News
Police Spokesman tells PCoI detention of terror suspects should be decided by a DIG instead of court
… stresses need for new law to govern intelligence agencies
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Police spokesman, DIG Ajith Rohana, on Saturday, told the PCoI probing the Easter Sunday attacks that the power to issue detention orders for suspects arrested on terrorism-related activities should be given to a DIG instead of a court of law. He said that there was a dire need for a new law governing the activities of intelligence agencies.
Giving evidence before the PCoI for the third day, the Police Spokesman said that suspects arrested for terrorism, related offences should be questioned at least for six months. Rohana, who was on the committee that provided inputs for the Counter Terrorism Act (CTA) proposed by the previous administration, was called before the PCoI to ascertain his opinions on the existing laws on terrorism and religious extremism and the steps that should be taken to curb such activities.
The representative of the Attorney General’s Department that led the evidence asked Rohana what the most important aspects to be considered were when extending detention orders for terror suspects.
“Usually, we go before a Magistrate to get detention orders or to get an extension. My personal opinion is that a DIG must be given the power to extend detention orders. There is no problem with establishing a supervisory body to monitor this. A Magistrate who operates in an area where terrorism or religious extremism is rife is somewhat unsafe. Pressure can be exerted on the Magistrate. But since the investigators are trained, armed and are in camps they have no such worries. The Magistrate or the Human Rights Commission can see the suspects once a month.”
The police spokesman added that authorising a DIG to extend detention orders would be helpful to investigators.
Chairman of the PCoI then asked DIG Rohana for his proposals on granting bail for those arrested for terrorist activities. “I don’t think such a person should be granted bail before a year has elapsed. If bail is granted before a year, the AG’s advice must be sought. If a suspect is to be given bail after a year, a high court should do that. I am making these suggestions based on the complexity of terrorism these days.”
The Chairman asked, “There have been instances where politicians contact policemen regarding bail for suspects. Doesn’t this obstruct justice?”
The DIG said: Certainly, politicians do such things, and don’t think about the impact of such action on the country. According to the Penal Code, preventing the enactment of justice and hiding evidence are offences.
Chairman: “Tell me, based on your experience, who should be entrusted with investigating a group of extremists in a particular area? The police station there or officers from a central location?”
“Even now this is being done by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID.) There is a DIG in charge of the TID. I think such investigations must be directed centrally but sub divisions must be established provincially. We also need laws governing intelligence operations, this is a good way to strengthen these mechanisms,” DIG Rohana said.
The Sri Lanka Navy rescued a fisherman from a local fishing trawler that encountered distress due to adverse weather conditions off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka.
The rescue operation took place on 17 July 2026, approximately 15 nautical miles off Pothuvil. The operation was launched following information received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo.
In response, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed the Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS Vijayabahu along with additional craft to conduct a search operation in the designated sea area, where they successfully located the distressed fisherman.
Following the rescue, the individual was brought aboard SLNS Vijayabahu, where naval personnel administered preliminary first aid. He was subsequently brought to the mainland and rushed for further medical attention.
Meanwhile, the Navy, along with the coordination of MRCC Colombo, remains constantly prepared to swiftly respond to the eventualities faced by maritime and fishing communities operating within the island’s Search and Rescue Region (SRR).
The countrywide dengue outbreak has intensified, with the death toll rising to 50, by July 16, as the number of reported infections surpassed 73,000, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).
The country has recorded 73,455 dengue cases so far this year, with the case fatality rate standing at 0.07 percent, highlighting the severity of the ongoing outbreak.
The Western Province continues to remain the worst affected region, accounting for more than half of the total cases, with 38,700 infections. The Gampaha District has recorded the highest number of cases in the province with 15,341, followed closely by Colombo with 14,625.
The Southern Province has reported 11,382 cases, while the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces have each recorded more than 6,000 infections.
Dengue cases have shown a sharp increase in recent months, with June recording the highest monthly total of 21,538 cases, while July has already reported 18,076 infections. In comparison, 8,590 cases were reported in May, and 5,651 in April.
Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk locations during the 27th epidemiological week. An average of 2,677 new dengue cases are being reported daily, prompting authorities to intensify prevention and mosquito control measures.
The Colombo High Court yesterday (17) resumed hearing the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The proceedings were held before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, where evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses, under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa, cross-examined the witnesses during the hearing.
After recording evidence, the court ordered that further examination of evidence be postponed until July 24.
The Attorney General has filed indictments, alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, valued at more than Rs. 73 million.
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