Thirty-seven senior police officers have been transferred with immediate effect. They include 28 Officers-in-Charge (OICs) and five Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs). Four SSPs have been appointed Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs).

The police transfers have caused concern to the Opposition. Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader and Attorney-at-Law Udaya Gammanpila yesterday asked the government to explain why it had transferred 37 police officers with an election only a few weeks away. The spokespersons for other Opposition parties, such as the SJB and the SLPP, said they were studying the issue and would make their positions known soon.

Gammanpila said: “This is an election period as deposits are being collected for the forthcoming Local Government polls. Public servants cannot be transferred during this period. The IGP has transferred 37 senior police officers. The time duration between the date of announcing an election and the date announcing election results is considered as an election period. It is not only unethical but also unlawful to effect transfers in the public sector during the election period unless it is approved by the Election Commission (EC). It is irrational to conclude that transferring police officers were approved by the EC because such transfers have a direct impact on election activities. Hence, we urge the government to disclose whether these transfers were approved by the EC. If the transfers were approved by the EC, then the EC will have to explain the rationale behind the transfers.”

The police transfers have been made in the following manner: IP HHY Madhusankha from Galle Division to OIC of Pitigala, CI PHSC de Silva from Galle Division to OIC-Habaraduwa, IP WVCP Wijeratne from Negombo Division to OIC-Nungamuwa, IP BD Colombage from OIC-Baduraliya to OIC-Akkarayankulam, CI PP Wedisinghe from OIC-Udasirigama to OIC-Baduraliya,  IP WDB Fonseka from Trincomalee Division to Udasirigama-OIC, IP CD Wickremaratne from OIC-Lunugamvehera to general duties of Moneragala Division, CI LLA de Silva from Elpitiya Division to OIC-Lunugamvehera, IP TCA Rajakaruna from OIC- Alubomulla to OIC-Anguruatota, IP WKSL Wijeweera from OIC- Panadura North to OIC-Alubomulla, CI WAT Sarathchandra from Panadura Division to OIC-Panadura North, CI HRHN Bandara from Kuliyapitiya Division to OIC-Hettipola, CI KOP Abeyratne from Terrorist Investigation Division to OIC-Kiribathgoda, CI KA Darshana, from Panadura Division to OIC-Thebuwana, CI PL Keerthisinghe from OIC-Uragasmanhandiya to OIC-Morawewa, IP HSJ Ranga from Tangalle Division to OIC-Uragasmanhandiya, CI AC Rajapaksa from OIC-Weerawila to OIC-Bandaradoowa, IP DMN Pushpakumara from Trincomalee Division to OIC-Weerawila, CI MWBJ Bandara from Matale Division to OIC-Harbour Police, CI KKJ Thushara from OIC Ruwanwella to HQI-Talaimannar, CI HGSPKA Chandrasiri from OIC-Human Rights Division to OIC-Ruwanwella, IP SADDSP Dissanayake from OIC-Pindeniya to OIC-Kodikamam, WCI AAAK Abeysekera from Kegalle Division to OIC-Pindeniya, CI ULDS Priyantha from Galle Division to OIC-Ratgama, CI WPA Sanath Kumara from OIC-Hakmana to HQI-Weligama, IP HMJ Ratnayake from Matara Division to OIC-Hakmana, IP JMDH Jayathunga from Badulla Division to OIC-Kandeketiya, CI R Amila from Embilipitiya Division to OIC-Ambalantota, SSP AHN Asanka from Director Commission to Investigate Allegations on Bribery and Corruption to OIC-Division Kelaniya, SSP RGAB Gunatilake from OIC-Division Kelaniya to OIC-Division Teldeniya, SSP KKK Gunasekera from Director Communication Division to OIC- Division Bandarawela, SSP NRHP Gunasekera from Transport Division to Director same division, SSP MNS Mendis from Director- Research and Development to Batticaloa Division, SSP WPJ Senadheera from Director Human Resource Management and International Relations Division to Western Province (Traffic) Division, SSP DMMAB Mahagirigalla from Director Transport to Ratnapura Division and SSP KMUP Kalupahana from OIC-Division Bandarawela to Moneragala Division.

A historic increase in the number of female members of Parliament has been hailed as a significant achievement but further action is needed for more female representation, says Deputy Co-Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, Chamindranee Kiriella.

