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Attack on house: Chamuditha questions delay in making arrests
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Hiru anchor Chamuditha Samarawickrema says Media Minister Dallas Alahapperuma should take up with Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (retd.) Sarath Weerasekera and IGP C. D. Wickremeratne the inordinate delay in making a breakthrough in investigations into the attack on his residence in the early hours of 14 Feb.
Samarawickrema said that after an unidentified group had thrown rocks and faeces at his residence at the Cambridge Court, Piliyandala, Minister Alahapperuma, in his capacity as the Cabinet Spokesman, had assured justice, thrice, at the weekly post-Cabinet media briefings.
“But, unfortunately, police haven’t so far apprehended the suspects or traced the vehicle used for the attack,” Samarawickrema said, urging police headquarters to reveal the progress in its investigation.
Hiru offered a Rs 500,000 reward for specific information leading to the arrest of those involved in the attack.
Referring to the daily communiques, issued by police headquarters, pertaining to incidents, detections and investigations, Samarawickrema asked why an update on the attack on his residence couldn’t be provided.
Responding to another query, Samarawickrema, one-time Media Director of former President Maithripala Sirisena said that the police provided him security after Kuvera de Zoysa, PC moved the Kesbewa Magistrate Court about a week after the incident.
Samarawickrema said that he wouldn’t challenge the police assessment of the threat to him and his family. “They have deployed one officer at my residence and another assigned to accompany me. However, they cannot drag the investigation indefinitely,” Samarawickrema said, the failure on the part of the police to apprehend the suspects despite the availability of CCTV footage of the suspects and the car.
The case comes before the Kesbewa Magistrate court on March 25.
Samarawickrema said he may have incurred the wrath because of his controversial interviews on Youtube ‘Truth with Chamuditha.’
The Media Minister might condemn the incident again when he addressed the post-Cabinet media briefing this week. There was no point in condemning the incident unless he intended to take tangible measures to have the conspirators exposed, Samarawickrema said.
Latest News
Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued early warnings to the Districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 1600hrs on 13th June 2026 till 1600hrs on 14th June 2026.
Accordingly,
LEVEL I (YELLOW) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surounding areas of Palindanuwara and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya and Ayagama, Pelmadulla,
Godakawela, Elapatha, Kalawana, Ratnapura and Nivithigala in the Ratnapura district.
News
INS Sharda departs Colombo concluding replenishment visit
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Sharda’ departed the island today (13 Jun 26), concluding her replenishment purposes.
On departure the vessel was accorded a traditional naval farewell by the Sri Lanka Navy at the Port of Colombo.
The visit also paved the way for vibrant personnel interactions, fostering camaraderie and goodwill. The crew of INS Sharda and personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy participated in a
friendly volleyball match and a joint yoga session. A
dditionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel had the opportunity to visit the Indian naval vessel, while the visiting crew took time to explore several culturally significant landmarks across the island.
Latest News
Special Dengue Prevention Week declared in Colombo District from June 15 to 21
A decision has been taken to declare a Special Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 of June by the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee to curb the spread of the disease in the Colombo District.
This decision was taken at the meeting of the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee held on Friday (12) at the Colombo District Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Compared to last year, the number of dengue cases reported this year has increased significantly. According to the National Dengue Control Unit, approximately 39,100 dengue cases have been reported island wide to date, of which 25.8% have been recorded in the Colombo District. Following this situation, the Colombo District has been identified as a high-risk district.
Health authorities informed that the increasing spread of the disease has been influenced not only by the nature of circulating virus but also to the lack of sufficient immunity among the population. They further noted that the recent period of heavy rainfall has aggravated the spread of Dengue.
It was also identified that the current outbreak is being reported more frequently from public places such as government institutions, private establishments, schools, and religious venues rather than from residential premises. Observations have identified improperly managed solid waste and drainage systems in offices and other public locations as major breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Accordingly, during the Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 June, a series of measures will be implemented, including, organising community clean-up campaigns in government and private institutions, schools, residential areas, and other public spaces; Conducting inspections of high-risk premises by Divisional Secretariats and taking legal action, where necessary, followed by awareness programmes; Distributing informational leaflets, displaying banners, and carrying out public awareness campaigns through the media. Health authorities also requested school administrations not to involve students below Grade 10 in school cleaning programmes and to immediately notify the relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office if a student is diagnosed with dengue.
The programme is expected to receive the active support and participation of the district’s political leadership, religious leaders of all faiths, public officials, local government institutions, the tri-forces, the police, and the general public.
The event was attended by the Chairperson of the District Coordination Committee, Members of Parliament, representatives of local government authorities, government secretaries, police officers, and officials representing the education and health sectors, among others.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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