By: Isuru Parakrama

October 22, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s police have taken decisive action ahead of the upcoming Parliamentary Election, removing a staggering 130,000 posters and banners that were illegally displayed in various parts across the country.

This move comes as part of a broader effort to ensure that the election process remains fair and free from violations.

The Police Headquarters confirmed that 18 individuals have been arrested for breaching election laws, with charges ranging from the illegal display of campaign materials to more serious offences such as intimidation and assault.

These arrests underline the authorities’ commitment to maintaining order and upholding the integrity of the electoral process.

In addition to the arrests, the Election Commission has received 401 complaints related to the General Election, further highlighting the widespread concerns surrounding election conduct.

These complaints encompass a range of issues, including potential violations of campaign regulations and concerns about the behaviour of certain candidates and their supporters.

As the election approaches, authorities are intensifying their efforts to clamp down on unlawful activities, with a particular focus on ensuring that campaign materials adhere to legal guidelines.

The removal of posters and banners, which were displayed in violation of these regulations, forms a crucial part of this initiative.

The Police have urged the public to report any further violations of election laws and have promised to take swift action against those who attempt to undermine the democratic process.

October 22, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has firmly denied any connection with recent fraudulent calls requesting additional payments from individuals seeking employment in Israel.

Gamini Senarath Yapa, Additional General Manager of International Affairs at the SLBFE, clarified that those who have already settled the required fees for employment opportunities in Israel are not required to make any further payments.

His statement follows a wave of complaints received by the bureau regarding a caller demanding Rs. 14,700 from job seekers, falsely claiming to be an official representative of the SLBFE.

The fraudulent scheme specifically targeted individuals preparing to work in Israel’s agricultural sector, many of whom had already finalised their financial obligations with the SLBFE.

Yapa confirmed that the message, which asked for a bank transfer of funds, was entirely false and did not originate from any official communication of the bureau. He added that approximately 123 people are set to depart for employment in Israel, and none of them should be making additional payments beyond what has already been settled.

“This individual misrepresented himself as an SLBFE official, asking for money to be transferred into a personal bank account. We want to make it absolutely clear that the bureau does not engage in such practices. The SLBFE operates with complete transparency, and all official financial dealings are handled through proper channels,” Yapa emphasised.

The bureau has urged anyone who receives such fraudulent calls to report the incident immediately through their dedicated hotline, 1989. This hotline is in place to assist the public in verifying any concerns regarding official employment procedures and to prevent job seekers from falling victim to scams.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 22, Colombo (LNW): Concerns have arisen regarding the transparency surrounding the dissemination of sensitive reports related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, according to attorney-at-law Manoj Nanayakkara.

Addressing the issue, Nanayakkara emphasised that these documents are not ordinary reports but involve crucial information concerning the lives of the victims affected by the tragedy.

“The integrity of the committee responsible for investigating the Easter Sunday attacks is now being questioned,” Nanayakkara stated, suggesting that the process by which these reports reached figures like Udaya Gammanpila was highly dubious.

Nanayakkara stressed that the pursuit of truth has always been the central aim, dismissing any exploitation of the victims’ suffering. However, he asserted that certain factions are deliberately obstructing the investigation to prevent the truth from emerging.

He went on to highlight that two significant groups appear to be resisting the full uncovering of facts: those directly responsible for orchestrating the attacks and individuals who have gained personal advantages or privileges in the aftermath.

Nanayakkara added, “This government was elected on the promise of exposing the truth behind the Easter Sunday attacks, and we have no intention of allowing this matter to be reduced to an empty policy statement by future governments.”

The debate surrounding the appointment of Shani Abeysekara also featured prominently in Nanayakkara’s remarks. Some have questioned whether Abeysekara’s reappointment was politically motivated.

However, Nanayakkara firmly defended Abeysekara’s credentials, stating, “Shani has never been involved in political activities during his time in office. He is an exceptional officer who has uncovered numerous serious crimes in this country. His imprisonment for ten months, a result of political vendettas, was unjust. His expertise in crime prevention is undeniable, and using his skills should not be questioned.”

Nanayakkara also expressed disappointment with the police administration’s handling of the situation, particularly the performance of Senior Deputy Inspector General Deshabandu Tennakoon.

“When we met with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), we inquired whether Tennakoon’s achievements were as significant as claimed. However, no clear response was provided. We believe that Tennakoon has left the police administration in disarray,” Nanayakkara concluded.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 22, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly dismissed media claims suggesting that Sri Lanka refrained from backing a joint statement in support of the United Nations Secretary General, following Israel’s decision to designate him “persona non grata.”

In an official statement released on Monday (21), the Ministry clarified that it had formally expressed its intent to be a signatory to the letter supporting the Secretary General.

This was communicated via a Note Verbale, dated October 11, 2024, to the Permanent Mission of Chile in New York, which coordinated the joint letter.

