News
Dy. Minister Watagala blames killing of Ganemulle Sanjeewa on previous rulers
By Saman Indrajith
Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala told Parliament yesterday that slain underworld figure Ganemulle Sanjeewa was a victim of a culture of eliminating evidence.
Participating in the second reading stage debate on budget 2025, Watagala said Sanjeewa had much information pertaining to crimes that had been committed at the behest of previous regimes and the latter was killed to prevent him divulging those secrets. “They could have been used as evidence against the former rulers who had perpetuated the culture of killing evidence. We launch an investigation against Tuesday night killing at Middeniya. That victim had stated in interviews that he and others carried out criminal contracts of the Rajapaksas. We’ll investigate all these hushed up crimes,” Watagala said.
He said that the Magistrate Court used to be cleared before its sessions by the STF and police K-9 units. This was stopped under the Ranil Wickremesinghe presidency with effect from Jan 02, 2023. They dismantled court security and now wept buckets lamenting that national security is in danger,” he said.
They have eliminated or misplaced evidence pertaining to all controversial killings. They have messed up evidence in cases pertaining to the killings of Lasantha Wickremetunge and Wasim Thajudeen. They have perpetuated this evidence killing culture for 17 years. Now they lament over national security. But if they think that they would be safe, we tell them to wait and see.
“I warn the criminals in the Opposition, prescriptive period for crimes in this country is 20 years. So, what you did during the past 17 years is still open for investigation,” Watagala said.
The Sri Lanka Navy seized three Indian fishing boats and apprehended 10 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, during a special operation conducted in the sea area north of Mannar and off the Delft Island in the dark hours of 19 Feb 25.
The Indian fishing boat, together with 04 fishermen aboard, held by the North Central Naval Command was brought to the Talaimannar Pier and they will be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar for legal action. Meanwhile the 02 Indian fishing boats and 06 fishermen held by the Northern Naval Command were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for legal proceedings.
Including the recent operation, the Navy has held 13 Indian fishing boats and apprehended 99 Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters, thus far in 2025.
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal submitted by the Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody to proceed with the establishment of two solar power plants capable of producing 50 megawatts and 70 megawatts at Sampur, Trincomalee, as a joint venture between Sri Lanka and India.
Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, said yesterday (20) that an agreement had been reached between the governments of Sri Lanka and India to set up those solar power plants in two phases—50 megawatts in the first stage and 70 megawatts in the second stage. The project will be undertaken as a joint venture between the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and India’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) under a construction, ownership, and operation model.
He noted that the proposed 50 MW solar power project would be implemented by Trincomalee Power Company Ltd, a partnership between the CEB and NTPC to develop the previously planned coal power project at Sampur.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to take the necessary steps to advance the project’s implementation, the Cabinet Spokesman said.
by Sujeewa Thathsara
The Health Professionals’ Association has announced plans to take strong professional action unless the recent government decision to reduce overtime and leave entitlements for full-time and part-time medical and nursing staff.
This ultimatum came during a meeting held in Colombo on Feb 19, where several health workers’ unions gathered to discuss the implications of the budgetary changes.
Ravi Kumudesh, President of the Health Professionals’ Association, said that if the authorities failed to provide fair solutions soon, they would be compelled to launch a strike.
“We have given the Health Minister seven days to engage in meaningful discussions and resolve these issues,” Kumudesh said, highlighting the sacrifices health professionals made, working around the clock to deliver essential services.
The Joint Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine (JCPSM) also expressed concern over the budget’s impact on health sector employees.
Meanwhile, other professional unions have also voiced their dissatisfaction with the budget. Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thera, President of the Association of Education Professionals, pointed out that the expected salary increases for schoolteachers and principals had not been granted.
Three buses explode in Israel in suspected terror attack, police say
Navy seize three Indian fishing boats poaching in Sri Lankan waters
Gill ton helps India ace tricky chase after Shami five-for
-
Sports6 days agoRemarkable turnaround for Sri Lanka’s ODI team
-
Features6 days agoScammed and Stranded: The Dark Side of Sri Lanka’s Migration Industry
-
Business6 days agoUN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka: Empowering Businesses to Lead Sustainability in 2025 & Beyond
-
News7 days agoSpeaker agrees to probe allegations of ‘unethical funding’ by USAID
-
Features5 days agoDon’t betray baiyas who voted you into power for lack of better alternative: a helpful warning to NPP – II
-
Features5 days agoTwo films and comments
-
News3 days agoCommercial High Court orders AASSL to pay Rs 176 mn for unilateral termination of contract
-
Sports2 days agoSri Lanka face Australia in Masters World Cup semi-final today