News

NPC initiates disciplinary proceedings against acting IGP

Published

2 years ago

December 17, 2023

editor

The National Police Commission (NPC) will begin disciplinary proceedings against Acting Inspector General (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon and other police officers named by the Supreme Court (SC) this week for violating a citizen’s fundamental rights.

The process under the Establishment Code would begin when the NPC formally receives a copy of the judgment through the Attorney General, a source told the Sunday Times.

The senior-most police officer today and others named in the case were in charge of the Nugegoda division when the citizen was subjected to torture after his arrest in 2011.

A committee would be appointed to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the matter. This fact-finding mission would thereafter probe the incident and submit its recommendations, the source said.

If the preliminary inquiry finds sufficient cause for further action, a formal disciplinary inquiry will be initiated and the accused charge-sheeted. Disciplinary action, if any, will be taken after this inquiry, according to the source.

On Thursday, the SC ordered Acting IGP Tennakoon and three other police officers to each pay the petitioner, a retired army soldier, Rs. 500,000 as compensation for his illegal arrest on suspicion of robbery and subjecting him to torture. It also ordered the NPC and other relevant authorities to take appropriate disciplinary action against the officers it had found to be responsible.

The three-judge SC bench found that the victim, Weheragedara Ranjith Sumangala of Kindelpitiya in Millewa, had been subjected to severe torture by the police officers who reported to the then Superintendent (SP) Tennakoon, who was attached to the Nugegoda Division. The citizen was tortured at his residence, in front of his family, and in police custody.

The petitioner also claimed that SP Tennakoon himself beat him with a ‘three-wheel rubber band’ after stripping him naked and ordering him to rub Siddhalepa on his genitalia.

Along with the Acting IGP, a police officer named Bandara, Inspector Bhathiya Jayasinghe, Egodawele Chief Inspector and Head Quarters’ Inspector attached to Mirihana Police Station were found responsible for the ill-treatment and torture of the victim.

“The kind of conduct on display, judged even by the lowest of standards, amounts to a magnificent failure of all that the Rule of Law stands for,” said Justice S. Thurairaja in his judgment, with Justices Kumuduni Wickremasinghe and Priyantha Fernando agreeing. The State was also ordered to pay Rs. 100,000 in compensation from funds allocated to the Police Department, given the institutional issues observed by the Supreme Court.

Maximum three-year term for IGP

The government is planning to restrict the service period of an Inspector General of Police to a maximum of three years.

Discussions have already been held at the Ministry of Public Security about the proposal, and a Cabinet paper is due to be submitted shortly, the Sunday Times learns.

The decision has been taken considering that some of the officials already in service, if appointed as the IGP, would be able to hold the post for six to nine years. According to the proposal, after completing the three years as the IGP, they would have to retire from service, even if they are under the retirement age of 60.

Source – sundaytimes.lk

News

IMF Executive Board approves Sri Lanka’s fourth review

Published

28 minutes ago

July 2, 2025

editor

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the Fourth review under the 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement, allowing the authorities to draw about US$350 million, said Evan Papageorgiou, IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka.

This brings the total IMF financial support disbursed so far to about US$1.74 billion.

“The EFF arrangement for Sri Lanka was approved by the Executive Board on March 20, 2023 in an amount of SDR 2.286 billion (395 percent of quota or about US$3 billion). The program supports Sri Lanka’s efforts to durably restore macroeconomic stability by (i) restoring fiscal and debt sustainability while protecting the vulnerable, (ii) safeguarding price and financial sector stability, (iii) rebuilding external buffers, (iv) strengthening governance and reducing corruption vulnerabilities, and (v) enhancing growth-oriented structural reforms.”

News

Cabinet approval for online traffic fine payment system – Bimal

Published

11 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Minister of Transport and Highways Bimal Rathnayake has said that Cabinet approval has been granted to implement an islandwide online traffic fine payment system.

He made this statement during a media briefing near the Kottawa Expressway entrance, following a public awareness programme on mandatory seat belt use for vehicles travelling on expressways.

“The Cabinet approved the proposal today. At present, the online fine payment system is available only between Kurunegala and Anuradhapura. Now, we’re providing all police units with mobile devices, so that from this year, traffic fines can be paid from anywhere via mobile phones… Rather than paying fines, we urge everyone to drive carefully, wear seat belts, and avoid violations. Our core message is simple, travel safely,” the minister has said.

News

Indian entrepreneur delegation meets President AKD (Pics)

Published

11 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Indian entrepreneurs state that they are currently directing their attention towards new investment prospects in Sri Lanka, particularly in sectors like energy, infrastructure, the digital economy, tourism and agriculture, as well as on enhancing entrepreneurial capacity.

A delegation of around 20 Indian entrepreneurs, comprising heads of several prominent Indian companies, is currently engaged in an active programme in Sri Lanka, coordinated by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), with the aim of further developing existing investment opportunities and exploring new prospects. These comments were expressed during the delegation’s meeting with President Anura Kumara Disanayake this afternoon (01) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The delegation is visiting Sri Lanka following an invitation extended by President Anura Kumara Disanayake during his recent official visit to India. The Indian delegation held discussions with several Sri Lankan Ministers and with officials from key government institutions, including the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka.

President Disanayake emphasized that the country has now established a more favourable environment for investors, owing to the current economic stability.

The President briefed the Indian business representatives on the constructive measures implemented by the government to create a supportive economic climate and conditions conducive to investment. He further noted that the government has strengthened the legal framework and institutional system necessary to attract and sustain large-scale investments. He assured that under the present administration efforts have been made to eliminate the losses and corruption previously associated with investments.

The President also emphasised that special attention has been given to attracting regional investors and providing them with the necessary facilities. He pointed out that numerous new business opportunities have opened up between India and Sri Lanka across various sectors.

The Indian entrepreneurs stated that Sri Lanka’s strategic location is of great appeal to investors. They appreciated the President’s explanation regarding the current situation of the country, noting that it had inspired confidence and renewed hope in them.

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Professor Anil Jayantha Fernando, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage, and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha, along with officials from the Indian High Commission, were present at the occasion. Also in attendance were former Chairman of CII and Chairman and Managing Director of ITC Limited, Sanjiv Puri, and heads of several other major Indian companies.

(President’s Media Division)