Referring to the recent sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom on top Sri Lankan military officials, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, who played a significant role in the country’s civil war, stated that the sanction against former Army Commander Shavendra Silva was unreasonable.

While speaking out against the sanctions on Silva, Fonseka took a different stance regarding former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda and former Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya.

“I have spoken in Parliament about these individuals. These officers were not on the front lines during the war, and there is substantial evidence implicating them in abuses of power,” he said.

Speaking at a public event, Fonseka asserted that legal action should be taken against anyone proven to have violated local or international laws. He emphasized that Sri Lanka has previously prosecuted military personnel found guilty of wrongdoing.

“There have been instances where legal action was taken against members of the armed forces who abused their power. Those found guilty of misconduct should be held accountable. Former Army officer Sunil Rathnayake, for example, was convicted of killing multiple family members after an eyewitness saw him wrongfully shoot someone.

He was later pardoned by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa under the pretext of protecting war veterans. Similarly, Karannagoda has been accused of abducting young individuals, demanding ransom, and detaining them at a Trincomalee camp. A former Navy Commander has even admitted to knowing about these detentions,” Fonseka added.

The Food Policy and Security Committee has recommended the importation of rice in the near future to ensure an uninterrupted supply for consumers.

The Court of Appeal today directed the relevant returning officers to further suspend election activities until tomorrow (03) in local government institutions where political parties and independent groups have filed petitions challenging the rejection of nomination papers.

Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendi today sentenced former North Central Province Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith and his private secretary Shanthi Chandrasena — the spouse of former Minister S.M. Chandrasena — to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of corruption charges.

Cabinet approval has been granted to establish a regional office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Vavuniya, Northern Province, where several districts of Sri Lanka are located.

Leader of Sarvajana Balaya and Member of Parliament Dilith Jayaweera accused the government of using loopholes in the law to deceive the public.

Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said Provincial Council council election will not be held this year as three elections were held within six months with the upcoming Local Government elections.

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said there is no legal barrier in bringing a motion to remove suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon from the office of IGP as claimed by former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.

The Court of Appeal today directed the relevant Returning Officers to suspend the election activities until tomorrow (02), in relation to Local Government institutions where political parties and independent groups have filed petitions challenging the rejection of nomination papers.

The Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) has been made compulsory for obtaining all services from the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT). In an official notice, DMT Commissioner General Nishantha Anurudda Weerasinghe announced that the requirement to provide a TIN will be enforced from April 15.

Former State Minister Sathasivam Viyalendran, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has been further remanded until April 8.