News
Public Security Minister’s directive for speedy police probe ignored
Lohan Ratwatte’s raids on prisons:
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Contrary to specific instructions issued by Public Security Minister Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera on 17 Sept., the police haven’t initiated an investigation into a complaint received from the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners into the then Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation State Minister Lohan Ratwatte allegedly threatening ex-LTTE cadres held at the Anuradhapura prison.
The Police Headquarters yesterday (3) acknowledged that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) hadn’t commenced an inquiry.
Although Ratwatte gave up the Prisons Management and Prisons’ Rehabilitation portfolio on 15 Sept. taking responsibility for incidents at the Welikada and the Anuradhapura prisons on Sept 6 and Sept 12, respectively, he retained the State Minister for Gem and Jewellery related Industries portfolio.
Weerasekera on 17 Sept. issued a special statement to the media that he had issued instructions to IGP C.D. Wickremaratne to initiate an inquiry immediately into the complaint received the previous day.
Chairman of the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners Attorney-at-Law Senaka Perera told The Island that the civil society group had lodged a complaint with the CID. The complaint hasn’t referred to the State Minister’s entry into the Welikada prison.
The Island sought an explanation from Senaka Perera yesterday as regards their failure to refer to the Welikada incident. The lawyer said that they lacked specific information pertaining to the Sept. 6 incident and hence their decision to leave it out.
The civil society group in a statement urged the police to arrest the Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya and Commissioner General of Prisons (Administration and Rehabilitation) Chandana Ekanayake, in addition to State Minister Ratwatte because they tried to suppress the Anuradhapura incident.
On both occasions, the State Minister, under the influence of liquor, allegedly displayed a weapon and threatened some of those held there.
Ratwatte, in a series of interviews and statements, subsequently denied allegations against him.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 12 April 2026, valid for 13 April 2026.
Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee 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.
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon.
The Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) TAIMUR and ASLAT arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 12 Apr 26.
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in
compliance with naval traditions.
The duo of ships is commanded by Captain NIAMAT SAEED KHAN (PNS TAIMUR) and Captain NADIR MATEEN AFRIDI (PNS ASLAT).
Meanwhile, the ships are expected to conduct a Bilateral Naval Exercise LION STAR V with the Sri Lanka Navy in Colombo seas.
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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces.
Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon
PNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
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