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SJB MP alleges police kept him in the dark over assassination plot

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MP Vithana

Two bodyguards assigned

SJB MP Jagath Vithana yesterday (26) said that the NPP government should conduct an overall security review without further delay. The Kalutara District lawmaker said so after police headquarters assigned two personnel for him following information as regards a possible attempt to assassinate him.

Responding to The Island queries, the Opposition member said that IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya himself had been aware of the possible attempt for about a month, although he was not alerted. “I got to know about the alleged plot after making inquiries regarding police officers visiting his home four days ago to inquire whether he had bodyguards and weapons. Police Headquarters owed an explanation regarding its failure to brief me of the alleged attempt,” MP Vithana said.

Following the change of government last year the new government decided against providing security to parliamentarians.

Referring to statements that had been attributed to Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala, regarding the IGP being directed to inquire into alleged death threats on him, MP Vithana pointed out that the issue at hand is the failure on the part of the police to pass on to him the information available to them.

Vithana said that the government appeared to have panicked following the assassination of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickremesekara (SJB) in his office on 22 October. According to him, the police visited his home last Friday (24), while he was in Parliament, where he first revealed the alleged plot after receiving a call from his wife. “The police arrived at my Kalutara home in a three-wheeler,” MP Vithana said.

Vithana said that the NPP government had sought to convince the public that the MPs didn’t require special security.

Soon after the new government took office, instructions were also issued to those permitted to own firearms to hand them over to law enforcement authorities, MP Vithana said. Now that campaign has boomeranged on the government, the former UNPer urge the government to take tangible measures to bring the situation under control.

According to police statistics, 51 lives have been lost so far this year due to 100 shooting incidents. Lasantha Wickremasekera had been the 51st victim. The number of wounded persons has been placed at 56.

MP Vithana pointed out that the police couldn’t wash their hands off the Weligama killing as the victim had sought immediate protection after having named those who posed a threat to his life. How could police deny an elected people’s representative security on the basis there were court cases against him? MP Vithana asked.

By Shamindra Ferdinando ✍️



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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura

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The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued early warnings to the Districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 1600hrs on 13th June 2026 till 1600hrs on 14th June 2026.

Accordingly,

LEVEL I (YELLOW) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surounding areas of Palindanuwara and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district,  Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya and Ayagama, Pelmadulla,
Godakawela, Elapatha, Kalawana, Ratnapura and Nivithigala in the Ratnapura district.

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INS Sharda departs Colombo concluding replenishment visit

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The Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Sharda’ departed the island today (13 Jun 26), concluding her replenishment purposes.

On departure  the vessel was accorded a traditional naval farewell by the Sri Lanka Navy at the Port of Colombo.

The visit also paved the way for vibrant personnel interactions, fostering camaraderie and goodwill. The crew of INS Sharda and personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy participated in a
friendly volleyball match and a joint yoga session. A

dditionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel had the opportunity to visit the Indian naval vessel, while the visiting crew took time to explore several culturally significant landmarks across the island.

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Special Dengue Prevention Week declared in Colombo District from June 15 to 21

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A decision has been taken to declare a Special Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 of June by the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee to curb the spread of the disease in the Colombo District.

This decision was taken at the meeting of the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee held on Friday  (12) at the Colombo District Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Compared to last year, the number of dengue cases reported this year has increased significantly. According to the National Dengue Control Unit, approximately 39,100 dengue cases have been reported island wide to date, of which 25.8% have been recorded in the Colombo District. Following this situation, the Colombo District has been identified as a high-risk district.

Health authorities informed that the increasing spread of the disease has been influenced not only by the nature of circulating virus but also to the lack of sufficient immunity among the population. They further noted that the recent period of heavy rainfall has aggravated the spread of Dengue.

It was also identified that the current outbreak is being reported more frequently from public places such as government institutions, private establishments, schools, and religious venues rather than from residential premises. Observations have identified improperly managed solid waste and drainage systems in offices and other public locations as major breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Accordingly, during the Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 June, a series of measures will be implemented, including, organising community clean-up campaigns in government and private institutions, schools, residential areas, and other public spaces; Conducting inspections of high-risk premises by Divisional Secretariats and taking legal action, where necessary, followed by awareness programmes; Distributing informational leaflets, displaying banners, and carrying out public awareness campaigns through the media. Health authorities also requested school administrations not to involve students below Grade 10 in school cleaning programmes and to immediately notify the relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office if a student is diagnosed with dengue.

The programme is expected to receive the active support and participation of the district’s political leadership, religious leaders of all faiths, public officials, local government institutions, the tri-forces, the police, and the general public.

The event was attended by the Chairperson of the District Coordination Committee, Members of Parliament, representatives of local government authorities, government secretaries, police officers, and officials representing the education and health sectors, among others.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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