Defend Democracy Press

March 2, 2026 

Spain’s government on Monday said the US has neither used nor will use Spanish military bases to conduct attacks against Iran, insisting Madrid maintains full control over its sovereign facilities, Anadolu reports.

According to Spanish news outlet El Diario, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said in a television interview that the bases at Rota and Moron de la Frontera are not being used” for operations linked to the Middle East conflict and that Spain will not authorize any such deployment.

The bases of Spanish sovereignty will not be used for anything that is not within the agreement with the United States or for anything that does not fit within the charter of the United Nations,” he said.

Albares reiterated that although the bases are for joint use, Spain retains ultimate authority, according to the report. He also denied that the US informed Madrid in advance of its actions, describing recent strikes as a unilateral action outside of any collective action.”

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez rejected what he called the unilateral action” by the US and Israel against Iran, warning that it contributes to a more uncertain and hostile international order.”

Albares said the escalation carries unpredictable consequences,” including disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and rising oil prices, and called for de-escalation and diplomacy.

Spain also condemned the retaliatory attacks by Iran on Gulf countries.

Spain saves Europe’s honor

Israel Shamir, courtesy The Unz Review

The US, UK, France and Germany are flattered to call themselves the West”, but it is more realistic to call them the Jewish-State-in-progress, or Epsteinia”. We have just learned that President Trump had already made up his mind to go to war against Iran weeks ago, and that the pretence of diplomacy carried out by two Jewish real estate dealers (Witkoff and Kushner) on his behalf was little more than a nothingburger to keep Iran busy until the Chosen moment. So what exactly was the purpose behind Trump’s diplomatic pause before commencing hostilities? There is a reason; quite shameful, but true. Trump and his superior, Bibi Netanyahu, were guided by Kabbalah magic. They agreed to carry out this historic attack on a particularly auspicious date in the Jewish calendar, called Remembrance Shabbat, the last Saturday before the feast of Purim. The facts are overwhelmingly clear: International Jewry decreed the attack day and the US military jumped like obedient dogs to a Jewish whistle.

Wikipedia describes Remembrance Shabbat as follows:

Sabbath [of] remembrance’ or Shabbat Zachor (Hebrew: שבת זכור) is the Shabbat immediately preceding Purim. Deuteronomy 25:17-19 (at the end of Parasha Ki Teitzei), describing the attack on the Jews by Amalek, is recounted. There is a tradition from the Talmud (understood to be implied in the Megillah itself) that Haman, the antagonist of the Purim story, was descended from Amalek. The portion that is read includes a commandment to remember the attack by Amalek, and therefore at this public reading both men and women make a special effort to hear the reading.

All Jews are not only required to remember this special date commemorating this ancient tale, but they are also required to seek revenge; i.e. commit genocide of whoever the Sanhedrin has labelled Amalek in our generation. A Jew is obliged and commanded to kill all the men, women, children of Amalek, including dogs and cats. Small animals, kittens and puppies are often killed a fortnight earlier at the Tubishvat celebration – pets are thrown into burning bonfires by Sephardi custom. The customs of Purim (and the preceding Sabbath) are notoriously horrible, detailed by Elliot Horowitz in his Reckless Rites: Purim and the Legacy of Jewish Violence. Martin Luther noted that Jews thought of all Christian rulers (who Jews consider to be their oppressors) as modern-day Hamans, and so it was a religious duty to undermine them and seek their downfall. [He also noted that Jews saw Christ as a similar King/Oppressor figure, perhaps because in the Septuagint, Haman is crucified. Bear in mind that the Septuagint is the Greek translation of the unadulterated original Bible text, while the modern Hebrew Bible has been updated many times over the years by Jewish scholars.]

Netanyahu’s International Jews (including those of the Israeli government coalition) have a long history of performing their professional and religious duties in accord with Kabbalistic magic. For them, the combination of the first blow in the Sabbath of Remembrance and celebration of Purim a few days later is too tempting to avoid. The fools are likely to believe that they are guided from above, and thus they will come to their end.

Purim celebrates when 75000 Persians were murdered by Jews; and it’s no coincidence that this is the first time the Jews are clearly mentioned in the Bible. It’s a kind of coming out” story for Jews. Jewish stories always make the Jews look like innocent victims, and this story is no exception. The real Jews of the Second Temple period knew the real facts, and they carved the Persian capital Susa into the ‘Beautiful Gate’ of the Temple, explaining that the Jews should forever be mindful of their time in Persia. But Netanyahu has forgotten this advice from his legendary ancestors.

