Civil society activist Chirantha Amarasinghe has, in a letter to the Secretary to the Public Security Ministry, Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne (retd.), raised a contentious issue of law enforcement authorities obtaining information pertaining to telephone calls, without court intervention.

Amarasinghe has released his letter, dated 14 July, 2025, to the media. The civil society activist quoted the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission as having told him that a special arrangement is in place for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to secure required telephone details without obtaining court permission.

The police obtained information, pertaining to his phone, following a complaint lodged by former Bishop of Mannar, Rev. Emmanuel Fernando, regarding his criticism of the Bishop extending a warm welcome to the then President Ranil Wickremesinghe on 16 June, 2024, in spite of the UNP leader’s failure to ensure justice for Easter Sunday victims.

Urging the Public Security Ministry to stop the despicable practice forthwith, Amarasinghe, in terms of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, has sought from the Secretary to the Ministry all documents pertaining to the launch of operation to secure telephone details without court approval. (SF)

Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne has filed an anticipatory bail application before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, seeking release on bail in the event of his arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Having received the application, Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga issued notice to the Bribery Commission, directing it to present its submissions before the court on 18 July.

Senaratne is under investigation for illegally leasing a sand mining project at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour to a Korean company, causing a loss of Rs 26.3 million to the State. CIABOC has informed court that the former Minister had not reported about it.

The CIABOC has requested the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.

In connection with the same case, former Chairman of the Fisheries Corporation, Upali Liyanage, has been arrested by the CIABOC and produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga, who granted him bail.

The Committee on High Posts, which met recently under the patronage of the Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya in Parliament, has given its approval for the appointment of four new Ministry secretaries.

Accordingly, the Committee on High Posts has approved the appointments of Prof. K. T. M. Udayanga Hemapala as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Energy and Mr. K.M.G.S.N. Kaluwewa as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, S.M. Piyatissa as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and Ms. K.D.R. Olga as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.