February 06, Colombo (LNW): Ahimsa Wickrematunge, the daughter of the late journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, has demanded the impeachment of Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, accusing him of serious misconduct and dereliction of duty in relation to the ongoing criminal case surrounding her father’s assassination.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Wickrematunge raised significant concerns over the Attorney General’s recent decision to release three key suspects implicated in the murder.

She condemned Ranasinghe’s handling of the case, describing it as a stark example of neglect and abuse of power within the legal system.

Wickrematunge pointed out that between 2015 and 2019, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had meticulously gathered critical evidence, including the discovery of her father’s field notebook, which was essential in linking suspects to the crime.

Despite this, she claims that the Attorney General’s office failed to act on this vital evidence and allowed key witnesses to be dismissed without due consideration.

In her letter, she also alleged that Ranasinghe had fostered an atmosphere of indifference and incompetence within his department, undermining the efforts of the CID and ultimately jeopardising the pursuit of justice for her father’s murder.

Lasantha Wickrematunge was assassinated in a brazen daylight attack on January 8, 2009, near the high-security Ratmalana Air Force Base, and despite the attack taking place in a heavily monitored area, the identity of the perpetrators remains unknown.

The case lay dormant until the CID took over the investigation in 2015. During their inquiry, substantial evidence was uncovered, including the crucial field notebook belonging to Lasantha Wickrematunge, which contained significant leads.

However, it was revealed that Inspector Tissa Sugathapala, the officer initially in charge of the investigation, was allegedly instructed by Deputy Inspector General of Police Prasanna Nanayakkara to destroy this evidence, complicating the search for truth even further.

Ahimsa Wickrematunge has now accused Attorney General Ranasinghe of gross negligence if he was unaware of these developments, or gross abuse of power if he was aware and took no action. In either case, she argues that Ranasinghe is unfit to continue in his role.

The call for Ranasinghe’s impeachment has sparked further outrage, with Wickrematunge urging the government to take immediate steps to hold the Attorney General accountable for his actions.

She emphasised that, as the chief legal officer of the country, the Attorney General is not only accountable to the President but to Parliament and, most importantly, to the people of Sri Lanka.

Wickrematunge’s request for Ranasinghe’s impeachment highlights the deep frustration and growing distrust surrounding the handling of her father’s murder case, and the wider concerns regarding press freedom and the integrity of the justice system in Sri Lanka.

February 06, Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court has set a date for the hearing of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Fundamental Rights (FR) petition, challenging the government’s decision to cut back on his security detail. The case will be heard on March 19.

Rajapaksa filed the petition in response to the government’s move to reduce his security, claiming that the action was taken without a thorough and comprehensive security assessment.

The petition names Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, the Cabinet of Ministers, and several others as respondents, seeking judicial intervention to reinstate his previous security arrangements.

In his petition, Rajapaksa asserts that he continues to face significant threats to his safety, particularly due to his pivotal role in bringing an end to the decades-long civil conflict with the Tamil Tigers (LTTE).

He argues that, despite no longer holding office, the nature of these ongoing risks warrants a heightened security presence around him.

This petition comes in the wake of a controversial decision last December, when the security detail for former presidents was scaled down to a total of 60 personnel following a review conducted by the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP).

As part of this change, 116 police officers who had previously been assigned to Rajapaksa’s personal security were reassigned to other duties, a move that raised concerns about his safety among some political and public circles.

February 06, Colombo (LNW): In a troubling update presented in Parliament on February 6, Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi revealed that Sri Lanka has witnessed a staggering 3,477 wild elephant fatalities over the past nine years, a direct consequence of the ongoing human-elephant conflict in the country.

This alarming figure underscores the severity of the issue that continues to threaten both the nation’s elephant population and the lives of its citizens.

The Minister’s report showed that from 2015 to 2019, 1,466 elephants lost their lives, but the situation worsened in recent years, with the number of fatalities increasing to 2,011 between 2020 and 2024.

This escalation highlights the growing challenges of managing the delicate balance between conservation efforts and the protection of human lives.

Equally concerning, the human cost of the conflict has also been substantial, with 1,190 fatalities recorded due to wild elephant attacks over the same period.

Of these, 456 people were killed between 2015 and 2019, while the number surged to 734 fatalities from 2020 to 2024, further compounding the crisis.

In response to a question raised by Member of Parliament Kins Nelson, Dr. Patabendi acknowledged the multifaceted nature of the issue, stressing that finding a resolution would require time and considerable effort.

He noted that the Department of Wildlife Conservation is grappling with numerous challenges in its attempts to mitigate the conflict, with the need for a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to wildlife management.

Minister Patabendi assured the public that addressing this crisis would be a priority in the upcoming national budget, with additional funding being earmarked for efforts aimed at curbing the conflict.

He further emphasised that innovative solutions, such as new research initiatives and stronger collaborations with relevant institutions, would be crucial in developing effective strategies to protect both human and wildlife populations.

February 06, Colombo (LNW): Cybersecurity experts are raising alarm over a significant increase in fraudulent job advertisements that are using the logos of reputable government institutions to deceive the public.

These scams, primarily spread through social media platforms, are designed to lure unsuspecting individuals into sharing sensitive personal information.

