News
Civil society appreciate release of 10 persons held under PTA, condemns continuing interference
Sri Lankan Collective for Consensus (SLCC) says following talks with the government over the detention of 10 persons in terms of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), they have been granted bail on the instructions of the Attorney General. The SLCC is engaged in discussions with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government to explore ways and means to reach consensus on post-war national reconciliation.
The following is the text of statement issued by the SLCC: In recent days, the government has sent mixed signals with regard to improving the human rights situation in the country. On December 10, on which day International Human Rights Day is celebrated, a civil society organisation in Kandy, the Human Rights Organisation, headed by Fr. Nandana Manatunga, was issued a court order obtained by the police to block it from organising a human rights event on the theme “Ensure the Prisoners their Dignity and Rights to Human Conditions.” A similar event in Puttalam organised by an inter-religious group was subjected to surveillance by persons believed to be from military intelligence in civvies.
On the other hand, on November 27, the Ministerial Subcommittee to amend the PTA chaired by Foreign Minister Prof G.L. Peiris outlined proposed amendments to the PTA in a discussion with members of the Sri Lankan Collective for Consensus (SLCC). We consider our meetings with the government to be part of a process of necessary engagement between the government and civil society in general where issues could be highlighted and government members would give serious hearing and attention beyond partisan defence and inaction.
When SLCC met with the Ministerial Subcommittee, a case involving 10 persons, arrested under the PTA, was highlighted by us as an example of unfair detention and remand. One of the draconian features of the PTA is the power it gives to the police to arrest people on suspicion and to hold them in prison custody without bail until the conclusion of the trial. This can extend to several years.
We are pleased that on December 8, the 10 persons who were being legally represented in the court by one of our members were granted bail after seven months in remand. This was at the Magistrate’s Court Valaichchenai on the instructions and recommendation of the Attorney General’s office. As we had taken this case as an example during our discussion, the release of the detainees from remand may be a coincidence or consequence of SLCC’s discussion. In either event we are happy that this has been done.
The larger picture with regard to the PTA is to hear the voices of all those in remand who have been granted an order by the Magistrate’s court and are awaiting the decision of the AG for release or indictment. If all those could be considered for bail until a decision is made either way, as we proposed at our meeting, it will be of great value for a great number of those in remand under the PTA. Consequently we call for the government to become more institutionalised and less ad hoc in its approach to human rights. This is not only in regard to the content and implementation of the PTA but also the ordinary law.”
The Sri Lanka Railways Department has issued a special circular prohibiting officials and employees from using social media during duty hours and sharing sensitive information related to railway operations.
The move follows observations that certain railway officials had been sharing sensitive operational information on social media while on duty.
According to the circular, railway employees are prohibited from posting information relating to railway operations, internal decisions or official documents on social media from train control rooms, engine control rooms, workshops or any other railway premises.
The circular further stipulates that only the General Manager of Railways, the Railway Spokesperson and the Information Officer are authorised to provide official railway information to external parties or the media.
by Norman Palihawadane
An alleged associate of the drug network operated by underworld figure Badowita Asanka has been arrested by officers of the Walana Anti-Corruption Unit.
The suspect, identified as Lakmal, was arrested during a raid carried out following information received by Chief Inspector Indika Weerasinghe, the Officer-in-Charge of the unit.
The operation was conducted under the direct supervision of ASP Rohan Olugala, Director of the Walana Anti-Corruption Unit.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the suspect allegedly worked as a distributor within Badowita Asanka’s drug network and handed over the daily proceeds from the operation to Asanka, police said.
More than 15 grammes of suspected crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) were allegedly recovered from the suspect’s possession at the time of his arrest.The suspect is currently being detained for questioning at the Mount Lavinia Police Headquarters as further investigations continue.
Sri Lanka has recorded 94,666 dengue cases and 72 deaths so far this year, according to the latest dengue surveillance data available as of midnight on August 26.Data released by the National Dengue Control Unit shows that 9,330 cases were reported in August, while July recorded the highest monthly caseload so far this year, with 29,962 cases.
June recorded 21,533 cases, followed by 8,590 in May, 5,651 in April, 6,013 in March, 5,721 in February and 7,866 in January.
The Western Province continues to account for more than half of the country’s dengue burden, with 50,098 cases, representing 52.92% of the national total.
The Southern Province recorded 13,811 cases (14.59%), followed by the Central Province with 8,602 (9.09%) and Sabaragamuwa Province with 7,770 (8.21%).
The North Western Province has reported 4,727 cases, while the Eastern, Uva, North Central and Northern provinces have recorded 3,938, 2,665, 1,687 and 1,368 cases respectively.
At district level, Gampaha remains the worst-affected, with 20,170 cases, accounting for 21.31% of the national total.
Colombo follows with 18,775 cases (19.83%), while Kandy has recorded 6,892 cases (7.28%), Matara 6,112 (6.46%), Kalutara 6,111 (6.46%), Galle 5,185 (5.48%) and Ratnapura 5,029 (5.31%).
Kegalle has reported 2,741 cases, followed by Kurunegala with 2,674, Hambantota with 2,514, Puttalam with 2,053, Batticaloa with 1,515 and Badulla with 1,483.
The surveillance report has also identified 76 high-risk Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas during Week 33 of 2026. The report further provides data on the average number of dengue patients recorded at midnight, indicating the continued pressure on health facilities amid the ongoing outbreak.
Jaffna Teaching Hospital secures lifeline water supply via ADB-funded Thalaiyadi sea water desalination plant
The toxic legacy of two lakes
Sri Lanka opens up: A new season of direct connectivity
Social media taboo for railway employees during duty
Badowita Asanka associate arrested in anti-drug raid
Dengue far from over: 9330 new cases so far this month
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News7 days agoCountry’s first woman Surveyor General appointed
-
Business6 days agoSriLankan Airlines makes ShakthiSAT Mission possible for talented Sri Lankan student
-
Latest News7 days agoImran Khan moved to private hospital amid deteriorating health
-
Latest News7 days agoGovernment has declared 21, 22 and 23 August 2026 as national days of mourning
-
Features5 days agoMy secondary schooling after Royal Primary
-
Features5 days agoFrom the First to the 22nd: A short history of Amendment Politics and Reform Frustrations
-
News7 days ago22A: Opp. demands all available SC judges hear petitions
-
Latest News6 days agoTharanga edges out Chopra in 88m javelin battle