June 12, Colombo (LNW): A high-level meeting took place at the Presidential Secretariat today, bringing together senior representatives of the Sri Lankan government and delegates from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.

The discussion, led by Presidential Secretary Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, aimed to establish a collaborative framework for aligning international expertise with the country’s new development agenda.

The visiting delegation from the Tony Blair Institute arrived in Colombo as part of an ongoing initiative to support nations undergoing economic and institutional transformation. The dialogue focused on gaining a clearer understanding of the strategic priorities of the newly elected administration and exploring avenues for targeted support across key sectors.

During the meeting, particular emphasis was placed on evaluating current initiatives spearheaded by pivotal government entities including the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Export Development Board, and the Board of Investment.

The discussions aimed not only to identify the most pressing policy objectives within these institutions but also to consider how international partners might contribute through financial backing, technical expertise, and institutional support.

As part of a broader programme of engagement, the visiting officials from the Institute expressed their intention to undertake field-level assessments of ongoing government projects. These site visits will enable the team to gather first-hand insights into operational challenges and institutional capacities, with a view to tailoring their assistance to practical needs.

The delegation was led by Jaleel Rashid, Managing Director for the Asia Pacific Advisory Division, accompanied by Anna Aden, who oversees governmental liaison efforts for the region. They were joined by a range of local senior officials, including Senior Additional Secretaries to the President Roshan Gamage and Russel Aponso, who helped facilitate the discussion and outline the broader reform trajectory envisaged by the administration.

Also participating were sectoral heads from the Digital Economy, Agriculture, and Investment portfolios. Among them were B.M.V.S. Basnayake, who directs agricultural technology initiatives; Janaka Geekiyanage, representing the Ministry of Digital Economy; Renuka M. Weerakone, Director General of the Board of Investment; and Mangala Wijesinghe, Chair and CEO of the Export Development Board.

June 12, Colombo (LNW): A former senior officer attached to Colombo’s criminal investigations unit has disclosed that a controversial police shooting incident in late 2023 was carried out under direct instructions from his superior, despite clear legal and ethical concerns.

Appearing before a parliamentary oversight committee on Wednesday, retired Chief Inspector Anselm de Silva recounted the events surrounding a covert police operation that took place at a beachfront hotel in Weligama on December 30, 2023. The inquiry forms part of a wider investigation into the conduct of suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP), Deshabandu Tennakoon.

De Silva, who formerly headed operations at the Colombo Crime Division, stated that he had received verbal instructions from then-Acting Director of the unit, Assistant Superintendent Neville de Silva, to lead a tactical mission against what was described as a suspected gathering of criminal figures at the W15 Hotel.

The operation escalated dramatically when, according to the former officer, police personnel opened fire on the hotel’s signboard and exterior wall. Moments later, the officers were met with return fire from unknown assailants, resulting in one of the team members sustaining a gunshot wound. The situation quickly descended into chaos, prompting an urgent withdrawal.

“I gave the order to retreat immediately,” De Silva told the committee. “There was a terrifying moment when the Special Task Force transport didn’t start—had it failed altogether, more lives could have been lost.”

Significantly, the officer admitted that the official statement submitted after the incident had been deliberately falsified. The fabricated account was allegedly crafted to mislead investigators into believing the team had been targeted by an unknown third party, thereby distancing the operation from police culpability.

This version, he said, was prepared on the advice of ASP Neville de Silva, who suggested that such a narrative would shield them from criminal or disciplinary consequences.

Only after realising that the matter was unlikely to be brushed aside did the former Chief Inspector approach the Criminal Investigation Department with the true sequence of events. Since then, he has been interdicted from service and no longer receives his pension, which he described as a heavy personal cost for following what he now views as a deeply flawed command decision.

“I acknowledge that we followed orders which were unlawful,” he testified. “In this institution, refusing an instruction from above often results in being marginalised or transferred without explanation.”

De Silva went on to reveal further troubling details, including the use of forged vehicle registration plates on the police vehicle used during the raid. At least one of the officers involved has reportedly fled the country.

By: Isuru Parakrama

June 12, Colombo (LNW): The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has issued a strongly worded letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, expressing serious concern over reports of an alleged irregular release of a convicted inmate from Anuradhapura Prison under the guise of a Presidential Pardon.

The incident has triggered widespread unease within legal circles over possible procedural violations and institutional malpractice.

In its letter dated June 11, 2025, the BASL urged the President to take immediate steps to address the issue, highlighting that Article 34 of the Constitution permits the Head of State to grant pardons.

However, the Association stressed that such powers must be exercised in a manner that is “transparent, procedurally sound, and consistent with judicial precedent.”

Referring to the Supreme Court judgement in Hirunika Premachandra v. Attorney General (SC/FR 221/2021), the BASL pointed out that the President’s clemency powers are subject to judicial review, especially when there are indications that due process may have been undermined.

The association noted that the alleged release has raised serious questions over the misuse of administrative authority, breaches in internal controls of the prison system, and a potential breakdown in procedural integrity.

According to the BASL, subsequent clarifications from the Presidential Media Division revealed that no such official pardon had been granted by President Dissanayake, suggesting that the release may have been unauthorised. The letter described these developments as indicative of “serious institutional failings” and warned of potential abuse of power.

“The Rule of Law must prevail without exception,” the BASL stated, urging that there should be no tolerance for arbitrary or unlawful releases that may disregard victims’ rights or judicial decisions.