The Ministry reiterated Sri Lanka’s consistent advocacy for the Palestinian cause, emphasising the nation’s long-standing solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Sri Lanka has frequently raised concerns about the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and has consistently backed calls for an immediate ceasefire in international forums.

The statement also underscored the country’s continued support for vital humanitarian efforts in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, particularly through its contributions to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Furthermore, Sri Lanka condemned a recent attack on UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura, South Lebanon, where two Sri Lankan peacekeepers were injured, stressing the importance of safeguarding UN personnel and facilities.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, addressing the diplomatic corps in Colombo on October 14, highlighted the global responsibility to ensure the security of UN staff and the inviolability of UN premises.

He emphasised Sri Lanka’s role as the Chair of the UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices, established in 1968, which monitors human rights issues concerning Palestinians and other Arab populations in the Occupied Territories.

In light of these commitments, Sri Lanka confirmed its full support for the joint letter, defending both the UN Secretary General and the broader UN mandate in the face of recent criticisms.

October 22, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Department of Immigration and Emigration has begun issuing its new ‘P’ series passports, which come with advanced security features and a sleek, updated design.

This marks the replacement of the older ‘N’ series passports, as the stocks of the maroon-coloured travel documents have nearly been depleted.

As of today, approximately 1,100 machine-readable passports were issued under the department’s one-day service. The new ‘P’ series passport, now in a navy blue cover, will be available for those applying through this expedited service.

One of the significant changes in the new passports is the reduction in pages, with the new model containing 48 pages compared to the previous 64. This sleeker design is paired with cutting-edge security features, ensuring greater protection for travellers.

Despite the adjustments, the new documents remain fully compliant with international standards for machine-readable passports.

The production and supply of these new passports are being managed by Thales DIS Finland Oy, a trusted Finnish provider of passports, ID cards, and other official documents.

The Finnish company won the tender to supply 750,000 machine-readable passports to Sri Lanka after the original plan to purchase five million e-passports was temporarily halted by a Court of Appeal ruling, which is expected to be addressed by November 06.

According to Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath, the first batch of 47,500 ‘P’ series passports was scheduled for arrival between 15 and 20 October, whilst a second consignment of 100,000 will follow by the end of November.

The final remaining stock of the older ‘N’ series passports, around 1,200 in total, will be distributed to applicants who had previously requested passports under the regular service, which costs Rs. 10,000.

October 22, Colombo (LNW): The Catholic Church is set to formally denounce recent allegations against two government officials, as revealed in the Presidential Commission’s report on the Easter Sunday attacks, disclosed by former MP Udaya Gammanpila.

An official statement is expected from the Church today (22), addressing both the report and accusations made against Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.

The Archdiocese of Colombo’s Director of Communications, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, confirmed the Church’s position, stating, “We will release an official statement today, outlining our response to the Presidential Commission’s findings and the claims made by Mr. Gammanpila against Cardinal Ranjith.”

Despite the anticipated statement, the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith had already refuted the accusations during a sermon on Sunday, particularly regarding the allegations involving two state officials.

The Cardinal expressed his dismay, highlighting what he perceived as an attempt to distort the facts.

He criticised the actions of certain individuals who had remained silent but had recently begun discussing the Easter Sunday attacks, turning themselves into “overnight heroes.”

“The committee tasked with reviewing the Presidential Commission’s report deliberately implicated two current government officials to mislead the public,” the Cardinal stated during a sermon at Hapugoda.

He voiced frustration over the manipulation of information, which he believes was intended to distract from uncovering the full truth behind the 2019 attacks.

Cardinal Ranjith remains resolute in his pursuit of justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday bombings, stressing that the Church will continue its efforts to discover who supplied arms to the perpetrators and how they were trained in explosives.

“We will not rest until we find out why prior warnings were ignored, and those responsible for fleeing the country after receiving such warnings will be held accountable as well,” he emphasised.

In his remarks, the Cardinal also noted that the victims of the attacks included individuals from diverse religious backgrounds, including Buddhists and Muslims, further underlining the tragedy’s broader impact on Sri Lankan society.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 22, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has announced that certified copies of the Election Expenditure Reports from candidates who participated in the 2024 Presidential Election are now accessible for public inspection.

These documents, submitted by the candidates, political party secretaries, and relevant coordinating voters, have been prepared in compliance with the Election Expenditure Act No. 3 of 2023.

In line with Section 03 of the Act, the reports provide a detailed account of the financial activities undertaken by each candidate during their campaigns, ensuring adherence to spending limits and promoting transparency in the electoral process.

From 24 October 2024, the public will be able to review these reports on weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at specified locations.

By facilitating access to this information, the Election Commission aims to reinforce accountability amongst candidates and political parties, ensuring that all expenditure is in line with the stipulated regulations.