By: Ovindi Vishmika
July 30, Colombo (LNW): In a dramatic turn of events, Sri Lanka’s security and law enforcement agencies have been shaken by the arrest of two prominent figures,former Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Admiral (Retd.) Nishantha Ulugetenne, and former Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Priyantha Jayakody. These high-profile arrests have sent shockwaves through the political and law enforcement circles, revealing the complex and often murky relationship between powerful officials, the military, and the police in the island nation.
Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne: Arrested Over Wartime Disappearance
On July 27, 2025, Admiral (Retd.) Nishantha Ulugetenne, a decorated military officer who had served as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy from 2020 to 2022, was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in connection with a wartime disappearance that occurred during his tenure as the head of naval intelligence.
Ulugetenne, who played a pivotal role in the Sri Lankan Navy’s operations during the final years of the civil war, was taken into custody after an investigation into the alleged disappearance of an individual in the Pothuhera Police area. While the details of the case remain under wraps, police spokesperson ASP F.U. Wootle stated that more information would be provided once the CID Director was briefed. As of now, Ulugetenne has been remanded until July 30 by the Polgahawela Magistrate’s Court.
The arrest is particularly significant, as Ulugetenne had not previously been investigated in connection with the allegations of wartime atrocities, despite the fact that several senior military officers have been probed for their roles during the civil war. As head of naval intelligence, Ulugetenne was heavily involved in the planning of operations that targeted the LTTE’s floating warehouses, a campaign that was backed by both local and US intelligence agencies. This arrest marks a critical moment in Sri Lanka’s ongoing investigation into war-era abuses.
Moreover, Ulugetenne’s arrest is the first high-profile case to be made since the rise of the National People’s Power (NPP) government in 2024. Ulugetenne’s connection to former Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda and his tenure under the presidency of Gotabaya Rajapaksa raise questions about the ongoing political dynamics surrounding these investigations, with some speculating that the arrest could be politically motivated.
Ulugetenne’s subsequent appointment as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Cuba in 2024 under the presidency of Ranil Wickremesinghe further highlights the complex intersection of military, political, and diplomatic affairs in Sri Lanka. The arrest has raised more questions than answers, with many waiting to see how this investigation unfolds.
Priyantha Jayakody: Allegations of False Complaints and Underworld Connections
Simultaneously, former SDIG Priyantha Jayakody found himself in the spotlight after being arrested in connection with a separate, yet equally alarming, case. Jayakody, who served in the police force for decades, was taken into custody on July 28, 2025, after the CID uncovered that he had allegedly orchestrated a false complaint claiming he had received death threats from a notorious underworld figure, ‘Kehelbaddara Padme.’
The investigation revealed that Jayakody’s actions were not just an isolated incident but part of a broader attempt to protect his personal safety by fabricating a connection to underworld figures. This revelation came to light after the arrest of a suspect, who allegedly pretended to be ‘Kehelbaddara Padme,’ and falsely threatened former Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and Senior Deputy Inspector General Lalith Pathinayake at Jayakody’s request.
The man behind the threats, arrested by the CID, had claimed to be an overseas underworld figure, and during interrogations, it was revealed that Jayakody had facilitated these threats in an effort to create a façade of danger. Both Minister Alles and SDIG Pathinayake had filed complaints claiming to have been targeted by the fabricated threats.
Jayakody, who is currently receiving medical treatment at a private hospital in Ragama, was presented before the Mahara Magistrate’s Court on July 29 and remanded until August 6, 2025. His arrest has triggered a series of questions about the abuse of power within Sri Lanka’s police force, particularly the potential for senior officers to manipulate the system for personal gain. The investigation continues, and authorities are probing whether other officials were involved in the orchestration of these false claims.
A Pattern of Corruption and Power Abuse?
The arrests of Ulugetenne and Jayakody come at a time when Sri Lanka is still grappling with the fallout of the 2019 Easter bombings, the collapse of the Rajapaksa government, and ongoing efforts to bring transparency and accountability to the country’s security institutions. Both individuals were once seen as powerful figures within their respective fields, with Ulugetenne commanding the Navy during a critical period of Sri Lanka’s military history and Jayakody holding one of the highest-ranking positions in the Sri Lanka Police Service.
Their arrests have reignited public concerns over systemic corruption and abuse of power within Sri Lanka’s military and law enforcement agencies, particularly in relation to the misuse of state resources and the alleged involvement of high-ranking officials in criminal activities. In Ulugetenne’s case, the wartime disappearances are a particularly sensitive topic, as Sri Lanka continues to face international scrutiny for alleged human rights violations during its brutal civil war against the Tamil Tigers (LTTE). Meanwhile, Jayakody’s case underscores the ongoing problems with underworld connections within the police force, as well as the ease with which some individuals have manipulated the system for personal protection or advantage.
While both arrests signal a step toward accountability, they also highlight the deep-rooted issues within Sri Lanka’s security apparatus. As investigations continue, the country’s citizens, political analysts, and human rights organizations will be closely monitoring these developments, hoping for meaningful reform in a system that has long been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability.
Unraveling the Past, Rebuilding the Future
The high-profile arrests of Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne and former SDIG Priyantha Jayakody reflect the broader challenges Sri Lanka faces as it attempts to address its troubled past and rebuild its institutions. Whether these cases represent a genuine move toward greater accountability or are merely a political maneuver remains to be seen. Regardless, they underscore the need for a thorough and impartial investigation into the practices that have plagued Sri Lanka’s military and law enforcement sectors for decades.
In the coming weeks, as these investigations unfold, the people of Sri Lanka will undoubtedly be watching closely, hoping that the truth will emerge and that the path toward a more transparent and accountable future will be paved.
