News
Ex-Ministry Secy. says last govt. lost sight of Muslim extremists in trying to please world
by Rathindra Kuruwita
The former government had been concerned that addressing rising Islamic extremism by arresting Muslims in the East would draw the ire of the international community, especially Middle Eastern leaders, former Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order, Jagath P. Wijeweera, on Saturday, told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks
Wijeweera said that Islamic extremism had been discussed frequently at the National Security Council (NSC.). but former government had lacked the strength to take appropriate decisions to counter extremism. Wijeweera said he felt Muslim ministers were behind the government’s lackadaisical attitude.
Wijeweera said that former President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had asked members of the NSC to pay close attention to extremists.
However, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara had not attended that NSC meeting, Wijeweera said, adding that Jayasundara had not been invited to the NSC because he had fallen out with President Maithripala Sirisena.
Intelligence agencies, especially the State Intelligence Service (SIS) had uncovered a significant amount of information on NTJ and its leader Zahran Hashim by 2017, the witness said.
Wijeweera was the secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order from November 11, 2015 to December 12, 2017.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted their concurrence to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Youth Affairs to appoint S. Achchudan of Special Grade of Sri Lanka Administrative Service, who is currently serving as an Additional Commissioner of Elections at the Elections Commission who is
recommended by the panel of interviewers to the post of Director General of the Sports Development Department with effect form 01.01.2026.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the draft bill of the National Environment (Amended) Act in the government gazette notification and subsequently to submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Buddhism, Religious, and Cultural Affairs to provide tax relief on imported dates received as donations or gift for Ramadan.
This year’s Ramadan fasting season is scheduled to begin on 19-02-2026 and end on 21-03-2026.
Shafali, Renuka close in on top five in ICC T20I rankings
S. Achchudan appointed as Director General of the Sports Development Department.
Amendment of the National Environment Act No. 47 of 1980
Tax relief for Dates received as donations or gifts for Ramadan
Cabinet nod to establish the Sri Lanka Industrial Transformation and innovation Authority
Temporary employment of Sri Lankan labour in the State of Israel
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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