Charuka Damunupola, a Senior Information Security Engineer at the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Team (SLCERT), disclosed that numerous cases have been reported recently, where scammers have exploited the trust associated with official government branding to create fake job postings.

These advertisements often appear legitimate at first glance, making it difficult for job seekers to differentiate between authentic and fraudulent offers.

In response to these growing threats, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has issued a public warning about a specific fraudulent advertisement that is circulating online, falsely claiming to offer job opportunities under its name.

The CBSL has clarified that the advertisement is entirely fabricated and has urged the public to remain vigilant, as such scams could result in personal data theft and financial loss.

In addition, similar scams have been reported involving fake job ads using the logo of SriLankan Airlines, further highlighting the prevalence of this type of cyber fraud.

These fraudulent advertisements are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it harder for individuals to discern their authenticity.

Damunupola further cautioned that responding to these deceptive job offers could lead to identity theft. Scammers often create fake websites that request sensitive documents such as national identity cards, passports, and birth certificates.

By submitting personal data to these unverified platforms, individuals expose themselves to the risk of having their information stolen or misused.

Authorities are advising the public to exercise caution and verify job postings directly through official government or corporate websites.

They also recommend avoiding engagement with suspicious or unsolicited advertisements to safeguard personal information and protect against potential scams.

February 06, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has reached out to the World Bank to obtain a concessional loan of US$ 100 million aiming climate-smart agriculture initiatives aimed at promoting integrated rural-urban development and enhancing climate resilience.

This project, backed by technical support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is set to make significant strides in improving the country’s agricultural sector, contributing to both local and global sustainability efforts.

The “Integrated Village Development and Climate Resilience Project” is designed to address multiple challenges within Sri Lanka’s agricultural landscape.

The initiative focuses on improving productivity across various agricultural sectors, including food crops, plantation crops, livestock, and fisheries.

This is considered as part of the government’s strategy to promote sustainable agricultural practices and increase resilience to climate change.

A key feature of the project will be the implementation of climate-smart agriculture techniques. These practices are designed to minimise the environmental impact of farming while maximising productivity.

The project will also focus on the diversification of crops and farming systems to reduce dependence on single crops and improve food security.

In addition to agricultural enhancements, the project will address crucial water resource management issues. Effective water usage and management strategies will be implemented to ensure a sustainable water supply for irrigation, livestock, and other agricultural activities.

The project will also provide extensive capacity building and training, ensuring that farmers are well-equipped to adopt new, more efficient farming techniques.

The initiative will also involve the development of essential infrastructure, including irrigation systems, rural roads, and market facilities, which will contribute to improved access for farmers and increase their competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.

Furthermore, the project will work towards improving the economic sustainability of the agricultural sector by ensuring that it remains competitive and resilient in the face of global market shifts and climate-related challenges.

February 06, Colombo (LNW): US President Donald Trump’s decision to place all direct personnel of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on administrative leave worldwide as of February 07, 2025 has sparked significant concerns regarding the future of humanitarian aid initiatives, with experts fearing a disruption in vital global support efforts.

In response to this development, Sri Lanka’s Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, reassured the public that the government would continue to support USAID-funded projects within the country, with alternative funding sources being explored.

Speaking at the Cabinet press conference, Dr. Jayatissa addressed questions raised by the media, expressing that the government would adapt to the situation if foreign aid was withdrawn.

“If this were a decision made by our own government, I could have given a different response. Let’s see how this plays out for us. Should they cease funding, we will find other ways to sustain these essential projects,” the Minister said.

Jayatissa further emphasised that Sri Lanka does not solely rely on USAID funds, acknowledging that whilst such aid is appreciated, the country’s development will not be halted if this support is withdrawn. “If USAID can offer us funding, we welcome it. If not, we will continue these projects using resources from alternative sources,” he assured.

USAID, established in 1961, has been a significant player in global humanitarian assistance, providing aid for issues ranging from health and education to trade and human rights.

However, the agency has faced mounting scrutiny under President Donald Trump’s administration.

On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order freezing foreign aid for 90 days, arguing that such spending does not offer good value for American taxpayers.

In line with his administration’s criticism of overseas funding, U.S. officials have confirmed that USAID will be merged with the State Department, leading to substantial workforce reductions. Despite these changes, the agency is set to maintain its humanitarian role.

As part of the restructuring, USAID announced that, effective February 07, 2025, all direct hire personnel would be placed on administrative leave, except for key staff involved in mission-critical roles, core leadership, and specially designated programmes.

The agency also stated that it is working with the State Department to arrange for the return of USAID employees stationed abroad within the next 30 days.

USAID currently employs over 10,000 people, with two-thirds of them deployed internationally. In the fiscal year 2023, the U.S. government disbursed US$ 72 billion in foreign aid, with USAID funds directed towards causes such as women’s health in conflict zones, clean water access, HIV/AIDS treatments, energy security, and anti-corruption efforts.

Over the years, USAID has invested billions of dollars into Sri Lanka’s agriculture, health, education, business development, trade, and governance sectors. The suspension of personnel and potential cuts to operations, however, will undoubtedly have a significant impact on these ongoing projects, particularly as Sri Lanka has relied heavily on USAID’s contributions for critical development work.

Whilst the suspension of USAID staff creates uncertainty, Sri Lanka is now exploring alternative funding mechanisms to ensure that the progress made in key sectors continues uninterrupted.