News
Attack on Chamuditha’s home: Court to be moved seeking protection; Hiru offers Rs 500,000 for info

Media furore over ASP’s FB comment
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Kuvera de Zoysa, PC, would move court today (18) seeking police protection for Hiru anchor Chamuditha Samarawickrema.
Hiru made the announcement as Samarawickrema alleged that he hadn’t been provided protection in spite of the latest incident. Samarawickrema said that he was concerned for his personal safety and that of his family.
Public Security Minister Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera says that he inquired from his son ASP Sachitra Adheesha as regards a controversial FB comment posted by him soon after the alleged attack directed at Hiru anchor Chamuditha Samarawickrema’s house at Gangarama road, Wewala, Piliyandala.
In a comment posted in Sinhala, ASP Weerasekera condemned those who insulted rocks and faeces by throwing them at Samawickrema’s house.
Minister Weerasekera described his son’s action as something done on the spur-of-the moment. The Island raised the issue with lawmaker Weerasekera as the ASP’s reaction to the incident attracted social media attention.
ASP Weerasekera is attached to the Police Hospital, Narahenpita as a medical officer.
Responding to another query, Minister Weerasekera said that he phoned Samarawickrema to inquire about the incident. Weerasekera said that less than two hours before the incident, the police had visited the journalist’s residence in line with a directive given earlier following an alleged death threat received by him last year.
The attack took place at about 2.10 am on Valentine’s Day. According to Minister Weerasekera, the police signed a book maintained therein at 12.45 am.
Minister Weerasekera assured that the police were confident in bringing the investigation to a successful conclusion.
Samarawickrema said that the police couldn’t turn a blind eye to that FB post. Several persons had been questioned for giving media statements as well as social media comments, Samarawickrema said. Therefore, a statement should be recorded from the ASP concerned, too, Samarawickrema said.
The outspoken media personality said that he provided to the police video footage of 22 CCTV cameras installed at his home. The former Media Director to President Maithripala Sirisena was concerned about the status of the investigation. Samarawickrema said so responding to The Island queries. “If the police failed to apprehend the culprits, this case, too, would end up as just another unsolved incident,” an irate Samarawickrema said, urging law enforcement authorities to take up the challenge.
In addition to serving in the Hiru TV, Samarawickrema runs two social media platforms.
Referring to the recovery of a hand grenade at All Saints Church, Borella on January 11, Samarawickrema said that an unprecedented intervention made by Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith completely changed the direction of the inquiry. Thanks to the Cardinal’s intervention, some innocent persons would have been still in custody.
Samarawickrema said that he explained to the police the pivotal importance in checking the entire available video footage without restricting it to the period after the intruders moved in.
Samarawickrema pointed out that the police apprehended the person who had brought the grenade to the Borella church after the Cardinal launched a scathing attack on the police over the handling of the investigation.
“As some interested parties have alleged that the attack had been staged by me and my wife, we asked the police to fingerprint us”, he said.
Samarawickrema said that the police could easily establish whether the same Wagon R type car had been used by the intruders to visit the housing scheme by checking the video footage. In addition to the three persons caught on camera throwing rocks and faeces at the journalist’s house, there had been two others. According to Samarawickrema and the police, one of them had held the security guard at gun-point at the entrance to the housing scheme and the driver of the vehicle stayed in it.
Samarawickrema pointed out that two of the attackers wore black helmets and the other a red one. The journalist insisted that they heard gunshots, though the house was not hit.
Responding to further questions, Samarawickrema said that he could not name any party as there were scores of persons angered by his reportage of events for Hiru as well as social media platform ‘Truth with Chamuditha.’ It wouldn’t be fair to them, Samarawickrema said, adding that he expected the police to make an early breakthrough.
Samarawickrema said that the status of the police investigation into an earlier death threat remained unclear. “Although, the police recorded my statement, I really do not know the outcome of the investigation,” Samarawickrema said.
He appreciated the announcement made by the Hiru management regarding them offering a reward of Rs 500,000 to anyone providing information leading to the arrest of those responsible. Samarawickrema said that information could be passed on to Hiru investigation team on 077-03 22821. A spokesperson for the team said that they would conduct inquiries on their own and share information with the police.
Appearing on Hiru, Samarwickrema told interviewer Panuka Rajapaksa that the attackers targeted their master bedroom though they slept elsewhere on that day. Acknowledging his wife and 14-year-old daughter had been thoroughly shaken up by the attack, Samarawickrema emphasised he wouldn’t leave the country for good though they could quickly leave for the US or Canada.
News
Turkish Naval Ship TCG BÜYÜKADA departs island concluding her visit

