News
Zacky no more
Today we with much regret bring to our readers the sad news of the demise of our long time colleague Zacky Jabbar (60). He died at home at Kumaragewatte, Pelawatte, where he had lived alone since the death of his mother. All that we have pieced together is that he last checked the Whats-app on the night of August 19, but since he lived a bohemian life like so many journalists, his body was discovered by his elder brother Zalman only on Wednesday.
It had not been unusual for Zacky to travel around, especially to places like the Maldives and be absent from office for days on end especially since he reached the retirement age of 55. But when he failed to turn up for some time we made discreet inquiries from his acquaintances and colleagues. We did not want it to be a megaphone search as Zacky guarded his private life. We finally managed to contact his brother Zalman, on Wednesday, to learn that even he and his sister, too, had been puzzled by Zacky’s absence from a family wedding last weekend.
Zacky entered the field of journalism in 1985 by joining the now defunct Sun newspaper after having worked at Browns. He joined The Island in the mid-80s and ever since had been a hard working member of our team. He specialised in covering the political round with very close contacts in the UNP and the previous government. He certainly was not a clock watcher; he was usually one of the last to leave office on any given working day.
Kaduwela Acting Magistrate ordered Zacky’s body to be released to Zalman for burial yesterday at the Muslim cemetery at Battaramulla. The magisterial order was given following the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) Dr. Sameera Gunaratne’s decision not to issue a death certificate as the cause of the death couldn’t be determined. The Magistrate said that the body had been found by Zalman on Sept 09 at Zacky’s home (No 1084/J Peiris Mawatha, Kumaragewatte)
A meeting between UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche and Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi was held on Monday (07) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Particular attention was given to the Government’s programme to resettle people who lost their homes due to Cyclone Ditwah.
The Government’s programme to address potential disasters that may arise in the future amid El Nino conditions was also discussed. The Chief of Staff to the President briefed the UN Resident Coordinator on the Government’s preparedness and plans to address such challenges.
Mr Franche stated that the United Nations was prepared to provide the necessary assistance to the Government to support the successful implementation of these programmes.
Partnerships and Development Finance Specialist at the United Nations Azam Bakeer Markar and UN Sri Lanka Humanitarian and Resilience Officer Wagisha Perera also participated in the discussion.
[President’s Media Division]
[ Cricbuzz]
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.
INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.
The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.
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