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SLA contingent armed with clubs: Opposition demands explanation from MoD, Army headquarters

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4 years ago

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Public Security Minister says troops never got involved; inquiry not needed

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles yesterday (12) said that there was no need to investigate the presence of persons in military uniform, armed with wooden sticks and iron roads as they never engaged the protesters during the incidents in Colombo on 07 March.

The Minister said so when The Island inquired whether a ministerial level investigation was underway into the Opposition’s allegations. The military never entered the scene, Alles said.JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, last week, released pictures of men in uniform, armed with wooden sticks at the scene of the protests launched by university students.

The Public Security Minister insisted that the military hadn’t been deployed against protesters though troops were called in some instances.FSP spokesperson Pubudu Jagoda said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Defence Minister should explain how men in uniform armed with clubs and iron bars had positioned themselves near the police. An explanation is required as Army spokesman, Brigadier Ravi Herath had clearly denied that the men in uniform were members of the military.

Brigadier Herath was not immediately available for comment. He didn’t answer his mobile phone.Jagoda said that either the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government was prepared to use the military and the police in a para-military role or deploy ex-military personnel, and thugs as in the 80s.

Army Commander Lt. Gen. Vikum Liyanage should set the record straight, the former JVPer said. The government should be ashamed of its failure to identify those deployed alongside the police, six days after the media captured them, the FSP spokesperson said.

Jagoda said that the government couldn’t remain in the denial mode as the public questioned whether members of private security firm, Avant Garde, or Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Limited (RALL), affiliated to the Defence Ministry, were involved in attacking protests.

Retired DIG Priyantha Jayakody told The Island that the military couldn’t be deployed in the absence of a state of Emergency unless called in by a law enforcement officer, holding the rank of SP and above. He said that the identity of the officer who called for the military could be easily established if the government genuinely wanted to inquire into this.

Jayakody stressed that the contingent deployed near the protest wouldn’t have carried wooden poles, unless they received specific instructions from higher authority. The ex-DIG recalled how men armed with clubs had moved out of Temple Trees on the morning of May 09, 2022, to carry out meticulously planned attacks on those demanding the resignation of the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Jayakody emphasised that only two types of batons could be used – the normal baton and the one used by anti-riot squads.Responding to allegations, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that the military had moved in, on a request from the police. He said there shouldn’t be any ambiguity over the circumstances the troops arrived at the scene ahead of the protests.

Both Jayakody and Jagoda said that the Parliament should inquire into the disturbing development. Jagoda said that those rejected by the electorate, but determined to hold onto power, at any cost, were causing further chaos.The Police launched one of fiercest attacks on protesters on March 07, near Royal College and the Colombo University. A security officer at the Colombo University caught up in the tear gas attack died at the National Hospital due to complications.


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Flood warning issued to the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara

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12 hours ago

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2026/09/20

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Due to heavy rainfall received in the upper catchment areas of the Mahaweli River over the past few hours, there is a risk of minor flooding in the low-lying areas surrounding the Mahaweli River within the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara.Residents living in the above mentioned areas and motorists using roads passing through these areas are urged to exercise extreme caution and remain highly vigilant regarding the prevailing situation.

Furthermore, residents living in close proximity to the Mahaweli River in these areas are advised to remain highly alert to the situation and take all necessary precautions to protect themselves from any potential flooding.The relevant disaster management authorities are requested to take all necessary measures in response to this situation.

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Landslide Red Alerts issued to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya

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12 hours ago

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2026/09/20

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The National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has  issued landslide Red Alerts to the districts of Kandy,  Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya effective from 14:00 hrs on 20.09.2026 To 14:00 hrs on 21.09.2026

Accordingly,
LEVEL III [RED] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district,  Dehiowita,  Aranayake,  Deraniyagala,  Mawanella and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Kothmale West, Kotmale East,  Ambagamuwa and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district

LEVEL II [AMBER] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka in the Colombo district, Nagoda, Thawalama and Neluwa in the Galle district, Bulathsinhala, Palindanuwara, Walallawita and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ganga Ihala Korale in the Kandy district, Bulathkohupitiya and Kegalle in the Kegalle district,  Akuressa and Pitabeddara in the Matara district, Thalawakele in the Nuwara Eliya district and Pelmadulla, Ratnapura, Ayagama, Kuruwita and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I [YELLOW] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Niyagama and Baddegama in the Galle district, Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Ingiriya in the Kalutara district, Udapalatha and Yatinuwara in the Kandy district,  Galigamuwa, Warakapola and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle district, Kotapola, Pasgoda and Athuraliya in the Matara district, and  Eheliyagoda, Kalawana and Elapatha in the Ratnapura district.

 

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Development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common goal – PM

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14 hours ago

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2026/09/20

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common, people-oriented objective.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in a discussion held on Friday [September 18] at the Western Province Council Auditorium to review the progress of the development project to rehabilitate Rathmalana Kandawala Road and the drainage system on either side of the road, within the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council limits in the Colombo District.

The project, which commenced on September 10, 2026, is scheduled to be completed before June 30, 2027. Implemented by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA), the project includes the construction of a bridge at a cost of Rs. 64 million, the rehabilitation of the drainage system at a cost of Rs. 930 million, and the rehabilitation of the road at a cost of Rs. 115 million.

The Prime Minister also paid special attention to the progress of the responsibilities assigned to the Western Province Council, the Irrigation Department and the Ratmalana Divisional Secretariat in accordance with decisions taken at the previous committee meeting. Attention was also given to the current status of the plans being carried out by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLRDC), as well as the construction and maintenance activities being undertaken by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA).

Commending the expedite and commendable progress of the project, the Prime Minister particularly appreciated the commitment demonstrated by officials of the relevant government institutions to work in close coordination with one another and in collaboration with the political authority.

The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of taking measures well in advance to control flooding and minimise its impact on Colombo and several other districts in view of the rainy weather that may affect the Western Province during the latter part of this year.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Chairperson of the Ratmalana Divisional Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Chairman of the Roads Sub-Committee of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee Dewananda Suraweera, Mayor of the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Parakum Shantha, Chief Secretary of the Western Province K.G. Pradeep Pushpakumara, along with a number of government officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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