The final report of the internal investigation on the Anuradhapura Prison incident involving State Minister Lohan Ratwatte has been submitted to the Commissioner General of Prisons, The Sunday Morning learns. The controversial incident took place on 12 September 2021, when former State Minister of Prison Reforms Lohan Ratwatte had allegedly abused and assaulted several inmates held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) at gun point.

The incident also followed the Mahara Prison unrest, which triggered an armed response from jailors, causing 11 custodial deaths and left scores injured.

The Prisons Commissioner (Administration and Rehabilitation) and Spokesman L.B. Ekanayake told The Sunday Morning that the final report had been submitted two weeks ago, adding that the department was assisting two other investigations into the incident which were ongoing.

According to Ekanayake, Prisons Commissioner General (Supplies) Sunil Kodithuwakku was appointed by the Commissioner General of Prisons on 15 September 2021 to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

Accordingly, parallel inquiries are also being carried out by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) and the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and an independent inquiry is also being carried out by High Court Judge (Retd.) Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena appointed by Justice Minister Ali Sabry PC.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to submit an investigation progress report on the incident. The order was made when the Fundamental Rights (FR) application by eight inmates was called up in the presence of Supreme Court Justices S. Thurairajah, Achala Wengappulli, and Arjuna Obeysekera last week. Earlier, the IGP was directed to investigate the issue with the advice of the Attorney General.

Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) Chairman Attorney-at-Law Senaka Perera said the delay in completing the investigations conducted by the Police could not be accepted.

He alleged that the Government was not supporting the investigations and was trying to cover up for State Minister Ratwatte.

However, attempts made by The Sunday Morning to get an update on the investigations conducted by the Police were futile, as Police Media Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said he was not updated on the investigations and was yet to get an update from the CID.

Justice Ministry Secretary M.M.P.K. Mayadunne also said he had not been updated on the ongoing investigations regarding the incident and that he wanted to look into the matter. Attempts to contact Minister of Public Security Rear Admiral (Retd.) Sarath Weerasekara were futile.

Sri Lanka has experienced a significant surge in HIV/AIDS cases in 2024 recording over 800 cases. According to the National STD/AIDS Control Programme, Sri Lanka has logged 824 cases reflecting a 18 per cent increase compared to the year 2023, which saw 694 cases.

A direct flight service between Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu and Jaffna in Sri Lanka commenced today after 47 years. Due to the war situation, flight services at the Palaly International Airport, Jaffna were suspended, but in 2019, the airport resumed its services. Passenger flights between Chennai and Jaffna started after the reopening of the airport.

In a swift response to an urgent appeal, the Court of Appeal today issued an interim order suspending the decision made by the Puttalam High Court Judge to remand a lady lawyer over an alleged contemptuous conduct.

Former Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles has arrived at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to record a statement. According to reports, the former minister arrived at the CID to record a statement regarding the shooting incident in front of a prominent hotel in Weligama in 2023.

The draft bill for the government’s recovery of assets acquired through illegal means, the Proceeds of Crime Bill, will be presented to Parliament on 08 April 2025, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. Addressing a public meeting in the Welipitiya area in Matara, President Dissanayake said that frauds and the corrupt will not be allowed to rule the country again.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stated that efforts are underway to reveal those responsible for the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks before April 21.

The government is considering repurposing a number of ministerial bungalows, including offering some to diplomatic missions, Lankadeepa newspaper reported.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra are expected to travel to Thailand later this week to attend the sixth BIMSTEC Summit, The Sunday Times newspaper reports.

Former Public Security Minister Tiran Alles has been summoned to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to record a statement regarding the death of a police sergeant from the Colombo Crimes Division during a shooting incident near a hotel in Weligama, Matara in 2023.

Kuwait has deported 20 convicted Sri Lankan prisoners under an extradition agreement between the two countries, according to media reports. The inmates, held at Kuwait's Central Prison, were repatriated on Wednesday to Katunayake Airport on a special flight to Sri Lanka, reported the Sri Lankan Daily News.