The first bombs of the Iran War were dropped by Mike Huckabee, Tel Aviv’s pet US Ambassador”, in an interview with Tucker Carlson just before hostilities commenced. Huckabee told Tucker that Israel has the right to seize as much of the Middle East as the US can defend, and that it’s fine with him if they take it. After that, everyone just sat around waiting for a magical date on the Kabbalah Calendar. Jews preordained that, on the Jewish Sabbath of Remembrance, the US and Israel shall bravely sneak-attack peaceful, slumbering Iran; a country still working to comply with UN investigators, still in peace talks with two Jews, tragically unaware of the historical significance of that particular date for Jews. Attacking forces boldly murdered the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Muslim equivalent of the Catholic Pope. Israel sees every non-Jewish leader as Haman and therefore a legitimate target: our Ron Unz explained it in this essay. Jews like to assassinate leaders, something that went out of fashion in the Thirty Years’ War.

England, France and Germany followed orders from Tel Aviv. This means that Jews have succeeded to get on top in these countries. Germany was forced to accept Jewish rule with the US occupation in 1945. Now it is illegal for a German to wear a Palestinian keffiyeh, or to call for a free Palestine. France was relatively free in 1960, when de Gaulle had the power to kick out NATO. Over the years since then, the Jews have tightened their hold on the media. French cinema died, French politicians kneeled before Lord Rothschild and in the year of Our Lord 2026, all French parties have become thoroughly Jewified. Marine Le Pen, the darling of what passes for French Nationalism, approved of the Purim attack on Iran, and promoted her Chosen Jewish successor. England has always been the homeland of Christian Zionism, and Starmer is a very proper shabbos-goy to represent the UK’s Shabbos Gov”.

Why are the Jews willing to expend so much political capital in exchange for the doubtful achievement of ruining Iran? We can understand why Trump is so willing to betray MAGA – because his lot is not to reason why; a good Shabbos-goy, he must follow orders from Tel Aviv. But why would the usually cautious Jews do it? It was the shining glory of the El Aksa Mosque, which has to be destroyed in order to erect the Third Temple, the ultimate wish of the Jews. And Iran is the only country in the world that wouldn’t allow it to happen. All other Muslim states were cowed and follow US orders.

From the moment of the sneak attack on Iran, El Aksa Mosque was closed by the Israeli army, and Palestinian Muslims can no longer enter it. In the middle of the Ramadan Fast, it is especially painful for believers. The story of the El Aksa Mosque and the Jewish drive for its destruction is a long one. I have previously written about it in The Cornerstone of Violence.

To make it short, I’ll quote from it:

Many Jews and their Christian-Zionist allies believe the precious beauty of Haram a-Sharif, the 7th century mosques of Jerusalem should be destroyed and on their ruins, a Jewish temple should be erected. Why should this be done? People provide different explanations, historical and eschatological. It is not for some historical justice, or for the purpose of prayer, as traditional Judaism forbade all interaction with the Mountain of the Lord. Some mystically inclined Jews believe this act will make Jewish domination of the world total and irreversible. This belief is not an exclusive domain of kooks and freaks, nor even of Zionists only, but rather a widespread conviction.

The mainstream media of the West usually presents the conflict in terms of Muslims vs. Jews. But the conflict as seen by these Jews, is Jews vs. Gentiles. In their minds, the Temple Mount is a magic Ring of Power, one they should assume when the time is right. As the Ring in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings (the British professor was a very learned man), it should bring forth the Messiah. For the Jewish mystics, this Messiah is not the Christian Messiah. In their book, the Messiah is not a gentle Jesus with a message for all mankind. Their Messiah would forever enslave the nations of the earth and make the Chosen people the masters of the universe. Their Messiah, Lord Enslaver of the Peoples of Earth, is the Antichrist of prophecies.”

The Arabs outside of the Holy Land have been subdued, and do not care about it all that much. Muslims everywhere are being attacked relentlessly by Jewish-led global media companies. Palestinians are being genocided for their love of the El Aksa Mosque (the war in Gaza is called by Palestinians the Al Aqsa Flood”). The only real resistance came from Iran, led by Persian theologians who well understood the Temple Mount controversy. So, of course Iran had to be bombed for Purim. Obviously such an act of celebration should be accompanied by the Kabbalistic ritual blood sacrifice of young girls, as expounded in the Epstein Files. This Jewish religious practice was achieved right away when they reportedly slaughtered over a hundred schoolgirls and when they deliberately targeted the 14-month-old granddaughter of the late Ayatollah.

Such is the fate of Persia, perishing under the Lion of Judah (Israeli codename Operation Roaring Lion). But how will the Christians fare, stepping into the arena with such a hungry lion? It is better not to cooperate with such beasts, for when we dance with the devil we deserve whatever fate has in store for us. Shall we review the Kabbalistic Calendar for the magic date that the Jewish Yoke will be lodged on our necks? We see how Islam may be openly reviled by our Jewish overlords. Do we really think that Christianity is exempt from such treatment? They already openly describe the Bible as an antisemitic document.” We all know that the conflict between Islam and Christianity is being stage-managed by Jews. With the influx of good, conservative Muslims into Western nations, we are rapidly learning that the points of harmony between believing Islamics and believing Christians vastly outweigh what Mike Huckabee calls our Judeo-Christian Patrimony”.

