News

Search continues as Deshabandu’s whereabouts remain unknown

Published

4 months ago

March 3, 2025

editor

CID officials recently conducted extensive searches at five locations, believed to be linked to the whereabouts of former Inspector General of Police, Deshabandu Tennakoon.

Tennakoon, who has been suspended following a court order for his arrest.

Searches were conducted at two residences in major housing complexes near Colombo, along with three other properties located in Colombo and Kurunegala.

Despite the thorough investigations, authorities reported that no significant leads regarding the former IGP’s location were uncovered.

The Matara Magistrate’s Court had issued an arrest order on February 27, 2025, for Tennakoon and five other officers. The charges are related to an incident that occurred on December 31, 2023, when members of the Colombo Crime Branch allegedly opened fire on the W15 Hotel in Weligama, a popular tourist destination in the Matara area. During the altercation, one sergeant from the Crime Branch was killed, and another officer sustained injuries.

The W15 Hotel is owned by Hisham (Hardy) Jamaldeen, the son of former Uva Provincial Governor – A.J.M. Mohammed.

The case is currently under investigation, with the CID working to apprehend the individuals involved.

As of now, the search for Deshabandu Tennakoon and the other suspects is continuing.

News

Special traffic plan in Borella today

Published

1 hour ago

July 7, 2025

editor

Police have announced a special traffic plan that will be implemented in Borella today (July 07) due to an event marking the 50th Golden Jubilee celebration of the Priesthood of His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.

The event is expected to draw a large number of invited guests, including religious dignitaries, government officials, and members of the clergy.

To ease congestion, heavy vehicles will be restricted from entering the stretch between Kynsey Road junction and Nandadasa Kodagoda junction on Ward Place between 3.00 pm – 9.00 pm within the Borella Police Division.

Police have requested motorists to use alternate routes during this time.

News

Veteran civil servant Bradman Weerakoon bids adieu

Published

2 hours ago

July 7, 2025

editor

Senior civil servant and distinguished public administrator Bradman Weerakoon has passed away at the age of 94.

Mr. Weerakoon was educated at Holy Cross College, Kalutara, and St. Thomas’ College, Gurutalawa, before entering the University of Peradeniya, where he graduated with honours in Economics and Sociology.

He later earned a Master’s Degree (MA) in Sociology from the University of Michigan, USA, on a Fulbright Scholarship.

He joined the Ceylon Civil Service in 1954 and served in various parts of the country before becoming secretary to the then Prime Minister – Sir John Kotelawala.

Over an extraordinary career, he went on to serve as Secretary to all elected Prime Ministers and Presidents until 2002, working under 07 Prime Ministers and 03 Presidents – an unparalleled contribution to Sri Lanka’s public administration.

News

Train schedules on Northern line revised

Published

2 hours ago

July 7, 2025

editor

The Department of Railways has announced amendments to train schedules on the Northern Line in response to public requests.

Due to high demand, the Intercity Express train, which previously operated only on weekends, will now run daily between Mt. Lavinia and Kankesanthurai starting today (July 07).

In addition, the departure time of the “Yaal Devi” train plying daily from Colombo Fort to Kankesanthurai has been revised from 5.45 am to 6.40 am.

The Department has advised passengers who made advance seat reservations for the “Yaal Devi” train a month ago, to note the new departure time.