Building on its success in seizing major narcotic stocks in 2025, the Navy continued to support the “A Nation United” National Mission in 2026. In continuation of these efforts, during an
operation conducted on the high seas south of Sri Lanka, the Navy apprehended eleven (11) suspects aboard two local multi-day fishing trawlers suspected of drug smuggling.

Based on shared information, by the Sri Lanka Navy and Police, this special operation was conducted off the southern coast, deploying the Navy‟s Offshore Patrol Vessels. The operation
resulted in the interception of a multi-day fishing trawler  suspected of smuggling narcotics, and the apprehension of five (05) suspects on board.

During further operations in the same area, naval units seized another multi-day fishing trawler (01), along with communication equipment and six (06) additional suspects, also believed to be involved in drug smuggling.

This morning (25 Jan 26), the two intercepted fishing trawlers, along with fourteen (14) sacks laden with suspected narcotics and the suspects, were brought to the Dikovita Fisheries Harbour.

An expert examination by the Police Narcotic Bureau confirmed that the fourteen (14) sacks contained more than 184 kilograms of heroin and over 112 kilograms of ‘Ice’ (crystal methamphetamine).

The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara,  the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, and the Inspector General of Police,  Priyantha Weerasuriya, inspected the narcotics at the Dikovita harbour.

The Deputy Minister of Defence said  that the current administration has initiated several projects for national development. As a flagship initiative, under the directives and guidance of the President, and under the supervision of the
Ministry of Defence, well-coordinated anti-narcotic raids have been launched.

This effort, part of “A Nation United” National Mission, involves the tri-forces, police, and all intelligence agencies working together under a coordinated plan to ensure that drug smugglers have no opportunity to bring narcotics into the country, he opined. He further stated that despite the national disaster situation, the state machinery, including the tri-forces, the police, and the public at large, remains united in rebuilding the nation, no room will be left for drug trafficking, which poses a severe threat to national security and public safety. Those
who engage in or support drug trafficking, under the cover of fishing activities, will find no escape, he added.

The Deputy Minister also reaffirmed that the tri-forces, police, and all law enforcement agencies are fully committed to their duty of suppressing this menace.

The Deputy Minister of Defence reported that, throughout 2025, a series of highly successful operations were conducted leading to numerous arrests. This was achieved through close coordination and mutual cooperation among the tri-services, the police, the Special Task Force, Police Narcotics Bureau, local law enforcement and international agencies. He noted that this
same spirit of cooperation and commitment has continued into 2026, resulting in the seizure of a large stockpile of drugs.

On behalf of the Honourable President, he extended gratitude to all who contributed to these efforts, specifically acknowledging the Commander of the Navy, the Inspector General of Police, the Police Narcotic Bureau, and the crews of the Navy’s Offshore
Patrol Vessels.

Moreover, the Deputy Minister declared that drug smuggling has become a national crisis, fueled by youth involvement and social crime. With borders secured under the “Nation United” National Mission, he warned traffickers to cease operations and urged users to abandon the destructive habit.

The Deputy Minister urged the public to report suspected drug smugglers to law enforcement via the hotlines 1818 or 1997 and also commended the role of media institutions and journalists in raising public awareness about the dangers of narcotics through responsible reporting.

Meanwhile, the two (02) multi-day fishing trawlers, along with a haul of narcotics, eleven (11) suspects, and communication equipment, were handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for
further investigation and legal proceedings.

Engineers at the Ceylon Electricity Board have drawn a clear red line over the government’s plan to gazette the appointed date for restructuring the utility, warning that trade union action will follow if the move is pushed through without addressing their core demands, the Sunday Island learns.

The powerful Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) says preparations are already under way for industrial action, most likely after the appointed date gazette is published, should the Minister proceed without resolving outstanding issues raised repeatedly by engineers.

“If the appointed date is gazetted without addressing our demands, we will have no option but to take trade union action,” a senior electrical engineer told The Island, stressing that the warning should be taken seriously.

CEBEU sources say the engineers’ demands are aimed at preventing a structural and financial crisis in the electricity sector, rather than blocking reform. They insist that unbundling the CEB without first putting in place firm safeguards would expose the sector to instability and consumers to higher costs.

The engineers’ key demands include: legally binding financial safeguards to ensure the proposed Electricity Generation Company is viable from inception; protection against the transfer of legacy liabilities, extraordinary costs, or inefficiencies to new entities or electricity consumers; enforceable accountability for management and policy decisions that inflate system costs; genuine, structured consultation with technical professionals before irreversible decisions are taken; and a halt to gazetting the appointed date until these safeguards are formally incorporated.

Engineers warn that rushing the appointed date would lock existing weaknesses into the new structure, making them harder—and more expensive—to fix later. “Once the appointed date is gazetted, there is no rewind button,” a senior engineer said. “If the foundation is flawed, the entire structure will suffer.”

Meanwhile, according to energy analyst, Dr. Vidhura Ralapanwe, electricity sector reforms must be grounded in technical and financial reality, not driven by administrative timelines.

He has cautioned that implementing structural changes without correcting underlying governance and cost issues risks destabilising the sector and undermining public confidence.

CEBEU officials reject claims that the union is resisting reform. They say engineers are being sidelined in decision-making while being held responsible for system performance. “We are accountable for keeping the system running, but our professional warnings are being ignored,” one engineer said. “That is not reform; it is reckless governance.”

With the Minister yet to gazette the appointed date, tensions within the power sector are rising sharply.

Engineers say the government now faces a stark choice: engage with professionals and fix the problems first—or brace for confrontation in a sector where disruption will have coutrywide consequences.

By Ifham Nizam ✍️

The annual Colombo Navam Maha Perahera, along with an exhibition of sacred relics brought from India, will be held at Gangaramaya Vihara in Hunupitiya, featuring a series of religious observances, according to Most Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera.

Addressing a media briefing on Friday, the Venerable Thera said the Perahera will take place on January 31 and February 1, commencing at 7.30 p.m. and concluding before 10.00 p.m., after parading through the streets of Colombo.

He said specially decorated floats have been prepared to depict key historical events, enabling foreign visitors to better understand Sri Lanka’s cultural and religious heritage. The floats will portray significant moments such as the arrival of Arahat Mahinda, the bringing of the Sri Maha Bodhi, and the arrival of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and will be performed by leading local artistes.

The procession is expected to feature around 8,000 dancers and elephants, representing a wide range of traditional dance forms.

The exhibition of sacred relics from the Devnimodara Shrine in India will be held at Gangaramaya Vihara from February 4 to 11. The Venerable Thera urged devotees to visit the temple dressed in white and to refrain from bringing valuables or large items of luggage. He added that necessary facilities have been arranged to accommodate the large number of devotees expected.

Meanwhile, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi said a mobile application will be introduced to inform devotees of the approximate date and time allocated for venerating the Sarvagna Dhathu, in a bid to manage crowds more efficiently.

Senior DIG in charge of Colombo G. Nishantha de Zoysa said a special security plan has been implemented with the assistance of the tri-forces, in accordance with instructions from the Ministry of Public Security and the Inspector General of Police. He added that a comprehensive traffic management plan, including alternative routes, has been prepared, and that detailed police announcements will be issued shortly. The Senior DIG also advised the public not to carry large luggage, jewellery, mobile phones, or other valuables when visiting the exhibition.