The Jews are running out of time. There has never been a Jewish kingdom that has lasted longer than 80 years and 2028 is coming up fast. From the local PTA to international organizations, Christians and Muslims are getting to know one another, making an end-run around their Jewish handlers. The Purim War against Iran is a clear sign of Jewish desperation. They already lost the moral high ground when they began firebombing Gazan ghettos. This latest Jewish war is the proverbial step too far, and when Israel falls you can bet they are going to try and take down everyone else with them. The first step towards ending the Iran War is the resolution of the Gazan Genocide. Once Israel is defused, the entire world powder keg will unravel. Imagine it! Christians and Muslims working together in Christ’s name to purge school libraries of Kabbalistic sex manuals! Ukraine will deport all the Jewish adventurers and get back to being the breadbasket of Europe! Jerusalem will become a UN protectorate, ensuring all religions have a seat at the tables of the Holy Land! Trump can go back to being a MAGA guy, the US military can be safely reduced and funds invested in US manufacturing! Congress can go back to representing the American people! Western businesses will thrive on all that cheap oil delivered by our new Muslim friends in the Middle East!

How many other positive scenarios can you imagine happening if we could only rid ourselves of these pestilent Epsteins? America has a hag on its back, and its name is Israel.

Edited by Paul Bennet of Minnesota.

Chamuditha News Brief

උපුටා ගැන්ම ලංකා සී නිව්ස්

පාස්කු ඉරිදා ප්‍රහාරයේ මහමොළකරු ලෙස සැලකෙන සහරාන් හෂීම්ගේ නඩුව වෙනුවෙන් පෙනී සිටි නීතිඥයා අද මෙරට අධිකරණ ඇමති ධුරය හොබවන බව ජාතික නිදහස් පෙරමුණේ නායක, පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රී විමල් වීරවංශ මහතා පවසයි.

රත්නපුර පැවති ජන හමුවකදී අදහස් දක්වමින් ඒ මහතා මේ බව සඳහන් කළේය.

එහිදී වැඩිදුරටත් අදහස් දැක්වූ වීරවංශ මහතා කියා සිටියේ වත්මන් අධිකරණ ඇමති හර්ෂණ නානායක්කාර මහතා එදා මඩකලපුවට ගොස් සහරාන්ගේ නඩුව වෙනුවෙන් පෙනී සිටි නීතිඥයා බවයි. රටේ ආරක්ෂාව වෙනුවෙන් කැපී පෙනෙන මෙහෙවරක් කළ විශ්‍රාමික මේජර් ජෙනරාල් සුරේෂ් සලේ වැනි බුද්ධි අංශ ප්‍රධානීන් සිරගත කර පීඩාවට පත් කරමින්, සහරාන් වෙනුවෙන් පෙනී සිටි නීතිඥයින්ට ඇමතිකම් ලබා දීම හාස්‍යයට කරුණක් බව ඔහු අවධාරණය කළේය.

ආණ්ඩුවේ මෙම ක්‍රියාකලාපය හරහා කොටි ඩයස්පෝරාව සතුටු කිරීම සඳහා මෙරට බුද්ධි අංශ සහ ආරක්ෂක හමුදාවන් බෙලහීන කරමින් පවතින බවටද මන්ත්‍රීවරයා චෝදනා කළේය. රණවිරු යන වචනය පවා භාවිත කිරීමට මැලි වන පාලනයක් අද බිහි වී ඇති බවත්, ජයමංගල ගාථා සහ සිංහල අවුරුදු චාරිත්‍ර වැනි ජාතික උරුමයන් පවා රජය විසින් නොසලකා හරිමින් පවතින බවත් ඔහු පෙන්වා දුන්නේය.

එමෙන්ම වත්මන් රජය ආර්ථිකය හැසිරවීමේදී අසාර්ථක වී ඇති බව පැවසූ වීරවංශ මහතා, හොරු ඇල්ලීමේ සටන් පාඨවලින් බලයට පැමිණි පිරිස් අද මහා දවාලේ මහා පරිමාණ දූෂණවල නිරත වන බව පැවසීය. විශේෂයෙන් බාල ගල්අඟුරු ගෙන්වීම, බාල ඖෂධ ආනයනය සහ හාල් මිල පාලනය කිරීමට අපොහොසත් වීම හරහා ජනතාව දැඩි පීඩනයකට පත්ව ඇති බවත්, මෙවැනි ක්‍රියාවල බර අවසානයේ විදුලි බිල සහ බදු හරහා සාමාන්‍ය ජනතාව මතම පටවන බවත් ඔහු වැඩිදුරටත් සඳහන් කළේය.

