June 08, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lankan authorities have launched a deeper investigation into the circumstances surrounding the release of several inmates under a Presidential pardon granted during the recent Vesak celebrations, after signs emerged that the process may have been mishandled.

The Police Media Division confirmed that a formal statement has been obtained from the Commissioner General of Prisons, as questions grow over whether the release of certain prisoners adhered to the established legal protocols.

Initial findings suggest that not all individuals released were included in the official list authorised by the Presidential Secretariat. The controversy intensified following the emergence of a specific case involving W. M. Athula Tilakaratne, a former branch manager of a finance firm in Anuradhapura, who had been convicted of misappropriating Rs. 4 million.

His release triggered immediate scrutiny, as records show his name did not appear on the final list of 388 inmates approved for a Presidential pardon.

In a strongly worded statement issued yesterday, the Presidential Secretariat distanced itself from the decision, asserting that Tilakaratne was not amongst those sanctioned by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for release on May 06, 2025.

Under Article 34(1) of the Constitution, the power to grant pardons lies with the President, but this authority is exercised only after a detailed, multi-step review. The procedure requires that prison officials propose eligible inmates, after which the Ministry of Justice examines the recommendations before passing them on to the Presidential Secretariat for final vetting and approval.

June 08, Colombo (LNW): A pharmacy proprietor in the Kawdana area of Dehiwala has been convicted for offering expired medicinal products for sale, following a raid carried out earlier this year.

The Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court, upon hearing the case on 30 May, imposed a six-month prison sentence—suspended for a period of 10 years—and ordered the individual to pay a fine of Rs. 10,000.

The matter came to light during an inspection conducted by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) on 7 February 2025, as part of an ongoing national initiative to crack down on unsafe consumer goods, particularly in the health sector.

The discovery of the expired pharmaceuticals triggered a formal investigation, leading to legal action against the businessman.

The accused admitted to the charge in court, prompting swift sentencing. The suspended nature of the custodial sentence indicates that whilst the offence was deemed serious, the court took into account factors such as the plea and possibly the absence of prior convictions.

Authorities have reiterated the dangers associated with the sale of expired medicines, warning that such practices not only compromise public health but also erode trust in essential healthcare services. The CAA has confirmed that inspections will continue across the country, with a particular focus on pharmacies and medical outlets.

Members of the public are being encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to medicine sales to the relevant authorities.

June 08, Colombo (LNW): As Sri Lanka prepares to mark the Poson Poya festival, a major religious observance that draws tens of thousands of pilgrims to the ancient city of Anuradhapura, authorities have launched a large-scale security and public safety operation to ensure a smooth and respectful celebration.

Over 3,500 police officers have been dispatched to key pilgrimage zones including Anuradhapura, Mihintale, and the revered Atamasthanaya, where large crowds are expected to gather for religious rituals, almsgiving, and night-long observances starting 9 June.

The police presence has been reinforced not only to provide general security but also to regulate traffic, assist pilgrims, and prevent accidents and theft. Special attention is being given to crowd management at major junctions and sacred sites where congestion typically peaks during the Poson season.

Officers will also be working alongside local authorities and volunteers to guide visitors and respond swiftly to any emergencies that may arise. In addition to physical security, law enforcement is actively promoting environmental consciousness during the festivities.

Devotees have been strongly encouraged to avoid bringing plastic and polythene to the sacred sites, in line with broader efforts to protect the ecological and spiritual atmosphere of the historic surroundings.

The public has also been urged to remain vigilant with their personal belongings and to act with care and consideration, particularly in crowded areas where the risk of petty theft may increase.

A police spokesperson appealed to the public to maintain decorum and reverence throughout the religious sites, reminding attendees that these locations are of immense spiritual importance to Buddhists across the island.

Visitors are being asked to fully cooperate with officers and to follow guidance offered during the festival to ensure a safe and meaningful experience for all.

June 08, Colombo (LNW): International human rights watchdog Amnesty International has called on Sri Lankan authorities to guarantee that the ongoing excavation of a suspected mass grave in Jaffna adheres to global standards, as investigators have so far uncovered 19 human skeletons at the site.

The excavation, taking place in Siththuppaththi near Chemmani, marks a significant and deeply sensitive development in the country’s attempts to confront its past, particularly allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during the final years of Sri Lanka’s civil war.

Local journalist Kumanan Kanapathippillai reported that the forensic team, led by the Judicial Medical Officer overseeing the investigation, has requested an additional 45 days to continue work.

The court, in response, has instructed the official to present a detailed cost estimate for the upcoming phase of the excavation process.

The pit test excavation work carried out over the past 09 days in the Chemmani Siththuppaththi area is coming to an end today.

A total of 19 human skeletons have been identified and recovered during the excavation so far.

Yesterday, the Judicial Medical Officer requested a… pic.twitter.com/1djOTMY3d6

— Kumanan (@kumanan93) June 7, 2025

In parallel to the current dig, other areas of concern in the surrounding terrain — flagged via satellite imagery by Professor Raj Somadeva — have been surveyed using drones. The footage collected has been handed over to Professor Somadeva for further analysis, potentially broadening the scope of the investigation.

The next phase of the excavation is due to commence on June 26, amid growing calls for accountability and clarity in how the process is managed.

Amnesty, in a public statement, emphasised three urgent requirements: first, that authorities allocate the necessary financial and technical resources to ensure a thorough investigation; second, that access be provided to families of the disappeared as well as the media to promote openness; and third, that strict measures be taken to preserve the integrity of the excavation site.

The discovery at Siththuppaththi is reminiscent of earlier controversies surrounding the original Chemmani mass grave, where hundreds of alleged wartime disappearances were said to be linked to military activity.

