News
Colombo violence: AG draws IGP’s attention to domestic and int’l ramifications, asks for thorough probe
Drawing the attention of the Inspector General of Police C.D. Wickramaratne to the domestic and international ramifications of the incidents in front of Temple Trees and Galle Face, Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, has urged the Police Chief to conduct a thorough investigation.
The AG has stated: “People, in the exercise of their constitutional rights as guaranteed in terms of Articles 14 (1)(a); (b); and (c) of the Constitution, have been engaged in freedoms of speech; peaceful assembly; and, association, at various places in the country over the past few weeks, In this regard, it is the constitutional duty of all organs of Government, to respect, secure and advance the fundamental rights in terms of Article 4 (d) of the Constitution.”
“The peaceful assemblies of protest were interfered by a large group of people in breach of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and the Penal Laws of the land as could be seen from the incidents that occurred in Colombo on 09. May 2022.
“The unlawful interference was seen to have been carried-out in the form of physical assault of serious nature causing bodily injury to those who engaged in the exercise of their constitutional freedoms.
“Having regard to the serious nature of the matters involved, I advise you to conduct fully-fledged investigations into the incidents of unlawful interference into peoples’ constitutional rights; the circumstances that led to them; and, the consequent commission of penal offences in the process, As the incidents in metropolitan Colombo have triggered sporadic acts of violence of serious nature involving people and their property all over the country, I advise you further to investigate the aftermath of the incidents of 09th May 2022.”
A specialists committee has been appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation adhering to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers dated 29.12.2025 for submitting appropriate recommendations analyzing the provisions of the draft bill formulation in regard to Animal Welfare.
Based on the recommendations of the said Committee, the Legal Draftsman has been instructed at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 18.05.2026 to prepare the final bill on the animal welfare.
Wherefore, the Legal Draftsman has formulated the draft bill and the clearance of the Attorney General has been received in the connection.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to publish the said draft bill in the
Government Gazette Notification and subsequently forward the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Under the legal provisions for elections in this country since 2004, it is mandatory for voters who come to mark their votes to verify their identity through a valid identity card, and it is also mandatory for all such voters to be marked with an appropriate mark using indelible ink. The dual purpose of these two functions is to prevent a voter from voting more than once in a single election.
It has been observed that having to follow two different
methods at the same time to achieve the same objective hinders the efficiency of the duties performed at the polling stations and also incurs additional costs to the government.
Therefore, it has been deemed appropriate to remove the legal provisions regarding the use of indelible ink and marking the voter with the appropriate mark from all election acts.
Accordingly, the development activities of the province, as well as national security, will benefit. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the
President to take necessary steps to remove the legal provisions
• Section 36 of the presidential Election Act, No 15 of 1981
• Section 38 of the Parliamentary Election Act, No 01 of 1981
• Section 36 of the Provincial Council Election Act, No 02 of 1988
• Section 53 A of the Local Government Elections Ordinance (262 Authority)
• Section 21 of the Referendum Act No 7 of 1981
News
Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 24 JUNE 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 24 June 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 p.m.
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expectedat times over the Western slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Animal Welfare Draft Bill to be Gazetted
Legal provisions on marking voters using indelible ink during elections removed
Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
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