රට වැටී ඇති මෙම අගාධයෙන් ගොඩගැනීමට නම් ප්‍රතිපත්ති පාවා නොදෙන, රටේ සංස්කෘතික සහ ජාතික උරුමය හඳුනන නව නායකත්වයක් අවශ්‍ය බව පවසමින් වීරවංශ මහතා සිය දේශනය අවසන් කළේය

Courtesy Hiru News

The Sri Lankan government, led by the President, failed to issue a single word condemning or protesting the invasion of Iran and the killing of its spiritual leader by the US and Israel, despite opposition from global bodies like the US Congress and British Parliament, SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahman stated in Parliament today (03).

The MP pointed out his expectation that the President would present and unanimously pass a resolution against the invasion as the Head of State, yet no such action occurred today.

Mujibur Rahman further shared the following views:

The President visited Parliament today only to discuss technicalities like oil tank capacities and ship arrivals, which are matters the Energy Minister or even the Minister who inspected the tanks could have addressed. The President’s speech consisted of points that the Trade Minister or Foreign Minister could have easily handled. Instead of informing Parliament on international diplomatic actions, the President cunningly avoided the Iran issue to speak on unrelated topics.

While the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) previously protested against US imperialism at the Embassy every day while in the opposition, they are now silent. The country knows they have betrayed that struggle. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa issued a message of condolence following the spiritual leader’s death, but the leader did not die of a heart ailment; it was a targeted killing. This administration lacks the backbone to register a formal protest.

Former leaders like President Ranasinghe Premadasa and Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike maintained a direct and firm foreign policy in similar instances. While the current Prime Minister mentioned being moved by the songs of Victor Rathnayake, she did not say a word regarding the deaths of 160 young girls in an Iranian nursery during the US-Israeli attacks. These individuals frequented the Palestinian Embassy before taking power, but since gaining it, they have remained silent.

Professor Muditha Vidanapathirana & Dr. Ruwaan M Jayatunge

Serial homicide is defined as the unlawful killing of two or more individuals in separate events, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI, 2005). Hickey (2016) explains that serial killers engage in a series of murders, often driven by psychological motives and identifiable patterns or methods. These individuals frequently feel an irresistible urge to kill, influenced by various factors such as a quest for power, control, or the need to satisfy profound psychological impulses (Hare, 1999).

According to Hickey (2016) Serial murders are characterized by a series of homicides, typically committed by the same individual over a period of time, with a distinct cooling-off period between each crime. These murders often exhibit specific patterns, including the selection of victims based on particular traits, such as age, gender, or lifestyle, which can reflect the perpetrator’s psychological motivations. Reid (2016) indicates that Serial homicide is an intentional, premeditated act, not a crime carried out on impulse or in response to a perceived provocation or threat. 

The rise of serial murder is seldom linked to a singular factor; rather, experts consider it a confluence of genetic tendencies, psychological growth, and particular social circumstances. Psychologically, many serial killers exhibit traits associated with antisocial personality disorder, including a lack of empathy, impulsivity, and a propensity for manipulation, which can drive them to commit heinous acts without remorse. (Stone, 2001).

Marono et al. (2020) proposed that early childhood sexual abuse correlates with violent behaviours at crime scenes, such as mutilation, torture, and binding, while physical or psychological abuse is often associated with overkill. Arrigo and Griffin (2004) suggest that maladaptive attachment styles formed in childhood may lead to the emergence of serial killing tendencies. Leyton (2005) emphasizes that social factors, including isolation and a lack of supportive relationships, can exacerbate feelings of alienation, potentially motivating individuals to exert power and control through violence, which may manifest as serial killing. Additionally, genetic factors significantly influence the propensity for extreme violence, with research identifying specific genetic markers associated with traits like impulsivity, aggression, and reduced empathy, traits commonly observed in serial offenders (Tiihonen et al., 2015).

Throughout history, numerous serial killers have gained infamy, including figures such as Jack the Ripper from the United Kingdom in 1888, Ted Bundy from the USA, Andrei Chikatilo from the Soviet Union, Luis Garavito from Colombia, Javed Iqbal from Pakistan, Charles Sobhraj from French Indochina, Kampatimar Shankariya from India, and Robert Pickton from Canada. Notably, until 2003, Sri Lanka had not recorded any cases of serial murders, marking a significant contrast to the global prevalence of such crimes.

The First Recorded Serial Killer in Sri Lanka

In 2003, a mobile vendor from the Madugoda area, located near Udadumbara in the Kandy district, was apprehended in connection with a series of atrocious crimes. This individual, who operated as a travelling salesman selling household items between 10:00 AM and 12:00 noon, specifically targeted vulnerable women living alone, and in some instances, even a child. The perpetrator, known as the “Madugoda Serial Killer,” was identified by investigations led by the Kandy Police as a suspect in multiple murders, which he committed primarily through strangulation. His actions were driven not by a desire for material gain but rather by a disturbing need for emotional gratification and sadistic satisfaction, stemming from a troubled childhood marked by paternal neglect and a lack of maternal affection. This emotional turmoil likely fueled his resentment towards female figures, influencing his choice of victims. Officially, he is linked to the murders of seven individuals, each case reflecting the deep-seated issues that plagued his early years and shaped his violent tendencies.

