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Chamuditha complains his life is in danger, but won’t give up ‘Salakuna’

Published

5 years ago

2021/06/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

‘No point in seeking police protection, have written a letter to be released if I’m harmed’

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Popular Hiru TV anchor Chamuditha Samarawickrema says there are threats to his life, but he will continue to host the weekly live ‘Salakuna’ programme.

“I am determined to go ahead with it whatever the obstacles are,” Samarawickrema told The Island yesterday (6) identifying some specific threats.

Asked whether he would lodge a complaint with the police, Samarawickrema said obviously there was no point in doing so. Acknowledging there were honest officers and men,

Samarawickrema said that those at the helm of law enforcement ruined the once proud service.

The way law enforcement authorities had handled the Shangri-La case following the exposure of influential makeup artist Chandimal Jayasinghe’s birthday party therein on the night of May 30 in violation of Covid-19 health guidelines demonstrated their partiality, the Hiru journalist said.

Instead of going to police, he had decided to pen a detailed letter in case those angered and affected by the Hiru exposure on May 31 night and the subsequent developments resorted to violence. Answering another question, Samarawickrema said that ‘Salakuna’ would conduct a live interview with Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella tonight (7). “If I’m harmed, the letter will be in the public domain. The public will know the identities of those responsible,” Samarawickrema said, adding that as part of precautions he had given Harendra Jayalal’s YouTube channel an interview, which was released online on Saturday night.

Asked to name those threatening him, Samarwickrema said that there were four specific threats from a notorious businessman, two persons from the Polonnaruwa District and another whose henchmen had threatened to sever an arm and a leg of his. All of them had been mentioned in the letter, he said.

The popular TV anchor emphasised that he didn’t have any issue with Chandimal Jayasinghe, model Piyumi Hansamali or Shangri-la hotel. The contentious issues raised during two-hour ‘Salakuna ’programme on the night of 31 May, with Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana, who is also the senior officer in charge of the Police Legal Division and Public Health Inspector Union President Upul Rohana participated as participants, had caused quite a stir, Samarawickrama said.

The ‘Hiru’ team comprised Samarawickrema, Chapa Bandara and Kalindu Widanage.

Samarawickrema said that the media couldn’t be faulted for reporting the Shangri-La party.

Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (retd) Sarath Weerasekera’s intervention in the Shangri-La affair, too, should be probed, Samarawickrema said, pointing out that in a statement issued on the night of 04 June, the Public Security Ministry had acknowledged he received calls from both Hansamali through her lawyer Manju Sri and Chandimal claiming they were being moved to a quarantine centre in Passara without basic essential items such as clothes.

Samarawickrema said that he worked as a freelancer in addition to running two social media channels-Truth with Chamuditha and cnb (Chamuditha News Brief).

Samarawickrema emphasised that at a time the entire country was struggling to tackle the pandemic, the government couldn’t under any circumstances allow ministers, regardless of their portfolios and seniority, pursue personal agendas.

Samarawickrema recalled how transport minister SLPP heavyweight Gamini Lokuge had caused a serious setback to the government’s battle against Covid-19 by doing away with travel restrictions imposed in Piliyandala area recently. The government had done nothing about it, Samarawickrema alleged, saying that the SLPP’s much touted ‘One Country, One Law’ slogan had apparently become a joke.

When Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando meddled with the vaccination programme recently, he had been arrested by the police, produced in court and remanded till 11 June but those who allowed a party to be held at Shangri-La had gone scot-free, Samarawickrama said, adding that some people taken into custody in Jaffna for partying had been remanded.

Samarawickrema also acknowledged that Opposition political parties, too, had refrained from commenting on the issue at hand. However, former Minister Ravi Karunanayake, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, MP, Roshan Ranasinghe, MP and Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage over the phone inquired about the incident. Yes, perhaps, Opposition lawmakers, too, may be wary of attracting the wrath of those who launched what Samarawickrema called a social media tirade against him and ‘Hiru.’

