The Commissioner General of Elections, Saman C Rathnakya has announced that as at 4:15pm on 7th of March, 18 political parties and 57 independent groups have placed deposits to contest 168 local authorities at the forthcoming LA election.

Acceptance of deposits commenced on 3rd of March and will end at 12:00 noon on March 19.

Bought Rs. 0.5 million worth of gold jewellery in Kalutara

By Hemanta Randunu

Investigators suspect that Ishara Sewwandi, one of the main suspects in audacious killing of underworld gang leader Ganemulle Sanjeewa as he stood in the dock of a magistrate court at Hulftsdorp recently, may have fled to India by boat.

Authorities have searched nearly 200 locations where the suspect was reported to be hiding, but have so far been unable to find any trace of her.

The police state that tracking Ishara Sewwandi has been difficult since she has stopped using her mobile phone, making it impossible to gather any leads on her whereabouts.

Two days after the killing, Ishara Sewwandi reportedly travelled to the Kalutara area, where she purchased gold jewellery worth approximately Rs. 500,000 from a jewellery store. However, no significant information about her movements has been obtained since then. Gold and especially gold jewellery is much in demand in India.

Police now strongly suspect that the suspect may have escaped the country by boat via the southern coastal region.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) representatives have called on former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, stating that it would be beneficial if an experienced leader like him were to return to Parliament. However, the former President responded by stating, “No… I am now enjoying a peaceful retirement. But I am ready to provide any support you may need.”

The exchange took place during a discussion on Thursday between Wickremesinghe and GMOA representatives, who sought his intervention on several pressing issues faced by government doctors, party sources said.

The meeting was attended by GMOA President Dr. Sanjeewa Tennakoon, Secretary Prabath Sugathadasa, Treasurer Bandara Warakagoda, members of the executive committee, and S. Samarathunga, a senior advisor to the former President.

During the discussion, the GMOA raised key concerns, including the preservation of the 1/80 allowance for extra-duty payments, which has traditionally been maintained alongside basic salary revisions. They also requested the continuation of the 1/20 payment rate for work on holidays and Sundays and urged the government to implement the proposed increase in basic salaries for public sector employees as outlined in the 2025 budget. Furthermore, the GMOA sought consideration of proposals aimed at improving the medical profession and healthcare services.

In response, Wickremesinghe directed officials to provide the GMOA with a report detailing decisions made during negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) between 2022 and 2024, ensuring that such decisions had not adversely affected public sector employees. Samarathunga assured that the relevant information would be provided within two days.