News
Complete all 2026 development projects within the next three months – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that all development projects commenced under the approved allocations for 2026 must be completed within the next three months.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in a progress review discussion of the Colombo District Planning Committee held on Tuesay (11) at the Colombo District Secretariat.
During the discussion, extensive attention was given to the progress of projects implemented by the Colombo District Secretariat, including the Decentralized Budget Programme, Rural Road Development Programme, “Praja Shakthi” Poverty Eradication Programme, and the programme aimed at fostering a culture of sports.
The meeting also reviewed the current status of development projects being implemented across the Colombo District by a number of government institutions, including the Western Province Development Programme, Office of the Commissioner of Local Government, Road Development Authority, Provincial Road Development Authority, Urban Development Authority, National Housing Development Authority, Department of Irrigation, Department of Animal Production and Health, and Department of Export Agriculture.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya emphasized that gaining a clear understanding of the current status of development programmes would enable the identification of existing issues, the implementation of necessary changes, and the expeditious completion of projects without obstacles, thereby ensuring that their benefits reach the people without delay.
She further noted that, as the primary objective of all these projects is to eradicate poverty, it is essential to establish and regulate criteria based on practical experience to ensure both the quality and long-term effectiveness of these programmes.
The Prime Minister also drew attention to a previously raised issue concerning the absence of an institution responsible for certain lands, canals, and drainage systems. She stressed that there cannot be roads or waterways for which no institution bears responsibility.
Officials informed the meeting that, under a Gazette notification, the ownership and responsibility for canals and rivers lie with the Department of Irrigation. Accordingly, the Prime Minister instructed officials not to allow this matter to become an obstacle when initiating development projects in the future.
The Chairman of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Members of Parliament Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, Aruna Panagoda, Asitha Niroshana, Devananda Sureweera, Colombo District Secretary Ginige Prasanna Janaka Kumara, heads of government institutions, Divisional Secretaries, and representatives of the Planning Committee were among those present at the occasion.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The government has chosen not to respond to questions raised by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) regarding the detention of retired Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay in connection with the ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested the ex-official in late February this year. The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers have jointly raised the issue on 20 July, 2026.
Drawing attention of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to what they called alleged arbitrary detention of Sallay, former Director General of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) and former Director of Military Intelligence (DMI), under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), as well as allegations of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment while in custody, resulting in the grave deterioration of his health, and imminent risks of retaliation through further torture and ill-treatment resulting in irreparable harm, should he be released from hospital and returned to custody, the UN sought the government explanation with a 60-day period.
The UN has stated: “This communication, and any response received from your Excellency’s Government, will be made public via the communications reporting website at the 60 days mark. Should your Excellency’s Government respond within 60 days, both the communication and the response, may be published before the 60 days mark. The communications and responses
will also be made available in the subsequent periodic report to be presented to the Human Rights Council.”
In the absence of the government’s response, the UN posted the letter, dated 20 July, 2026, addressed to President Dissanayake. The full letter can be accessed https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=31125
News
Section of wartime KKS High Security Zone vacated to facilitate economic development in the area
The Army, last week, vacated an area, within the wartime high security zone in the Jaffna peninsula. The Defence Ministry said that an extent of 187.56 acres of land, belonging to the Cement Corporation in Kankesanthurai, Jaffna, has been released by the military. The released land, located in Grama Niladhari Division J/233, Kankesanthurai West, within the Valikamam North (Tellippalai) Divisional Secretariat Division, had been utilised by the Sri Lanka Army since the middle of 1997.
The release of the 187.56-acre extent forms part of the initiative to make State land available for the proposed investment zone in Kankesanthurai, thereby facilitating future investment and economic development in the area.
A complaint has been lodged with the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau against the Government Printer and the Secretary to the Ministry of Media regarding the online release of falsified documents bearing a forged Speaker’s certificate.
Attorney-at-Law Aruna Laksiri has lodged a complaint with the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau requesting legal action against the Government Printer of the Department of Government Printing (No. 118, Dr. Danister de Silva Mawatha, Colombo 08), Prasanna Jayaratne, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media (Asidisi Medura, 163, Kirulapone Mawatha, Polhengoda, Colombo 05), Dr. Anil Jasinghe.
The complaint alleges the commission of offences by forging and uploading falsified documents online using a forged Speaker’s certification, failure to perform statutory duties, and misappropriation of public property.
The complaint states that a copy of the English translation of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was downloaded and printed from the official website of the Government Printing Department (www.documents.gov.lk), which operates under the Ministry of Mass Media. On its outer cover and on page 1, the text “certified on 25th of September, 2026” is inscribed inside brackets.
The complaint pointed out that the Speaker has certified an English translation. Under Articles 23, 79, 83, and 80 of the Constitution, Parliament enacts laws and the Speaker certifies bills strictly in the Sinhala and Tamil languages; under the Constitution, therefore the Speaker cannot apply such certification to an English translation.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the most part of the island after 1.00 p.m
Geneva takes up Sallay’s case and govt. ignores opportunity to answer accusations
Section of wartime KKS High Security Zone vacated to facilitate economic development in the area
Lawyer lodges complaint against Govt. Printer, Media Ministry Secy.
Sri Lankan troops in joint anti-terrorist exercise in Russia
Nine Indian poachers brought to KKS with their boat
‘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
-
Latest News6 days agoGold winner Tharanga gets brand-new Honda Vezel from SLAAJ
-
Features6 days agoWhy Sri Lanka needs an Inclusive Civic Nationalism – urgently
-
News5 days agoUS-assisted ‘Ice’ detection: NPC to examine IGP’s move to transfer drug-busting team
-
Features7 days agoThailand’s biggest new global star …
-
News7 days agoFirst cases taken up by SC after enactment of 22A dismissed
-
News6 days agoCivil society activist accuses govt. of favouring Ven. Gnanasara
-
Editorial4 days agoColombo Port drug bust: The plot thickens
-
Editorial7 days agoAftershocks of 22A