News

SJB too demands prosecution of ex-President Sirisena and others over Easter carnage

Published

4 years ago

2021/10/28

By Saman Indrajith

The SJB yesterday demanded that the government allow the Attorney General to prosecute all those against whom the Presidential Commission of inquiry on Easter Sunday carnage wanted criminal proceedings instituted.

Addressing the media at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo, Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella said that the Attorney General could not be forced by the government to spare certain individuals. “The report of the Presidential Commission recommends that legal action be taken against the former head of State Intelligence Service, senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena and the former President Maithripala Sirisena. But the government does not implement those recommendations.

“The Cardinal says that before the election, Gotabaya Rajapaksa promised to prosecute all those responsible for the carnage. After release of the PCoI report the Cardinal has been told by the President that he could not implement some recommendations therein because he would lose his popularity. That is wrong. He cannot do so, it is the job of the Attorney General. It is not the President who implements the law of this country but the Attorney General. The President has no powers to that. “Upon the receipt of the PCoI report the government appointed a cabinet subcommittee under Minister Chamal Rajapaksa to study the report. Now, the government implements the recommendations of that sub-committee which has recommended to select whom should be prosecuted and who should be left out from the original list of persons identified by the PCoI as responsible for the terror attacks.

“The PCoI recommendations are not being properly implemented. We demand that the government should implement all recommendations of the PCoI. Victims demand the same. The Church and the Cardinal demand the same. The AG should prosecute all identified by the PCoI and let the judiciary decide who is guilty and who is not. The President cannot interfere in selecting the list to be prosecuted. That amounts to the Executive interfering in the matters of the judiciary.”

MP Kiriella said that consequences of the October 2018 constitutional crisis and 52-day government had paved the way for the Easter Sunday terror attacks. “That crisis started on 26 Oct., 2018. Thereafter, the then President Sirisena sidelined the UNP, which was the main party in the Yahapalana government. The National Security Council met without anyone representing the UNF government. The NSC was even attended by some SLFP MPs. President Sirisena took over the Ministry of Law and Order under him in addition to the Defence Ministry. The first move against the Yahapalana government was the 52-day government; the second was the Easter Sunday attack. Nilantha Jayawardena received all information and intelligence from India with exact dates, places and even the names of the attackers. He says that he did not pass that intelligence on to President Sirisena, who was the Minister of Defence. That was an offence. When the PCoI asked Jayawardena to surrender his mobile phone, he did so after deleting all its records. That too is an offence. Former President Sirisena says that he did not know anything about the matter because he had not been informed of it. Yet, the PCoI determined that he was responsible. The government should let the Attorney General implement the recommendations of the PCoI by prosecuting all who have been identified as persons responsible for the Easter Sunday carnage.”

SJB Kurunegala District MP JC Alawathuwala also addressed the press.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The 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, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala 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

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Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.

News

PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)