News
Life imprisonment for LTTE intelligence wing cadre amidst bid to abolish PTA
… also indicted for attempt to assassinate MR after war
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Over 13 years after the successful conclusion of the war, the Colombo High Court has sentenced an ex-LTTE intelligence wing member, Thangavelu Nimalan, to life imprisonment.
The Colombo HC gave the ruling on 28 Feb., amidst ongoing efforts to abolish the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Nimalan, taken into custody, in Kilinochchi, under the PTA, was indicted in the Colombo HC in 2011. At the time of his arrest, Nimalan had two kilos of RDX explosives in his possession.
According to police headquarters, the convict was also charged with alleged involvement in attempts to assassinate the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa during the war and afterwards.
Investigations revealed an abortive plot by the LTTE to trigger explosions at the Maligapitiya ground, Kurunegala, on 02 Feb, 2009 and at a Badulla rally on 05 August, 2009 held in support of UPFA Local Government candidates contesting the Uva Provincial Council polls.
Nimalan was also indicted on carrying out a claymore mine attack on a truck carrying a group of police commandos on 28 May, 2007 and organising a suicide attack on a gathering near Godapitiya Jumma Mosque, Akuressa, on 13 March 2009. The blast killed 14 persons and left 35 others seriously injured. Among those present at the event were lawmakers A. H. M. Fowzie, Mahinda Wijesekara, Mahinda
Yapa Abeywardena, Pandu Bandaranaike, the late Chandrasiri Gajadeera and Ali Ameer.
Police headquarters said that Nimalan had been with a group of operatives, under the command of the then LTTE intelligence wing leader, identified as Muththappan.
The arrest of Nimalan, along with several others assigned to the Muththappan’s group, led to the recovery of explosives, suicide kits and a range of equipment.
The TNA has been demanding the abolition of the PTA, and its campaign has received the backing of Western powers, the United Nations Human Rights Council, and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), which has said the offence of terrorism should be included in the Penal Code with a new definition for terrorism. The HRCSL has advocated that terrorism should be investigated under the General Law of the country with necessary amendments.
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 09 April 2026, valid for 10 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
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Sun directly overhead Chilaw, Bingiriya, Halmillawewa, Panduwasnuwara, Gokarella, Kawudupelella, Koppaveli and Kirankulam about 12:12 noon. today (09)
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from the 05th to 15th of April this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (09th) are Chilaw, Bingiriya, Halmillawewa, Panduwasnuwara, Gokarella, Kawudupelella, Koppaveli and Kirankulam about 12:12 noon.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 4.30 p.m. on 08 April 2026, valid for 09 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry
of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.
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Showers will occur at a few places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya and Mannar districts after 2.00 p.m.
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