March 10, Colombo (LNW): A suspect arrested for allegedly misleading police and providing false information in relation to the Ganemulla Sanjeewa murder case has been remanded until March 24 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela.
Lahiru Sampath Samaranda, a resident of Belideniya, Dikwella, was taken into custody by officers from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).
The CCD informed the court that Samaranda had misled the authorities by falsely claiming that Ishara Sewwandi, a key suspect in the murder case who remains at large, was hiding in a particular location in Dikwella.
This led the police on a wild goose chase, but further investigation revealed that the information provided by the suspect was completely fabricated.
As a result, Samaranda faces charges for his actions, which have hindered the ongoing investigation.
The court remanded him pending further proceedings, and authorities are continuing their efforts to track down Sewwandi, who remains on the run.
March 10, Colombo (LNW): Postal trade unions have declared their intention to launch a strike on March 18 in response to ongoing grievances that have yet to be addressed by authorities within the postal sector.
The decision to strike was announced by Manjula Jayasundara, Secretary of the Postal and Telecommunication Services Union, who confirmed that all major postal unions have united in their stance, citing the authorities’ failure to resolve long-standing issues affecting workers.
Among the primary concerns raised by the unions are problems with employee recruitment, appointments, promotions, and the lack of adequate salary increments.
These issues have been a source of frustration for postal workers, who have been advocating for better working conditions and fairer treatment for some time.
Jayasundara further revealed that the unions had previously engaged in discussions with the Postmaster General to find solutions to these challenges.
However, as no tangible measures or commitments were made to address the workers’ concerns, the unions have reluctantly decided to take more assertive action in the form of a strike.
The planned industrial action is expected to disrupt postal services across the country, as unions prepare to mobilise their members in protest.
The unions have warned that if their demands continue to be ignored, they may escalate their actions further in the coming weeks.
March 10, Colombo (LNW): Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has approached the Court of Appeal with a writ petition, seeking to prevent his imminent arrest.
Through his legal representatives, Tennakoon has requested an interim injunction to suspend the arrest warrant issued against him by the Matara Magistrate’s Court.
The arrest warrant was issued following Tennakoon’s alleged involvement in a shooting incident outside the W15 Hotel, located in the Pelena area of Weligama, Matara, on December 31, 2023.
The case has garnered significant public attention, with Tennakoon at the centre of investigations into the incident.
The petition was heard today by a two-judge bench at the Court of Appeal, consisting of Acting President Mohamed Lafar Tahir and Justice Sarath Dissanayake.
After reviewing the matter, the bench decided to postpone the hearing and scheduled it for further consideration on March 12.
The judges also directed that notices be served to the relevant respondents involved in the case before the next hearing.
March 10, Colombo (LNW): In preparation for the upcoming local government elections, a meeting was convened by the National Election Commission, where District Returning Officers, Deputy Returning Officers, and Assistant Returning Officers were called in to review critical aspects of the electoral process.
Saman Sri Ratnayake, the Commissioner General of Elections, led the discussions and provided key insights into the procedures for accepting nominations, a vital step in the election process.
During the meeting, which took place yesterday, Ratnayake emphasised the importance of ensuring that all nominations are processed smoothly and in accordance with the law.
The gathering was part of the Commission’s efforts to ensure that the elections proceed without issue, with officials being briefed on the latest guidelines and the necessary preparations for handling nomination submissions.
March 10, Colombo (LNW): Six dedicated police teams have been assigned the task of apprehending former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who is currently evading arrest, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala confirmed.
Accordingly, investigations into the matter are progressing, and law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to locate the former top police officer.
A warrant for Tennakoon’s arrest was issued by the Matara Magistrate’s Court on February 28, following his alleged involvement in a shooting incident that occurred outside a hotel in Pelena, Matara, on December 31, 2023.
In the wake of the incident, authorities also imposed a foreign travel ban on Tennakoon, preventing him from leaving the country as investigations continue.
Deputy Minister of Public Security, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala, reiterated the government’s commitment to enforcing the law without exception. He warned that any individual, regardless of their position or past service, who attempts to evade justice will face legal consequences, including the seizure of their assets.
March 10, Colombo (LNW): The Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has rejected a proposal from the Ministry of Finance to raise the Excise Duty on cigarettes, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to justify the increase.
The Committee discussed the matter during a recent meeting, reviewing the Order under Section 3 of the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, No. 13 of 1989, and the Excise Notification No. 01/2025, which proposed a 5.9 per cent hike in excise duties on several goods, including cigarettes, tobacco products, motor vehicles, and aerated beverages.
Finance Ministry officials presented their case, explaining that the proposed increase was part of a broader adjustment to the excise duties on various products. They also highlighted a similar 5.9 per cent rise in the excise duty on alcoholic beverages, in line with the government’s efforts to increase fiscal revenue.
However, COPF Chairman MP Harsha de Silva expressed concerns about approving the hike on cigarettes without clear, robust data to support its potential impact.
De Silva pointed out that previous studies on cigarette excise revenue suggested that such increases had inadvertently led to a reduction in government income, while simultaneously boosting profits for certain tobacco manufacturers.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that any changes in taxation would actually contribute positively to government revenue rather than simply benefiting private companies.
