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COPA instructs police to dispose all expired tear gas

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Chair of the Committee on Public Accounts – Lasantha Alagiyawanna informed the Department of Police to provide the next proposed program of the police department within a month yesterday (26).

The chair of the Committee stated the aforesaid yesterday (26) when Sri Lanka Police was summoned before the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) to examine the Auditor General’s report and current performance for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, the Inspector General of Police and many senior police officials were invited to this event.

It was questioned as to why when the department of police was called before COPA in 2016, a recommendation had been given in this regard, but it had not yet been implemented. The Inspector General of Police said that since it is difficult to set up a single information technology system for the Sri Lanka Police, steps will be taken to introduce information technology systems in segments.

Accordingly, the Inspector General of Police said that a new pilot project is currently being implemented in Hatton and Nuwara Eliya Police Stations where details can be obtained from the filing of a complaint to the status of its court proceedings.

The Committee Chair emphasized that it is essential to establish an information technology system in the police department where relevant information can be obtained immediately by integrating the motor transport department and other institutions. Accordingly, he instructed to give a report on the current program and the proposed plan to the Committee within a month.

Lack of female police officers

Issues such as the lack of female police officers in the Sri Lanka Police were also addressed. It was disclosed that there are 2419 female police constable vacancies and it was proposed to complete the said vacancies in the year 2023. However, it could not be done due to the current economic situation.

The Inspector General of Police said that the conventional context within the police force has been changed and the necessary reform program has been initiated to provide opportunities for women to higher positions including the post of Inspector General of Police in the future. He said that as a result, an opportunity will be provided for the emergence of a future female Inspector General of Police.

Dispose expired tear gas

Attention was also drawn to the expired tear gas belonging to the police. Senior police officers informed that the process of disposal of expired tear gas has started and they will never be used. The Committee instructed to dispose of the expired tear gas existing in all police stations across all of Sri Lanka.

Furthermore, according to international conventions, the Chair of the Committee informed that a report should be prepared and submitted to the COPA on the measures taken in controlling the public riots including tear gas.

Language skills

Special attention was also paid to the need to improve the language skills of police officers. Senior police officers pointed out that many programs have been started to impart Tamil and English language skills to police officers. The Committee emphasized the need to streamline those activities.

Issues related to police promotions, police reward fund management, road accident control, crime control and other problems and their solutions were also discussed here.

State Ministers Kader Mastan, Prasanna Ranaweera, Mohan Priyadarshana De Silva, Diana Gamage and Members of Parliament Tissa Attanayake, A. L. M. Athaullah, J. C. Alawathuwala, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, (Ms.) Manjula Dissanayake, (Ms.) Mudita Prashanthi, D. Weerasingha, (Dr.) Major Pradeep Undugoda, Ashok Abeysinghe, (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya were present at the Committee meeting held. 

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SL temporarily stops sending workers to Israel

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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment – Arundika Hemantha stated that Sri Lanka has temporarily suspended sending workers to Israel.
Speaking at a press conference held in Colombo today (June 16), the Deputy Minister said the decision was made as a precautionary measure due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

“This is a temporary suspension of sending workers to Israel for foreign employment. Depending on how the situation develops over the next few days, we will take further decisions,” he stated.

He also urged Sri Lankan citizens currently in Israel and Iran to stay in touch with the respective Sri Lankan embassies. “We have shared the necessary contact numbers, and if any Sri Lankan faces a difficult situation, they can reach out without hesitation. Our top priority is the safety of our citizens,” he added.

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SC hears contempt case against Ilukpitiya

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The contempt of court case filed against Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Harsha Illukpitiya, who is currently in remand custody, was taken up for hearing before the Supreme Court today (16).

The hearing was conducted before a three-judge bench comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Janak de Silva, and Arjuna Obeysekera.

The first witness to give evidence was Supreme Court Registrar Aravinda Gunaratne. Under the direction of President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran—who is one of the petitioners—Registrar Gunaratne testified that three Fundamental Rights petitions are currently pending before the Supreme Court, challenging the electronic visa (e-Visa) issuance process. 

He stated that interim injunctions had been issued by the Court in this regard on August 2, 2023.

He further noted that the respondent, Controller General Harsha Illukpitiya, had subsequently filed an affidavit informing the Court of difficulties in implementing the said orders. 

Following testimony from officials of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, contempt of court charges were filed against Ilukpitiya for non-compliance.

Subsequent evidence was also recorded from a representative of Sri Lanka Mobitel, which was involved in the e-Visa issuance process.

During the proceedings, President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris, appearing for the respondent, requested the Court to issue an order to summon several files from the Department of Immigration and Emigration relevant to the case. The bench granted the request and directed the Department to submit the files in a sealed envelope to the Court Registrar.

Accordingly, the hearing was adjourned until July 1.

Previously, the Supreme Court had issued an interim injunction ordering the reinstatement of the previous visa issuance system. This followed a decision made by the Cabinet under the former administration to transfer the e-Visa process to two private entities—an action now under legal scrutiny.

Harsha Illukpitiya was remanded on September 25, 2024, after being charged with contempt of court for failing to comply with the interim injunction. His bail application was subsequently denied.

The petitions were filed by former Members of Parliament Patali Champika Ranawaka, M.A. Sumanthiran, and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader and MP Rauff Hakeem.

(adaderana.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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President’s Fund recognizes GCE A/L top achievers

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The President’s Fund has organized a provincial-level awards programme to honour outstanding students who excelled in the 2023/2024 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examinations at the district level.

Under this initiative, 60 top-performing students from each district selected based on exceptional results across all subject streams will receive financial scholarships and certificates of achievement. 

The selection process is conducted in collaboration with the Department of Examinations and the University Grants Commission (UGC), using official results published for the 2023/2024 exams.

The first phase of this programme will recognize distinguished students from the Northern Province who achieved top results in the 2023 A/L examinations. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Kilinochchi on June 22, 2025, with all preparations now finalized.

Accordingly, the exceptional students from the districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya who performed remarkably in the 2023 GCE Advanced Level Examination will be honoured at the event.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway to hold award ceremonies in the other provinces shortly as well.

(President’s Media Division)

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