By: Ovindi Vishmika

March 20, Colombo (LNW): Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has been further remanded by the Matara Magistrate’s Court until April 3, 2025.

This decision follows his surrender to the court on March 19, after nearly 20 days of evading arrest.

Tennakoon is implicated in a shooting incident near the W15 Hotel in Weligama on December 31, 2023, which resulted in the death of a Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) officer and injuries to another.

Tennakoon’s lawyers requested bail, but the Attorney General strongly opposed it, labeling him a “notorious organized criminal”.

He is currently being held at Angunakolapelessa Prison under heavy security. The case continues to unfold with further hearings scheduled.

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By: Ovindi Vishmika

March 20, Colombo (LNW): Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon is set to appear before the Matara Magistrate’s Court today, where a crucial decision on his bail application is expected at 2:00 p.m. Tennakoon has been in remand custody, since yesterday.

Tennakoon’s surrender to the court followed a period of evading arrest for 20 days, after an arrest warrant was issued in connection with a shooting incident that occurred near a hotel in Weligama, back in 2023.

According to court orders, Tennakoon was transferred to Angunakolapelessa Prison under heightened security measures on last afternoon (19), as reported by the prison sources.

The Matara Magistrate’s Court had previously ordered the arrest of eight former officers of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), including Tennakoon, in connection with the mentioned shooting incident occurred in front of the W15 Hotel in the Pelena area of Weligama, Matara, on December 31, 2023.

Further, the CID was instructed to arrest and present the eight individuals, including Tennakoon, before the court. Prior to his surrender, the Court of Appeal dismissed a writ petition filed by Tennakoon, where he sought an interim injunction to prevent his arrest.

However, it is reported that the court’s decision today is highly anticipated, as it will determine whether Tennakoon will be granted bail while investigations continue.

March 20, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has officially confirmed that Sri Lanka’s highly anticipated Local Government (LG) Elections will take place on May 06.

This announcement was made during a special press conference held earlier today, marking a significant milestone in the electoral process.

The final day for accepting nominations for the elections was today, with the cut-off time set for 12:00 noon.

Following this, no further nominations will be accepted. The nomination process, which commenced on March 17, saw candidates vying for positions in 336 Local Government institutions across the country.

With the conclusion of the nomination period, the Election Commission has now been able to officially confirm the date of the elections, providing much-needed clarity for voters and candidates alike.

Furthermore, the deadline for submitting deposits for the LG Elections wrapped up yesterday (19), as part of the final stages of preparation.

Earlier in the process, the Election Commission had extended several critical deadlines, including those for nomination submissions and deposit placements, in response to various logistical concerns.

However, with the nomination phase now complete, the path is clear for the election to proceed as scheduled.

March 20, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo High Court has firmly rejected a petition filed by former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s legal team, seeking to have the freeze lifted on his bank account at the Parliamentary Branch.

This decision comes amidst an ongoing investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The ruling was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendi, who upheld the earlier injunction order that had led to the suspension of several of Rambukwella’s financial assets, including bank accounts and insurance agreements.

As part of the initial freeze, the bank account at the Parliamentary Branch, which holds both Rambukwella’s pension and a compensation sum exceeding Rs. 95.9 million—awarded to him for damage caused by a fire to his private residence—was also included.

The freeze order, which affects both his and his family’s financial dealings, has now been maintained, despite attempts from his legal representatives to have it lifted.

Rambukwella’s legal team had argued for the immediate release of the specific account linked to the compensation funds and pension, but the court has sided with the ongoing investigation, opting to maintain the freeze for the time being.

March 20, Colombo (LNW): The official acceptance of nominations for the much-anticipated Local Government Elections has now closed, marking a significant step towards finalising candidates for the upcoming polls.

With the nomination period for 336 Local Government institutions concluding, the next critical deadline looms: objections to the nominations must be submitted by 1:30 p.m. today (20).

The nomination process, which began on March 17, has now come to a close, and the Election Commission is expected to announce the election date once the objection period ends and the necessary verifications are completed.

In addition to the nominations, the deadline for submitting election deposits, which was an essential part of the nomination procedure, has already passed as of yesterday (19).

March 20, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Navy recently concluded a successful week-long expedition from March 10 to 17, focused on exploring and documenting several historically significant shipwrecks submerged off the coast of Colombo.

The operation was part of ongoing efforts to preserve the country’s maritime heritage while promoting it as a destination for both educational and eco-tourism.

The expedition aimed to assess the condition of various shipwrecks that lie beneath the waves, with notable inclusions such as the Coal Wreck, Chief Dragon Car Carrier, MV Astoria, MT Nilgiri, Thermopylae Sierra, MV Pecheur Breton, Taprobane East Wreck, SS Worcestershire, Toilet Barge, and SS Perseus, alongside a number of unidentified wrecks.

Among the most notable sites explored were the SS Worcestershire and SS Perseus, both of which were sunk during World War I, adding to the historical significance of these wrecks.

In addition to their historical value, wrecks such as the Chief Dragon Car Carrier and Thermopylae Sierra have evolved into vital artificial reefs, supporting diverse marine life and contributing to the region’s marine ecosystem.

A team of 14 diving officers and 15 diving sailors carried out the operation, employing a mix of atmospheric air and nitrox air mix as breathing gases, depending on the depth and duration of each dive. This approach ensured greater safety and operational efficiency, especially for the deeper dives required to explore these sites.

This initiative is part of the Navy’s commitment to the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, which aims to protect the nation’s maritime environment while preserving its rich history beneath the waves.

These efforts not only enhance the educational and archaeological value of the shipwrecks but also contribute to the promotion of Sri Lanka as a unique and attractive destination for maritime and eco-tourism.

March 20, Colombo (LNW): The government has announced the reinstatement of pension provisions for farmers across the country.

This decision, welcomed by many in the farming sector, will provide financial security to farmers in their retirement, acknowledging their crucial role in the nation’s economy.

Premasiri Jasinghaarachchi, Chairman of the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board, revealed that alongside pensions, farmers will also benefit from life insurance coverage.

This new initiative is expected to offer greater protection for farmers and their families, ensuring they have access to essential financial support in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

In addition to this announcement, the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has confirmed that the compensation process for farmers affected by crop damage from last year’s heavy rainfall has now been finalised.

A total of Rs. 952 million has been distributed to 53,503 farming families who were impacted by the extreme weather conditions.

This compensation was part of the government’s effort to support those whose livelihoods were threatened by the devastating rains that caused widespread damage to crops.

However, some farmers have not yet received their compensation due to issues with verifying their identities and discrepancies in the assessment reports.

The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has acknowledged these challenges and is working to resolve the remaining issues so that all affected farmers can receive their due compensation.