Given the concerns raised, the Committee decided to defer the decision on the cigarette excise duty increase. It was agreed that further clarification would be sought from the Ministry of Finance before the proposal could be reconsidered at the next meeting.
The Committee also called for more detailed data to justify the proposed tax increase on cigarettes.
On the other hand, the proposal to raise excise duties on alcoholic beverages was approved without issue. During the discussions, some MPs voiced concerns that the increase in liquor taxes could push consumers towards the illicit liquor market.
In response, Finance Ministry officials assured that the authorities are actively cracking down on illegal liquor production and distribution, with raids being carried out regularly.
Officials also reported a 22 per cent increase in liquor production over the past two months, with corresponding revenue growth of 23 per cent. To address the potential for increased consumption of illicit alcohol, plans are reportedly underway to introduce a new category of legal liquor aimed at curbing illegal trade.
March 10, Colombo (LNW): Former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa has confirmed that he will be running for a seat in the upcoming Local Government Elections, representing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) in the Hambantota District.
Speaking to reporters, Rajapaksa stated that the party intends to field a mix of youthful candidates across the district, aiming to bring fresh perspectives to local governance.
Rajapaksa emphasised that while young candidates would be a focal point of the party’s strategy, there would also be representation from women and senior individuals, himself included.
He expressed his belief that a diverse candidate pool would ensure a well-rounded approach to addressing the needs of the community.
In his statement, Rajapaksa acknowledged the unpredictable nature of politics, noting that one can rise to the top or fall to the bottom.
He explained that, despite his prior experience and leadership role, he is ready to start afresh at the grassroots level, underlining his commitment to serving the people of Hambantota.
However, Rajapaksa chose not to disclose which specific local government body he plans to contest, leaving some uncertainty around his precise political intentions.
March 10, Colombo (LNW): More than 26,000 expatriates, including workers and students living abroad, have submitted applications for new passports, according to Arun Hemachandra, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment.
The applications, which have been pending for nearly two years, were filed through Sri Lankan embassies and high commissions across the globe.
Deputy Minister Hemachandra acknowledged the significant challenges faced by these expatriates, particularly those whose passports have expired.
This issue has caused considerable inconvenience for both workers and students, disrupting their ability to carry out important activities, whether related to their employment or academic pursuits.
In response to the growing concerns, discussions have been initiated between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Employment, and the Department of Immigration and Emigration to find a prompt solution.
The government is working diligently to clear the backlog and address the issues surrounding the delayed passport renewals.
Hemachandra assured that steps will be taken to resolve the situation by the end of the month, though he also pointed out that the current administration cannot be held responsible for the crisis.
The Deputy Minister also urged the public to refrain from relying on intermediaries when applying for passports or seeking information about foreign employment opportunities. He stressed that going through authorised channels would ensure a smoother and more efficient process.
March 10, Colombo (LNW): Parliament will convene at 9.30 am today (10), presided over by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, for the 10th day of the ongoing Committee Stage Debate.
The focus of today’s proceedings will be the budget allocation for the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education.
Members of Parliament will discuss the proposed expenditure for these key sectors, which play a crucial role in the development of the nation’s educational and vocational infrastructure.
The debate is expected to delve into the specifics of how funds are allocated across various initiatives and the potential impact on the future of education in the country.
The Committee Stage Debate is set to continue until March 21, with the final vote on the allocations scheduled to take place at 6.00 PM on that day.
The outcome of the vote will determine the approval of the expenditure for the Ministry, and it is anticipated that members will have ample opportunity to present their views and make adjustments to the budget where necessary before the final decision is made.
March 10, Colombo (LNW): Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala has issued a stark warning regarding former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who is currently evading arrest following the issuance of a warrant for his apprehension.
Watagala stated that if Tennakoon continues to abscond, the authorities will pursue legal measures to seize his assets, both movable and immovable.
Speaking on the matter, Watagala emphasised that the law treats all individuals equally, regardless of their previous position or stature, be it a former Prime Minister, President, or even a former top police official.
The focus, he insisted, remains on the fact that Tennakoon is a suspect who is deliberately avoiding arrest, raising questions about his motives.
The Deputy Minister also questioned Tennakoon’s actions, suggesting that if he were innocent, there would be no reason for him to flee from justice.
He pointed out that the police are continuing their efforts to locate Tennakoon, yet he remains elusive.
Watagala stressed that should Tennakoon fail to come forward voluntarily, the authorities would take further legal steps to ensure compliance with the law.
Referring to a circular issued on January 21, 2025, by Acting Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasooriya, Watagala outlined that the circular explicitly states that if a suspect deliberately avoids legal proceedings, their assets could be seized.
This includes all forms of property, which can be confiscated to enforce the law, as per the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, specifically sections 60, 61, and 62.
Despite being given ample opportunity to explain his actions, Tennakoon has failed to do so, leaving the authorities with no choice but to proceed with the legal remedies available to them.
Although these provisions have not frequently been applied in the past, Watagala confirmed that they are now ready to be enforced to ensure that Tennakoon’s assets are adequately addressed.
In closing, the Deputy Minister made it clear that Tennakoon’s wealth, which is now under intense scrutiny, must be accounted for, and the authorities will take all necessary measures to ensure transparency and accountability.