M. G. Nawarathna: From Child Monk to a Serial Killer

M. G. Nawarathna emerged as a notorious serial killer in Sri Lanka during the early 2000s, with his criminal activities spanning from 2000 to 2003. His chilling reputation is largely attributed to his background in law enforcement, having served as a Police Constable, and his methodical approach to committing crimes.   Nawarathna had a complex history, having once been ordained as a Buddhist monk before transitioning to a career in policing. Over the course of his criminal career, he was responsible for the murders of 11 individuals, predominantly targeting women—ten of his victims were female, alongside a tragic case involving a four-year-old boy. His heinous acts primarily took place in the regions of Weyangoda, Warakapola, and Nittambuwa, where he specifically sought out solitary women to rob them of their jewelry and other valuables. Nawarathna’s reign of terror came to an end in November 2003 when he was apprehended by the Special Task Force and the Central Province Special Investigation Unit, following the discovery of his last victim, a young girl from Pamunugama, whose body was found in Hamilton Lake. After his arrest, he was tried and, in July 2012, found guilty of murder by the High Court of Kegalle, receiving a death sentence. His subsequent appeal to the Court of Appeal was dismissed later that same year, solidifying his status as one of Sri Lanka’s most infamous criminals.

Kotakethana Serial Killer

Neil Lakshman, active between 2008 and 2015, was implicated in the murders of six women in the Kahawatta and Kotakethana regions. A comprehensive investigation spanning seven years ultimately uncovered DNA evidence that connected him to several crime scenes. Psychological evaluations indicated that his violent tendencies were likely rooted in childhood trauma; he reportedly experienced profound anger after being ridiculed by an elderly woman during his youth. This early humiliation seemingly fostered a deep-seated resentment towards older women, which experts suggest may explain his choice of victims—primarily single women over the age of 40 who lived alone. Over the course of his criminal activities, Lakshman is believed to have murdered between six and seven women, employing a heavy, sharp weapon to inflict multiple severe injuries, with each victim suffering at least nine significant wounds. Following the brutal attacks, he would place the bodies on a mattress and set the residence ablaze in an attempt to obliterate any evidence of his crimes. His actions were marked by extreme brutality, including instances of rape and vicious assaults with sharp instruments, often culminating in the incineration of the victims or their homes to eliminate traces of his odious acts. In February 2024, the Ratnapura High Court sentenced Lakshman to death for his crimes, bringing a measure of closure to the communities affected by his violent spree.  analyzing murders in the Kahawatta area Vidanapathirana and team (2018) speculated the intriguing possibility of multiple, independent serial killers operating simultaneously within the same region.

The “Beggars’ Killer “

The “Beggars’ Killer was active between 2010 and 2011and exhibited pronounced anti-social traits and confessed to the brutal slaying of 14 individuals, primarily beggars, across nine towns, including Colombo. His modus operandi involved attacking his victims—most of whom were male—while they slept, delivering fatal blows to the head with heavy objects such as granite stones or concrete blocks. The murders took place during the early hours, typically between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM, in locations like Wellawatta, Kotahena, and Slave Island, where he targeted those vulnerable and alone on the streets. Initially feigning an inability to communicate, he later revealed the details of his crimes, accurately identifying all the crime scenes to law enforcement. Of the 14 victims, 13 were beggars—11 men and 2 women—while the remaining victim was a drunken man found sleeping on the pavement. Although robbery was initially suspected as a motive, forensic investigations uncovered elements of ritualistic behaviour and distinct cooling-off periods between the murders. Furthermore, he admitted to attempting to sexually assault one female victim, indicating a complex psychological profile characterized by Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) and a profound internalized disdain for his own social group. As a beggar himself, he projected his self-hatred onto his victims, perceiving them as “worthless” and “burdensome” to society, which fueled his violent actions. Ultimately, he was deemed legally sane and fully cognizant of the ramifications of his brutal acts. Vidanapathirana (2013) concluded that the suspect met clinical criteria for a serial killer, including exhibiting anti-social personality traits and specific “cooling-off” periods between crimes. 

The Rise of Serial Murders in Sri Lanka

The emergence of serial murders in Sri Lanka has become a concerning phenomenon. Factors contributing to this unsettling trend may include socio-economic challenges, psychological issues, and a lack of effective law enforcement strategies to address such heinous crimes. The media coverage surrounding these incidents has further intensified public fear and anxiety, prompting discussions about the underlying causes and potential preventive measures.

The increase in serial murders within a society can often be attributed to a complex interplay of social, psychological, and environmental factors that create a conducive environment for such heinous acts. In areas characterized by significant social fragmentation, where individuals experience isolation, alienation, or a lack of community support, the conditions may inadvertently foster the rise of serial killers (Haggerty& Ellerbrok, 2011). Over the past fifty years in Sri Lanka, the society has undergone dramatic transformations, with social disintegration exacerbated by racial and political violence, particularly during the thirty-year armed conflict. These societal upheavals have instilled a profound sense of mistrust, alienation, and hostility among the populace (Jayatunge, 2015). 