The Turkish Naval Ship TCG BÜYÜKADA which arrived in Sri Lanka on a formal visit, departed the island on 18 Jun 25.
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing
ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions. Upon leaving, the Turkish Naval Ship engaged in a successful Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with SLNS Gajabahu in Colombo seas. The PASSEX involved training exercises in communication and tactical maneuvering, concluding with the traditional cheer ship salute.
Meanwhile, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Sri Lanka, Semih Lütfü Turgut, accompanied by the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship, Lieutenant Commander Anil
BİLGİN met with the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda at the Navy Headquarters on 13 Jun 25. The cordial discussion mainly focused on several matters of
bilateral importance and it importance of the occasion.
During her stay in Colombo, crew members of TCG BÜYÜKADA took part in several programmes including sporting events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the island.
Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit the Turkish Naval Ship gaining insights into the ship’s operational capabilities.
Meanwhile, the enhanced cooperation and interoperability fostered through this nature of port calls made by foreign naval ships will provide a strong foundation for the Sri Lanka Navy to
collectively and effectively respond to emerging trends and challenges in the maritime fraternity.
News
Students of Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School visit President’s House

A group of students from Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School visited the Presidential Secretariat and the President’s House on Wednesday (18).
The visit was facilitated under the ‘Vision’ programme series, a collaborative initiative for schoolchildren organised by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
As part of the visit, the students toured the Old Parliament building located within the Presidential Secretariat and received a briefing on the history of parliamentary democracy in Sri Lanka.
The students and teaching staff were also briefed on the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, spearheaded by President Anura Kumara Disanayake, as well as on the functions of the executive branch and the importance of the rule of law.
To symbolically emphasise the importance of environmental preservation, K.M.N. Kumarasinghe, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, presented the school with a valuable plant sapling.
Among those in attendance were Colonel Dhananjaya Senarath, Deputy Director of the Tri-Forces Security Operations Coordinating Unit; N.A.L. Wijerathna, Principal of Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School; and members of the school’s teaching staff.
News
President commends the service of outgoing Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana

President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Wednesday (18), lauded Mahinda Siriwardana, the outgoing Secretary to the Treasury, for his exemplary service, stating that it is the responsibility of public officials to strive to prevent adverse outcomes and contribute to positive change.
The President particularly commended Mr Siriwardana’s exceptional dedication and commitment in expertly navigating the nation’s economy through the transformative period following the recent economic crisis, ultimately achieving significant economic victories for the country. President Disanayake expressed his gratitude for Mr Siriwardana’s invaluable contributions.
These remarks were made by President Disanayake at a farewell ceremony organised at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (18) morning to mark Mr Siriwardana’s retirement from his post as Secretary to the Treasury.
The President highlighted the need for a new value system focused on individual merit in an era where material possessions often overshadow genuine human values. He stressed that the country requires a public service driven by humanity and empathy towards others, fulfilling its duties rather than one marred by excessive consumerism and corruption.
President Disanayake further emphasised that the public service should not be an inaccessible mechanism aloof from citizens. He underscored the importance of considering the impact of decisions on people’s lives when making policy choices. The President concluded by stating that young public officials have much to learn from the distinguished career of Mr Mahinda Siriwardana, a senior public servant with extensive experience and profound understanding.
In his address, Mr Siriwardana described his three-year tenure as Secretary to the Treasury as the most significant period of his professional life. He thanked the President for maintaining confidence in him and allowing him to continue in the position despite a change in government leadership, noting that the President’s support was a great source of strength. Mr Siriwardana added that the country might not have overcome its economic crisis without President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s faith, resilience and boundless dedication.
During the ceremony, the President also presented Mr Siriwardana with a token of appreciation for his outstanding service.
The event was attended by Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development; Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning; Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President; Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Presidential Adviser on Digital Economy; Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs; other government officials; and family members of Mr Siriwardana, amongst other invited guests.
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