News
IGP put on notice over CID’S failure to arrest State Minister Gamage
Premier Legal Consultants, Counsel for civil society activist Oshala Herath, has informed IGP C. D. Wickremaratne that legal action would be initiated against him, too, unless W.I.P. Shashikala, OIC of the Human Trafficking and Smuggling Unit of the CID was directed to arrest State Minister Diana Gamage for committing offenses under Sections 45(1) (a) and 45(1) (c) of the Immigration and Emigration Act.
Rienzie Arsecularatne, PC, has taken this up with the IGP, following the inordinate delay on the part of the CID officer in taking the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) National List MP into custody over the disclosures made in the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, pertaining to a complaint Herath lodged with the Human Trafficking and Smuggling Unit of the CID, on Nov, 02, 2020.
Pointing out that the Human Trafficking and Smuggling Unit of the CID has filed a report in the Magistrate Court, on March 09, 2021, the Counsel brought to the IGP’s attention that the lawmaker had obtained two Sri Lankan passports, bearing numbers N 5091386 and OL 5654794 (official passport) while being a British citizen.
The lawyer said that the CID continued to shirk its duties even after the Magistrate, on April 24, 2023, declared that on the basis of material furnished by the Immigration and Emigration Department, the investigating officers could make the arrest under Section 32(1) of Code of Criminal Procedure Act No 15 of 1979. The Magistrate has also stressed that investigating officers had no discretion in that regard, the lawyers pointed out to the IGP.
MP Gamage has switched her allegiance to President Ranil Wickremesinghe having entered parliament with the blessings of SJB leader Sajith Premadasa.
The IGP has been told that conferring of wrongful or unlawful benefit, favour or advantage on the lawmaker constituted the offense of corruption in terms of Section 70 of the Bribery Act (SF)
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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued early warnings to the Districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 1600hrs on 13th June 2026 till 1600hrs on 14th June 2026.
Accordingly,
LEVEL I (YELLOW) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surounding areas of Palindanuwara and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya and Ayagama, Pelmadulla,
Godakawela, Elapatha, Kalawana, Ratnapura and Nivithigala in the Ratnapura district.
News
INS Sharda departs Colombo concluding replenishment visit
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Sharda’ departed the island today (13 Jun 26), concluding her replenishment purposes.
On departure the vessel was accorded a traditional naval farewell by the Sri Lanka Navy at the Port of Colombo.
The visit also paved the way for vibrant personnel interactions, fostering camaraderie and goodwill. The crew of INS Sharda and personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy participated in a
friendly volleyball match and a joint yoga session. A
dditionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel had the opportunity to visit the Indian naval vessel, while the visiting crew took time to explore several culturally significant landmarks across the island.
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Special Dengue Prevention Week declared in Colombo District from June 15 to 21
A decision has been taken to declare a Special Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 of June by the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee to curb the spread of the disease in the Colombo District.
This decision was taken at the meeting of the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee held on Friday (12) at the Colombo District Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Compared to last year, the number of dengue cases reported this year has increased significantly. According to the National Dengue Control Unit, approximately 39,100 dengue cases have been reported island wide to date, of which 25.8% have been recorded in the Colombo District. Following this situation, the Colombo District has been identified as a high-risk district.
Health authorities informed that the increasing spread of the disease has been influenced not only by the nature of circulating virus but also to the lack of sufficient immunity among the population. They further noted that the recent period of heavy rainfall has aggravated the spread of Dengue.
It was also identified that the current outbreak is being reported more frequently from public places such as government institutions, private establishments, schools, and religious venues rather than from residential premises. Observations have identified improperly managed solid waste and drainage systems in offices and other public locations as major breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Accordingly, during the Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 June, a series of measures will be implemented, including, organising community clean-up campaigns in government and private institutions, schools, residential areas, and other public spaces; Conducting inspections of high-risk premises by Divisional Secretariats and taking legal action, where necessary, followed by awareness programmes; Distributing informational leaflets, displaying banners, and carrying out public awareness campaigns through the media. Health authorities also requested school administrations not to involve students below Grade 10 in school cleaning programmes and to immediately notify the relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office if a student is diagnosed with dengue.
The programme is expected to receive the active support and participation of the district’s political leadership, religious leaders of all faiths, public officials, local government institutions, the tri-forces, the police, and the general public.
The event was attended by the Chairperson of the District Coordination Committee, Members of Parliament, representatives of local government authorities, government secretaries, police officers, and officials representing the education and health sectors, among others.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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