The increase in serial murders in Sri Lanka can be attributed to a range of underlying factors. Mental health issues, coupled with socioeconomic challenges like poverty and unemployment, often lead to feelings of frustration and hopelessness. These emotions can push individuals toward extreme behaviours to regain a sense of control or seek acknowledgment from society. Jayasundara (2021) argues that murder in Sri Lanka is primarily driven by socioeconomic deprivation and low educational attainment, leading individuals from marginalized backgrounds to react with extreme violence to trivial, daily life matters.

Over the past few decades, there has been a notable increase in child abuse, largely due to insufficient child protection measures, resulting in many adults emerging from troubled childhoods.  Over the past two decades, statistics regarding child sexual abuse in Sri Lanka have revealed a troubling trend that underscores the urgent need for intervention and reform.

Maternal deprivation is a prevalent issue in Sri Lanka, particularly among families with lower incomes, where many mothers seek employment opportunities in Middle Eastern countries. This migration often results in children being raised by their grandparents or other relatives, leading to a significant absence of maternal affection and guidance during crucial developmental years. The emotional and psychological ramifications of this separation can be profound, as numerous children experience the effects of maternal deprivation syndrome, which can manifest in various behavioral and emotional challenges. Siriwardhana et al. (2015) argue that maternal labor migration in Sri Lanka leads to significant adverse mental health outcomes, including increased emotional and behavioral problems.

The cycle of trauma has led individuals to channel their frustrations and anger towards society. Additionally, significant social disruptions, such as the uprisings in 1971, the racial riots of 1983, and the prolonged civil war lasting 30 years, have further eroded the social fabric of the nation, contributing to a climate of violence and instability (Somasundaram, 2007). 

Research conducted by Shanafelt and Pino (2015) highlights that the development of serial murderers is influenced by a complex interaction of personal history, psychological characteristics, and prevailing societal conditions. It is essential to recognize that such violent behavior arises not from a singular cause but from a confluence of biopsychosocial factors that culminate in extreme violence. Consequently, understanding the rise of serial killers within Sri Lankan society necessitates an examination of these multifaceted concepts.

The Factors Prevented the Identification of Serial Murders in Sri Lanka

The lack of documented cases of “serial murder” in Sri Lanka before 2003 does not imply that such offenders were absent; instead, a combination of systemic and societal factors hindered their formal acknowledgment. Before this period, law enforcement and the medical community in Sri Lanka often regarded homicides as standalone events, neglecting to investigate potential serial connections.

During the tumultuous times of the JVP insurrection and the protracted armed conflict in the North, the primary focus of police and security forces was on counter-terrorism and national security, which resulted in many individual murder cases being inadequately explored. Furthermore, the absence of a robust criminal profiling system and limited forensic capabilities during this era significantly restricted the authorities’ ability to discern patterns that might suggest serial criminal behaviour.

The case of the Madugoda Serial Killer, who operated between 2000 and 2003, is frequently referenced as the first officially recognized instance of serial murder in the recent history of the country, marking a pivotal moment in the understanding and classification of such crimes in Sri Lanka.

Challenges Faced by Law Enforcement Officers

The challenges faced by law enforcement in Sri Lanka during investigations of serial murderers are both substantial and intricate. A significant issue is the lack of resources, which includes inadequate forensic technology and insufficient specialized training for officers dealing with serial crimes. This highlights the urgent need for ongoing education in areas such as criminal profiling and behavioral analysis. Furthermore, effective communication and collaboration among local police, national law enforcement, and forensic experts are crucial for enhancing evidence collection and identifying patterns across cases.

Understanding the psychological motives of serial killers, along with the socio-economic factors that contribute to their behavior, is essential for developing targeted prevention strategies. Engaging community members in discussions about crime prevention can foster increased awareness and vigilance regarding suspicious activities, while incorporating behavioral analysis into investigations can significantly improve the identification and apprehension of serial offenders.

Social Buffers Against Serial Murder Activity

In Sri Lanka, various social mechanisms serve as protective barriers against the occurrence of serial murders. The community remains highly alert to the presence of unfamiliar individuals, and traditional neighborhood watch initiatives are actively engaged in monitoring local activities. Historically, Sri Lankan society has been characterized by strong interpersonal connections, fostering close-knit communities where residents are generally well-acquainted with each other’s routines and backgrounds. This inherent social cohesion acts as a significant deterrent, complicating the efforts of clandestine, predatory individuals to operate without detection for extended periods. The collective vigilance and interconnectedness of the populace create an environment that is less conducive to the anonymity required for such heinous acts to flourish.

