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.

While refuting claims by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe that his government had allocated funds required to increase public sector salaries, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that no such funds had been allocated.

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking an order preventing Ranjan Ramanayake from contesting the parliamentary election scheduled for November 14.

Claiming that Sri Lanka has come a long way in terms of undertaking reforms which have led to some hard won gains, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)said they could move fast towards the third review which will come up soon.

The Election Commission has decided to mark the voters' index fingers for this year's general elections, Commissioner General Saman Ratnayake announced. He said the elections are scheduled for November 14, 2024.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to hold a series of meetings with the High Commissioners of South Africa and New Zealand, along with the Ambassadors of Iran and Myanmar, as well as a delegation from the European Union today (25) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the security threats to Israeli nationals in the Arugam Bay area, Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath said.

Sri Lanka should get its foreign policy right in the wake of the escalating Middle East crisis, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujibur Rahman said today.

The Canadian government has issued a travel advisory urging travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in Sri Lanka due to demonstrations, the threat of terrorist attacks and crime, particularly in the Arugam Bay area.

Sri Lankan security forces have been alerted to a potential attack on Israelis in the Arugam Bay area by Indian intelligence agencies. According to intelligence information, the threat is believed to be targeted at foreign nationals.

Former Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara asked why the government did not take action to beef up security for foreign tourists in advance if it had received information on a possible threat on October 7, according to the statement made by Acting Chief of Police.