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Death toll in violent clashes at Negombo Prison rise to 25

Published

2 hours ago

2026/07/6

Priyan

It has been reported quoting police sources that the death toll from the renewed unrest at the Negombo Prison which this morning, has risen from nineteen to twenty five (25).

A clash initially broke out between two groups of inmates (a group of remand prisoners and a group of convicted inmates serving sentences) at the Negombo Prison at around 1.00 p.m. on Sunday (05).

Two inmates died in yesterday’s clash, while around 40 others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at hospital.

News

The Government is committed to equipping children with new technology and knowledge – PM

Published

2 hours ago

2026/07/6

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the children of Sri Lanka are well capable of viewing the world with creativity and critical ways of thinking, and that the Government is committed to equipping them with the required knowledge and modern technologies necessary to realize their full potential.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the opening of the ’Arumasiya’ Exhibition and the occasion of laying the foundation stone for a new three-storey building at Balangoda Vidyaloka Central College, on the 4th of July.

During the visit, the Prime Minister officially declared open the exhibition showcasing the students’ innovations and creative talents and commended them for their remarkable achievements. The Prime Minister also participated in the ceremony of laying the foundation stone for the construction of the College’s new three-storey building.

Addressing the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

“It is a pleasure to participate in this special event at Balangoda Vidyaloka Central College, the school where Sri Lanka’s first female Prime Minister received her education

I had the opportunity to visit the exhibition featuring the outstanding creations and innovations of the students. What I witnessed was a group of talented young people who have moved beyond textbook learning and are capable of viewing the world with creativity and critical thinking.

We are introducing a new education reform process that moves away from a rote-learning, examination-oriented system towards a practical and skills-based one. The Government is now systematically completing all the necessary preparations to implement the new education reforms scheduled to commence in 2027.

Our objective is to ensure that every child leaving school has access to vocational and technical education that matches their individual talents and meets the demands of the modern labour market. We are committed to transforming vocational education into a field that enjoys the same dignity and recognition as university education.

Finally, I commend the Principal and the academic staff of Balangoda Vidyaloka Central College for organizing this exhibition, and to the students and parents whose dedication made this event a success.”

The event was attended by Members of Parliament for Ratnapura District Wasantha Pushpa Kumara and Sunil Rajapaksha, the Mayor of Balangoda and members of the Municipal Council, the Zonal Director of Education, the Principal and academic staff of Balangoda Vidyaloka Central College, parents, and students.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

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Appointment of SPO to probe AG on hold until establishment of Ind. Public Prosecutor’s Office

Published

9 hours ago

2026/07/6

Sahan Weerasooriya

Ajith / Harshana

The appointment of a Special Parliamentary Ombudsman (SPO) to inquire into the complaints against the Attorney General, as promised in the NPP manifesto, is on hold, pending the establishment of an Independent Office of the Public Prosecutor and provincial Sub Officers.

Authoritative sources told The Island that the Justice and National Integration Ministry was awaiting the recommendations, regarding the new legislation for the establishment of such an Office, from a Committee of Technical Experts, chaired by Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, PC.

Responding to a query raised in Parliament by SJB lawmaker Ajith P. Perera about the delay in appointment of SPO, Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the government couldn’t take a decision until the Kodagoda Committee made recommendations.

Nanayakkara said that the positioning of the SPO couldn’t be decided before they differentiate the powers of the Attorney General and the an Independent Office of the Public Prosecutor and provincial Sub Officers.

According to the NPP manifesto, provincial Sub Officers were to be established under a senior Additional Solicitor General.

Opposition sources pointed out that the relevant Cabinet decision was taken on 7 May 2025. According to the Cabinet Office, the government decided to establish an Independent Office of the Public Prosecutor and provincial Sub Officers in line with a proposal made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in her final report on Sri Lanka, submitted in September, 2024.

By Shamindra Ferdinando