Preventive Measures

To effectively combat the rise of serial murders in Sri Lanka, a comprehensive strategy is imperative, integrating law enforcement enhancements, community participation, and mental health support. Primarily, bolstering the skills of law enforcement personnel through targeted training in criminal profiling and behavioral analysis can greatly enhance their capacity to detect and apprehend potential serial offenders before their actions escalate. Moreover, fostering inter-agency collaboration and leveraging cutting-edge forensic technologies will facilitate the prompt collection and examination of evidence, thereby improving the likelihood of resolving cases efficiently. Equally important is the role of community engagement; public awareness initiatives can empower citizens to recognize and report suspicious activities, creating a vigilant society.

Additionally, addressing root social issues such as poverty and inadequate mental health services is vital in reducing the factors that lead to violent behavior. Establishing robust support systems for vulnerable individuals, including access to counseling and rehabilitation programs, can deter potential offenders from engaging in violence. Furthermore, prioritizing the prevention of child abuse and neglect is crucial, as affected children require psychological support to heal and thrive. By weaving together these diverse strategies, Sri Lanka can develop a holistic framework aimed at diminishing the threat of serial murders and promoting a safer environment for all its citizens.

Personal Communications

Professor Alexandr Bukhanovsky – Psychiatrist
Retired Senior DIG Mr. Nimal Madiwaka
Retired Senior DIG Mr. M.R. Latiff

References

Arrigo BA, Griffin A. Serial murder and the case of Aileen Wuornos: attachment theory, psychopathy, and predatory aggression. Behav Sci Law. 2004;22(3):375-93. doi: 10.1002/bsl.583. PMID: 15211558.

Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2005). Serial murder: Multi-disciplinary perspectives for investigators. U.S. Department of Justice. https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/stats-services-publications-serial-murder-serial-murder-july-2008-pdf.

Haggerty, K. D., & Ellerbrok, A. (2011). The social study of serial killers. Criminal Justice Matters, 86(1), 6–7. doi.org.

Hare, R. D. (1999). *Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us*. Guilford Press.

Hickey, E. W. (2016). Serial murderers and their victims (6th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Jayasundara, M. W. (2021). Factors that influence individuals to become murderers in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 5(1), 407–414.

Jayatunge, R.M.(2015). The Psychological Impact of Political Violence in Sri Lanka. Groundviews https://groundviews.org/2010/04/20/the-psychological-impact-of-political-violence-in-sri-lanka/

Leyton, E. (2005). Hunting humans: The rise of the modern multiple murderer. McClelland & Stewart. (Original work published 1986).

Marono AJ, Reid S, Yaksic E, Keatley DA. A Behaviour Sequence Analysis of Serial Killers’ Lives: From Childhood Abuse to Methods of Murder. Psychiatr Psychol Law. 2020 Feb 6;27(1):126-137. doi: 10.1080/13218719.2019.1695517. PMID: 32284784; PMCID: PMC7144278.

Reid, S. (2016). Compulsive criminal homicide: A new nosology for serial murder. Aggression and Violent Behavior, doi: 10.1016/j.avb.2016.11.005.

Shanafelt, R., & Pino, N. W. (2015). The evolution of serial homicide: A multidisciplinary approach. Academic Press.

Siriwardhana, C., Wickramage, K., Jayaweera, K., Sahabandu, S., Hui, H. G., Sharma, J., & Sumathipala, A. (2015). Impact of maternal migration on mental health and well-being of children left behind: A cross-sectional study in Sri Lanka. BMC Public Health, 15(1), 1–11. doi.org.

Somasundaram, D. (2007). Collective trauma in northern Sri Lanka: A qualitative psychosocial-ecological study. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 1(7). doi.org.

Stone, M. H. (2001). Personality disorders in serial killers. American Journal of Forensic Psychiatry, 22(1), 5–15.

Tiihonen, J., Rautiainen, M. R., Ollila, H. M., Repo-Tiihonen, E., Virkkunen, M., Palotie, A., Pietiläinen, O., Kristiansson, K., Hosrud, G. L., Lindberg, N., Eriksson, J. G., Belliveau, R. A., Curtis, C. P., Chatterton, Z., & Lähteenvuo, M. (2015). Genetic background of extreme violent behavior. Molecular Psychiatry, 20(6), 786–792. doi.org.

Vidanapathirana, M. (2013). Have thirteen beggars been killed by a serial killer? Galle Medical Journal, 18(2), 17–22.

Vidanapathirana, M., Ruwanpura, R. P., Illeperuma, R. J., Attygalle, U., Dasanayake, P. B., Wijewardene, H., Gunathilake, T. K. M. B., Wijetunga, K. W. M. B., & Rathnayake, I. (2018). Medico-legal investigation of a series of female murders in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka, 6(2), 55–63. doi.org.

