattered as issues at hand were addressed.

When a panelist pointed out that successive governments assured the international community that judicial executions wouldn’t be resumed, Walaliyadda insisted that in spite of such promises the death penalty remained in our statutes and the President exercised the right to hang those found guilty by the Supreme Court (SF)

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News

Current El Niño Status in Sri Lanka

Published

1 hour ago

2026/07/16

Priyan

At present, El Niño conditions have developed and are classified as being at a weak level. Forecasts indicate a 63% probability of a very strong El Niño event developing during the period from November 2026 to January 2027. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is approximately a one-third probability that El Niño will remain below a very strong intensity.

Typical Climatic Conditions Associated with El Niño
Based on analyses of past El Niño events that occurred between 1950 and 2025:
• Rainfall during July and August may be below normal, particularly in the dry zone areas.
• From October onward, rainfall is generally expected to be above normal.
• If a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) develops, enhanced rainfall conditions may continue until December.

Sectors Requiring Attention
• Appropriate measures should be taken for water resource management during July and August.
• Increased rainfall expected from October onward may lead to floods and landslides, requiring preparedness and close monitoring. The forecasts are important for sectors such as, Agriculture /Water management /Livestock /Health /Energy /Other climate-sensitive sectors
• Attention should be paid to official information issued by the Department of Meteorology.

Actions by the Department of Meteorology
The Department of Meteorology continuously monitors the evolving situation and issues:
• Weekly and monthly seasonal forecasts and Monthly analyses of rainfall data to monitor meteorological drought conditions.
As weather conditions are influenced not only by El Niño but also by other climatic factors, updated forecasts and advisories are regularly shared with relevant stakeholder organizations (Irrigation/ Water Management Committee /Department of Agriculture/National Building Research Institute/Disaster Management Centre (DMC)/Ministry of Health /Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation…etc). The Department also provides technical support to the committee established through a Cabinet decision to address climate-related impacts. The Department’s monthly rainfall outlook for July to September 2026 is attached

Monthly Rainfall Forecasts for July, August and September 2026
Month Rainfall forecast
July 2026

During July 2026, there is a higher probability of having near normal rainfall across most parts of the Western and Southern Provinces. The remainder of the country is expected to experience below normal rainfall.

August 2026

There is a higher probability of having below normal rainfall across most parts of the country during month of August 2026.

September 2026

There is a possibility of above-normal rainfall across most parts of the Western and Southern Provinces, while near-normal rainfall is expected in the Sabaragamuwa Province. Below-normal rainfall is likely in the remaining areas during September 2026.

Note: These long-range forecasts may change due to strong day-to-day atmospheric variability associated with the movement of weather systems such as atmospheric disturbances, low-pressure areas, and depressions, as well as intra-seasonal oscillations such as the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO). Therefore, in addition to the weekly and monthly forecasts, it is important to pay attention to the Department’s official announcements, weather advisories and warnings, as well as the daily weather forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology.

News

Govt. move to extend retirement ages of top judges: Opp. complains to UN

Published

2 hours ago

2026/07/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

Prof. Peiris addresses the media outside the UN compound in Colombo on Thursday on the controversial government move to extend the retirement ages of Superior Court judges, while former MPs Thalatha Atukorale, Dr Suren Raghavan and Premanath C. Dolawatta look on.

Former External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (15) briefed the UN Resident Coordinator in Colombo, Marc-André Franche, on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s move to extend the retirement ages of the superior court judges and the delay in filling the vacancies in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

Prof. Peiris, the convenor of the People’s Joint Opposition, led the delegation that included UNP General Secretary and former Minister Thalatha Atukorale, former UPFA National List parliamentarian Suren Raghavan and ex- SLPP MP Premnath C. Dolawatta.

Having met the top official here, Prof. Peiris briefed the media on their decision to bring the developing situation to the notice of the UN.

Referring to the opposition of the legal fraternity to the NPP government’s plan, Prof. Peiris emphasised that the civil society, too, had opposed the politically motivated initiative.

Prof. Peiris said that instead of addressing the burning issues affecting the public, the government was creating new problems.

News

Dengue surge pushes hospitals to the brink as cases near 70,000

Published

2 hours ago

2026/07/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

A week-long crackdown to begin in 11 districts

Hospitals are coming under mounting pressure as the country’s dengue epidemic gathers pace, with nearly 70,000 infections and 48 deaths reported so far this year, prompting health authorities to launch an intensive week-long mosquito control campaign in 11 districts.

The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said 69,951 dengue cases had been reported by July 13, with 14,572 new infections recorded during the first 13 days of July alone. June saw the highest monthly caseload of the year, underlining the rapid spread of the mosquito-borne disease during the southwest monsoon.

Acting Director of the NDCU, Dr. Kapila Kannangara, warned that the hospital system was facing severe congestion due to the unprecedented influx of dengue patients.

“We are seeing an alarming increase in admissions. Hospitals are under tremendous pressure, and public cooperation is essential to bring the outbreak under control,” he said, announcing that a special one-week dengue control programme would be implemented across 11 high-risk districts.

Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions as high-risk dengue zones. Public Health Inspectors will conduct inspections, eliminate mosquito breeding sites and initiate legal action against those maintaining mosquito-infested premises.

The Western Province continues to account for the largest share of infections, with Gampaha and Colombo among the worst-affected districts. Several hospitals are already operating beyond capacity as the number of admissions continues to climb.

Health officials attributed the surge to intermittent rains, poor waste disposal, stagnant water collections and inadequate community participation in vector control programmes.

The Ministry of Health has appealed to local authorities, schools, workplaces, religious institutions and households to inspect their premises regularly, clear blocked drains and roof gutters, cover water storage containers and remove discarded tyres, cans, bottles and other containers capable of collecting rainwater.

Medical experts urged the public not to ignore symptoms such as persistent fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, vomiting, abdominal pain and bleeding manifestations, stressing that early medical treatment is critical in preventing severe dengue and deaths.

Officials emphasised that eliminating mosquito breeding sites remains the single most effective way of controlling dengue, warning that unless communities actively participate, the outbreak could worsen during the ongoing rainy season.

With daily case numbers continuing to rise and hospitals struggling to cope, health authorities said the coming weeks would be crucial in determining whether the country can curb one of its worst dengue outbreaks in recent years.

By Ifham Nizam