Addressing the media at the parliamentary complex on Saturday (8) to mark Women’s Day, Kiriella said that although the record number of women MPs in the 10th Parliament was an important milestone, it still fell short of the representation needed to truly reflect the country’s demographics and women’s role in politics. “It is mandatory to maintain female representation in local government bodies at 25%. Parliament should have more than 10 percent of its MPs as females. Several countries in the region, including Pakistan, have female representation in Parliament at around 30%,” Kiriella said.

While acknowledging the achievement of having 10% female representation in Parliament, Kiriella stressed that much more needed to be done to ensure greater female participation in political life. She also noted that the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has a crucial role to play in pushing for faster progress, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts beyond party lines to address the barriers women face in politics.

“We must work to ensure that more women are encouraged to join politics. This is just the beginning, and we have a long road ahead to achieve greater gender equality in decision-making,” Kiriella said.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarsuriya also marked the occasion by highlighting the importance of this achievement in the context of the ongoing struggle for women’s rights. She warned that the country’s victory, which has led to the highest number of female parliamentarians in history, should not be undermined by reactionary forces.

“This victory, achieved through a long and hard-fought struggle, should be celebrated with pride on Women’s Day,” Dr. Amarsuriya said. “We must continue to build on this momentum to ensure that women’s voices are heard and respected in all spheres of society.”

Previously, Sri Lanka’s Parliament saw a maximum of 13 female MPs. However, the current Parliament now includes 22 women, a historic high that Prime Minister Amarsuriya described as a victory not just for women but for society.

“The increase in female representation is not an accident—it’s the result of years of advocacy and action,” she said. “We are committed to systematically dismantling the barriers that prevent women from participating fully in political and public life.”

In line with the celebrations for International Women’s Day, Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj announced that a Women’s Week will be observed, with a series of events aimed at promoting women’s rights and empowerment. She noted that, for the first time, many previously unheard voices from marginalized communities are now being represented in Parliament.

“This is a turning point, and we will use this increased representation to drive forward the country’s development, making sure the perspectives and concerns of women are central to policy decisions,” said Minister Paulraj.

Kushani Rohanadeera, Secretary of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus and the Secretary General of Parliament, underscored the Caucus’s ongoing commitment to expanding women’s participation in politics. She outlined the group’s efforts to protect women’s rights, prevent violence against women, and ensure equal rights for female workers.

” Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus will continue to press for policies that promote equality and ensure that women are fully represented in political, social, and economic spheres,” Rohanadeera said.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Police have restored security to YouTuber Chamuditha Samarawickrama after he brought to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s notice what he called an imminent threat to his life from the underworld.

Samarawickrema has alleged that Dubai-based Battuwatte Chamara was planning to kill him. The Hiru anchor told The Island he phoned President Dissanayake on Feb 19, the day after the killing of Aruna Vidanagamage alias Meegasare Kajja.

The JVP-led National People’s Power (NPP) government removed security provided to Samarawickrema following an attack on his home at Wewala, Piliyandala, on Feb 14, 2022.

Samarawickrema said that gangster Aruna Vidanagamnage was the third person killed after appearing on

‘Truth with Chamuditha’ while Ayurvedic Doctor Senaka Gamage died under mysterious circumstances. Leader of Ape Jana Bala Pakshaye Saman Perera was killed along with four others in Tangalle in January 2024. Public Health Inspector (PHI) for Karandeniya Roshan Kumara Vithanage was killed in the following month.

Saman Perera was killed near the Southern Expressway exit point at Beliatta, Tangalle.  Roshan Kumara Vithanage was gunned down at his Elpitiya home.

A senior police official yesterday (09) said that they intended to record a statement from journalist Gayan Gallage as he alerted Samarawickrema to the alleged underworld threat. Declaring that adequate security had been provided to the complainant, the official said that they are proceeding with an investigation. According to him, Samarawickrema lodged a complaint in this regard with the Piliyandala police.

Samarawickrema, one-time media head of President Maithripala Sirisena said that he received a voice message on his whatsapp number from Surendra Wasantha Perera alias Club Wasantha minutes before he was shot dead in early July 2024 in Athurugiriya. Responding to another query, Samarawickrema said that he also talked to IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya regarding threats on his life.

Ex-Air Force officer Keerthi Ratnayake, who had appeared on ‘Truth with Chamuditha’ on numerous occasions told The Island that he earned the wrath of what he called politically influential underworld for exposing their sordid operations.

Ratnayake said that a thorough investigation was needed to identify the perpetrators of organized crime. According to Ratnayake, Batuwatte Chamara may have reacted angrily over certain remarks made by a woman who appeared on ‘Truth with Chamuditha.’