News

Sri Lanka using expired tear gas on protests?

Published

2 years ago

March 11, 2023

editor

Sri Lanka using expired tear gas on protests?

A report prepared by the Centre for Society and Religion on the use of tear gas in Sri Lanka has revealed that Sri Lanka Police has not conducted any laboratory test over the contents of tear gas munitions.

The report filed based on the information obtained via the Right to Information Act revealed that Sri Lanka Police had used expired tear gas munitions to disperse protests in 2022, and some of those munitions were produced back in 2000.

It noted that in 2012, a total of 20,000 tear gas munitions were procured and until 2016 only 2,306 of those units were used.

The report adds that the remaining munitions were to expire in 2017, however they were not disposed.

It added that from 2012 to 2019 a total of over 40,000 tear gas munitions were to expire, and during that period 8,265 tear gas munitions were used on protests, and another 31,735 expired tear gas munitions remain in service.

The report from the Centre for Society and Religion notes that the handling of tear gas munitions by Sri Lanka Police totally violates all instructions given by the manufacturers, including to not deploy the munitions close to live firearms, and not to fire them directly at protestors.

It added that from March to July 2022, during the period of the worst economic crisis in the country, Sri Lanka Police deployed 6,722 tear gas munitions on 84 separate occasions at a cost of Rs. 26 Million.

It also notes the highest number of tear gas munitions fired by Sri Lanka Police on a single day was recorded during protests in 2022, where around 100 munitions were fired on protests daily.

(newsfirst)

News

Internal Affairs Unit established at Presidential Secretariat

Published

3 hours ago

June 4, 2025

editor

An Internal Affairs Unit has been established within the Presidential Secretariat premises to receive inquiries and complaints related to the services provided by the Presidential Secretariat.

The unit was officially declared open today (June 04) by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Inquiries or complaints related to the services can be submitted to the following address:

The Internal Affairs UnitPresidential Secretariat, Colombo 01
Telephone: 011 235 4495
WhatsApp: 071 640 2654
Email: [email protected]

News

Main suspect of Ganemulla Sanjeewa murder, not identified

Published

3 hours ago

June 4, 2025

editor

Samindu Dilshan Piyumanga, the main suspect of the “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” murder was produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (June 04) for an identification parade.

Piyumanga, who is currently held at Boossa Prison, was brought to court under tight security.

Two eyewitnesses were presented during the parade, but neither was able to positively identify him as the gunman, reports say.

The suspect was later presented before Chief Magistrate Tanuja Lakmali in her chambers and was ordered to be remanded further until June 06. The Magistrate also directed that he appear via Skype for the next hearing.

Ganemulla Sanjeewa, an alleged gang leader remanded in connection with 19 murder cases, was shot dead on February 19 inside the No. 05 Magistrate’s Court at the Hulftsdorp Courts Complex.

News

Probe ordered over SLN – fishermen clash off Trinco

Published

3 hours ago

June 4, 2025

editor

A tense altercation had occurred between Sri Lanka Navy personnel and fishermen during an anti-poaching operation off Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee yesterday (June 03).

According to reports, the situation escalated when fishermen allegedly tried to seize Navy firearms, prompting warning shots.

One fisherman was injured due to an accidental discharge and is being treated at Trincomalee Hospital.

Local fishermen have also staged a protest in response.

Meanwhile, Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources Minister – Ramalingam Chandrasekaran has instructed the Sri Lanka Navy to conduct a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event and submit a report at the earliest. He stated that appropriate steps will be determined based on the findings of the investigation.

The Minister said that no final conclusions should be drawn until the investigation is completed and the full details are known.