Human rights advocates have long criticised delays and shortcomings in past investigations, warning that justice is often undermined by a lack of political will or institutional independence.

June 08, Colombo (LNW): A recent review by a parliamentary oversight body has drawn attention to a troubling pattern in railway safety, revealing that a significant number of level crossing accidents are occurring at sites already equipped with protective systems.

The revelation came during a session of the Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA), where senior officials from the Railway Department were called to provide updates and respond to queries about ongoing safety issues and operational developments.

During the proceedings, Member of Parliament Chandana Sooriyaarachchi raised specific concerns about recurring accidents at railway crossings. In response, the General Manager of Railways, Dhammika Jayasundara, acknowledged that Sri Lanka still has around 1,200 railway crossings lacking adequate safety measures.

Despite many sites being fitted with warning systems or barriers, he admitted that the majority of incidents continue to take place at these supposedly safeguarded locations — a matter that raises questions about either public adherence to rules or the effectiveness of the safety infrastructure itself.

The discussion also turned to upgrades within the national rail service. K.K. Hewavithana, the Additional General Manager of the Mechanical Division, shared that approval had been secured for the acquisition of five new train sets. These will consist entirely of air-conditioned third-class carriages, marking a shift towards improving comfort and consistency in basic-tier rail travel.

He added that the move is part of a broader effort to modernise the railway’s ageing fleet and improve the experience for everyday commuters, particularly those who rely on long-distance services in often challenging travel conditions.

However, even as improvements in rolling stock are on the horizon, safety remains a pressing concern. Members of the committee urged the Railway Department to adopt more robust strategies to address the persistent dangers at level crossings, especially given that many incidents seem to occur despite existing preventive systems.

June 08, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways, Prasanna Gunasena, has underscored the enduring bond between Sri Lanka and China, describing the relationship as one of deep mutual respect and longstanding goodwill.

His remarks were made during a visit to a major infrastructure development currently underway in Colombo.

Accompanied by senior officials including Road Development Authority Director General K.W. Kandambi and delegates from the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the Deputy Minister toured the site of the Port Access Elevated Highway — a signature project in the capital’s transport transformation plan.

Spanning over 5 kilometres, the elevated expressway is poised to become the nation’s longest bridge. Designed with a dual carriageway and four-lane system, the structure is being constructed using sophisticated segmental box girder techniques, representing a leap in engineering standards for the country.

Speaking to Chinese state media during the visit, Gunasena praised China’s continuous involvement in Sri Lanka’s development journey. He noted that China has played a crucial role in funding and implementing large-scale infrastructure projects over the years, contributing significantly to the island’s economic and logistical capacity.

“We see China not merely as a development partner but as a long-standing friend. It is our hope that this relationship continues to thrive for generations to come,” he remarked.

The Deputy Minister emphasised the economic potential of the highway, which will streamline transport links between Colombo Port and the city centre. Once completed, the route is expected to ease congestion, improve logistics, and support broader economic activities tied to trade and transport.

“This project is more than just concrete and steel — it represents an investment in the future of our economy and the daily lives of our citizens,” Gunasena stated, adding that its completion is anticipated to bring tangible benefits to both the business sector and the general public.

The Port Access Elevated Highway, now in its final stages, marks yet another chapter in Sri Lanka’s collaborative efforts with international partners, particularly China, in shaping a modern, connected infrastructure network across the island nation.

June 08, Colombo (LNW): In celebration of the upcoming Poson festival, Sri Lanka’s railway authorities have arranged an extensive schedule of complimentary train services to support the thousands of devotees expected to travel to sacred sites in the north-central region.

Beginning on June 09 and continuing until June 12, a total of 56 special trains will be in operation, easing access to key religious destinations. Of these, 20 services will run between Colombo Fort and Anuradhapura, whilst 36 will connect Anuradhapura to Mihintale, a location of deep spiritual significance during the Poson season.

In addition to the transport arrangements, Sri Lanka Railways has also made efforts to improve the experience for travellers upon arrival. Enhanced accommodation facilities have been set up at multiple locations in Anuradhapura, including temporary rest areas within and around the railway station.

These facilities aim to provide a measure of comfort for pilgrims who may be travelling long distances and spending extended periods in the city.

General Manager of Railways, Dhammika Jayasundara, expressed his appreciation for the private sector’s involvement, noting that such collaborations are instrumental in supporting national religious and cultural events. The department, he said, remains committed to facilitating a smooth and respectful pilgrimage for all participants during this spiritually significant time.

June 08, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Education has introduced a comprehensive directive aimed at curbing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue and Chikungunya, across educational institutions throughout the country.

In a move to bolster previous efforts, the Ministry has outlined a new set of guidelines that supplements earlier circulars issued in 2010 and 2017. The latest instructions emphasise the urgent need for schools to adopt proactive measures to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites, both within and surrounding school premises.

Educational institutions are now required to formulate and carry out dedicated action plans to maintain a hygienic, mosquito-free environment. These programmes must be designed in a manner that does not disrupt the normal academic timetable or interfere with the delivery of education.

Heads of all state-run and recognised private schools, as well as administrators of religious learning centres such as ‘Pirivens’, Deans of National Colleges of Education, and officials at provincial education departments, have been formally notified of the new directive.

The Ministry has also issued a stern warning: during periodic inspections, any discovery of mosquito breeding sites on school grounds may result in legal proceedings against the principal or head of the institution.

This firm stance is intended to underscore the seriousness of the public health risk posed by these illnesses, which continue to affect communities nationwide.