News
Hired gun at large after major hit targeting entire security staff of nightclub foiled by police
Police are on the lookout for a hired gunman who led a hit squad contracted to wipe out the security staff at a Kollupitiya nightclub in retaliation for spoiling an earlier hit job there. A special operation has been launched to apprehend the suspect.
The gunman was part of an armed underworld gang that attempted to storm the nightclub on Monday night (09) with the intent of killing its security personnel. Kollupitiya Police managed to thwart the attack and arrested five members of the gang during a late-night operation.
Officers recovered a T-56 assault rifle, 30 rounds of ammunition, and a magazine believed to have been brought for the attack. Investigations have linked the plot to notorious underworld figure Kanjipani Imran, who is currently believed to be hiding overseas.
Police say the planned assault was a retaliatory move following an incident on 19 July, when two contract killers attempted to assassinate an individual known as Dematagoda Ruwan at the same venue. The attempt was foiled by the club’s security staff, who forced the attackers to flee, abandoning their weapons in the process.
Subsequent intelligence revealed that Monday’s attackers had been dispatched specifically to target those same security personnel for thwarting the earlier hit. During a citywide search operation ordered by Western Province Senior DIG Sanjeewa Dharmarathna, Kollupitiya Police attempted to question two suspicious youths, who took to their heels, leaving behind a bag. A search of the bag led to the discovery of the T-56 weapon, ammunition, and a magazine.
The follow-up operation, carried out under the supervision of Kollupitiya OIC resulted in the arrest of five gang members.
Police said that the gunman who was to execute the assassination was still at large, and a dedicated manhunt was now underway.
By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randunu ✍️
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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