News
JVP attributes prison riot to unrest among inmates
By Saman Indrajith
The authorities might cremate the bodies of inmates killed during the Mahara Prison riot, claiming that had contracted COVID-19 infected instead of releasing their bodies to their families, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament yesterday.
“As per the Criminal Procedure Code, post mortems should be held on all those who had been killed at the Mahara Prison shooting. What were the results of the post mortems of the nine inmates? What is the cause of death mentioned in those reports? Would their parents be able to get those reports? These questions have gone unanswered. We have serious suspicions that they would not be answered,” Dissanayake said, making a special statement.
Dissanayake said the Mahara Prison riot had resulted from unrest among inmates. “There was tension in the prison following the spread of COVID-19. As per the government records, the congestion in prisons as at the end of August this year was closer to 250 percent. In the space meant for 11,792, they held 28,750 inmates. Of them around 20,000 are remand prisoners. Of those 83 admitted to the hospital from the Mahara Prison, 40 were subjected to antigen rapid tests and there were 26 positive cases.
Amidst the threat of COVID-19 infections, inhumane treatment by jailers, delay in cases, many had to stay in the remand longer and some of them had been there for 11 months for offences which carry sentences of six months, Dissanayake said. About 200-300 inmates each had been in hall with only a single toilet, he added.
Justice Minister Ali Sabry said the government would respond as soon as possible. A five-member committee under retired judge Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena had been appointed to investigate the matter, he said. “In addition the IGP has handed over police investigations on the matter to the CID. We want to give a detailed response to the House. We await some reports. On their receipt we’ll inform the House.”
Latest News
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
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