To address the concerns, the BASL called on the President to launch a “full and impartial investigation” into the matter. It emphasised the need to identify and hold accountable all those involved, including disciplinary or legal action where necessary.

It also urged the strengthening of transparency and accountability within the Department of Prisons, particularly through institutional reforms.

June 12, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is currently undertaking an official tour of the Federal Republic of Germany, was received with full state honours at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, where he met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The ceremonial welcome, held at the historic presidential residence, marked the commencement of a day of diplomatic engagement between the two heads of state.

Following the formalities, President Dissanayake and President Steinmeier entered into in-depth discussions aimed at fortifying the cordial ties that have existed between Sri Lanka and Germany for decades.

The dialogue reportedly covered a broad spectrum of areas, with a pronounced emphasis on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the economic sphere, expanding avenues for international collaboration, and cultivating closer ties in education and tourism.

Of particular note was a mutual interest in deepening cooperation in vocational training programmes—an area seen as pivotal for both nations in terms of skill development and employment generation.

President Dissanayake, who departed from Colombo earlier this week, landed at Berlin Brandenburg International Airport earlier in the day, commencing what is expected to be a series of high-level engagements with German political and business leaders.

He is accompanied by a high-ranking delegation, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijith Herath, as well as other senior officials from the Sri Lankan government.

June 12, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (12).

Heavy falls above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts.

Several spells of showers may occur in the Northern province and in Anuradhapura district.
Strong winds of about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Marine Weather:

Condition of Rain:
Showers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle.

Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly.

wind speed will be (35-45) kmph and can increase up to (60-70) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota.

Wind speed will be (30-40) kmph in the other sea areas around the island.
Wind speed can increase up to (50-55) kmph at times in the sea areas extending from Chilaw to Galle via Colombo and from Kankasanthurai to Trincomalee via Mullaittivu.

State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambanthota will be very rough at times. Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into these sea areas, until further notice.
The sea areas extending from Chilaw to Galle via Colombo and from Kankasanthurai to Trincomalee via Mullaittivu will be rough at times.

The wave height may increase (about 2.5 – 3.0 m) in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Puttalam, Colombo, Galle and Hambantota (this is not for land area).

Naval and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant in this regard.

Temporarily strong wind gust and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.

Tensions remain high in Los Angeles after several days of violent protests sparked by aggressive immigration raids conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in predominantly Latino neighborhoods. The unrest has resulted in dozens of arrests, widespread disruption, and a controversial military deployment ordered by President Donald Trump.

Protests Sparked by Federal Raids

Demonstrations began on Friday after reports emerged that ICE had arrested over 100 undocumented immigrants in coordinated operations across the city. A major operation in the Westlake district and another in the heavily Hispanic suburb of Paramount drew particular outrage. ICE confirmed that 44 people were arrested at a job site and an additional 77 in wider LA operations. Rumors of a raid at a Home Depot in Paramount were later denied by officials, though the store became a protest flashpoint.

Violence Erupts Across the City

While initial demonstrations were peaceful, the situation escalated dramatically over the weekend. Protesters shut down the 101 Freeway, set self-driving cars ablaze, and clashed with police outside key federal buildings. Downtown LA was declared an “unlawful assembly” zone after police accused protesters of throwing incendiary devices. Officers in riot gear responded with flash-bang grenades and pepper spray.

The federal building in downtown LA, reportedly holding ICE detainees, became a central protest site. On Saturday, ICE claimed more than 1,000 demonstrators surrounded and attacked the building.

In Paramount, National Guard troops were deployed to protect businesses, and tear gas was used to disperse crowds. Police reported 29 arrests on Saturday and 27 more on Sunday.

Military Deployment Raises Legal and Political Questions

President Trump initially deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles on Saturday, bypassing California’s state leadership. On Monday, he ordered an additional 2,000 troops and 700 marines to the city, citing “rebellion” under a rarely invoked federal statute.

This marks the first time since 1965 that the National Guard has been deployed to California without the governor’s consent. Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass condemned the move, calling it unconstitutional and inflammatory. The state has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing the deployment violates the 10th Amendment, which protects states’ rights.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the military presence an “inflammatory escalation unsupported by conditions on the ground.”

Federal Forces Supporting ICE, DHS Operations

The National Guard has been tasked with securing federal agents from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), but not with conducting immigration enforcement or routine policing. The LAPD remains responsible for law enforcement in the city.

Despite threats, Trump has not invoked the Insurrection Act, which would allow federal troops to engage in civilian law enforcement — a move he considered during the 2020 racial justice protests.

Controversial Deportation Drive Expands

The recent raids are part of Trump’s broader push to launch what he has called the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. Los Angeles, home to millions of immigrants, has been a major focus. In May, ICE reported the arrest of 239 undocumented migrants during a week-long operation in the city.

Critics say the campaign has gone too far, citing cases of legal residents being detained and deported. The White House has since raised its target to 3,000 ICE arrests per day nationwide.

Public Divided on Trump’s Immigration Policy

Despite the unrest, a CBS News/YouGov poll conducted in early June showed 54% of Americans approve of Trump’s immigration policy, while only 39% support his approach to inflation and 42% approve of his economic plan.

Life Continues in Parts of the City

While protests have roiled parts of downtown, other neighborhoods have remained largely calm. The annual LA Pride parade went ahead as scheduled in closed-off areas, offering a stark contrast to the unrest just miles away.

Mayor Bass reassured the public, saying: “We stand with all Angelenos, no matter where you were born.”