Sarath Wijesinghe (President’s Counsel, LLM International Law London UCL, Solicitor in England and Wales former Ambassador to UAE and Israel and former Secretary Bar Association of Sri Lanka, President Ambassador’s Forum)

Justice Delayed is Justice denied

Justice delays is justice denied is the famous quotation by ‘’Lord William Gladstone’’ said on legal system –  indicating that this  old and worldwide issue that needs attention still in the main agenda in the modern society still prevails, timely and current.  Laws delays retards development, affects law and order, encourages crime while discouraging foreign investments and good will that needs for a country, Image of the nation is shattered, brings down doing well index, productivity is fallen with the loss of confidence of the citizen and the foreigners planning to invest, and generally affects foreign policy and the image of the country that needs in all respects in devilments and conduct in the family of nations on the globe. Laws, delays blocks all other cogs of the governance system in the hub of activity and productivity. Laws delays measure indicates the image and the standard of a country in the community of nations. Some countries have minimized the laws delays but many have not. Sri Lanka is not the only country that suffers from laws delays due to various reasons and interpretations given when other countries are aware of the issue and finding solutions, taking corrective measures. When legal system paralyzes the other parts of the system follow suit leading to a slow decay and a grinding halt of the system partially or completely in the end. Laws delays are rampant in Sri Lanka. It takes decades (15 to 25 years and sometimes more) to reach the rape murder and major crimes to the trial stage with the witness are dead or cannot be traced that are reported so often on the media. Civil cases are the same especially partition and many civil suits stagnate in Court of Appeal and Supreme Courts moving up and downward on appeals refusals ect with technicalities and complicated  appeals procedure. By the time  the trials on rape cases are taken up for trial the victims are matured  married and the evidence is shattered with the conducting police officers and government servants dead or cannot be traced on transfer and cannot be found and the victims may lose interest due to social impediments. Some civil cases delay for generations.

Take Law to your own hands

It may come to a stage when litigants prefer to resort to other means to resolve their disputes by themselves may be with the underworld , because litigation is so expensive, delayed ,unfair,  complicated  and time-consuming (mostly) proving the famous village adage that ‘’those who resort to litigation destroys themselves.’’ ‘’Nadu Yanno Wanasanno ‘’Civil and partition cases are the most time consuming that some partition cases are delayed up to 30 years or more   with litigants part with the rest of the property for legal expenditure which are true incidents. ‘’Vinodes’’ case in India of the murder of 5 year child took 22 years with 36 witnesses to testify. It is almost same in Sri Lanka. In UK the backlog of 63000 cases is still not resolved according to Law Society Gazette but they are improving fast using modern technology and methods. In Sri Lanka five family members were convicted of murder recently for the offence committed in 2009. Examples in Sri Lanka are numerous. When the cases of rape, juvenile, offence are taken up for trial, on children, girls are they may be married, abroad or the witnesses may be missing. 10 year child was molested and it took 11 years to reach the trial stage when the child is a matured person and the accused was missing. At times land civil cases take two to three decades to reach the trial stage thereby the citizen loose the trust on the court system and resort to take laws into their hands while loose trust on the legal system at all, increasing the crime rate as a result. Litigation in Sri Lanka is expensive and complicated in view of the complexity of the legal system which is a mixture of Roman Dutch, English, and personal laws in the complicated legal process expensive to handle. In UK there is one system of law to all including immigrants vociferous and in large numbers. This issue is discussed spoken with no permanent or proper solutions found yet. We must have a simple law for all understood by all, instead of depending on legal systems such as Penal Code introduced in 1800’s. Personnel laws to be streamlined including ‘’Thesawalami’’powerful and traditional personal law confined to Jafna.UK is keeping pace with the new trends when we still cling into the systems inherited by colonel masters. There is a functioning law committee of BASL and Law Reforms Committee supposed to be active but inert and inactive. Yet laws delays is rampant. These are not exaggerations which is experienced by 10% populating engaged in litigation today still increasing.

Alternate ways of resolution of cases

This is happening worldwide especially in  financial hubs that needs speedy justice such as Arbitration, Conciliation, and other ways of speedy resolutions of disputes, which are fast and less time-consuming tough and  expensive. Singapore, Japan, UK, EU have centres for alternate dispute resolutions. In UK, Europe and even in India small claims courts are available with less complicated procedure without lawyers for the litigants to handle own litigation is a different  friendly atmosphere, which is a successful process ideal to be followed in Sri Lanka too, with a proposition to upgrade mediation centres to small claim courts.

Pending with backlog of cases

There are around 750,000 unresolved cases in the Magistrate courts. With 3486 cases pending in the Supreme Courts,4817 cases pending in the Court of Appeal, 5870 in the civil appellate court, 16811 in High Courts, 167945 in District Courts, 200000 on pending mediation and in labour tribunals and arbitration trials, with 11 judges per one million. (Statistics are changing based on different research groups led by Ministry of Justice) Laws delays has an impact on the crime and disturbances in the society in losing the trust on the system which has an impact on the economy and the trade when traders are disturbed with no quick solution on the resolution of their disputes with the most expensive and complicated commercial High Court not accessible to the ordinary trader. It has a direct relevance and impact on increase of crime and prison congestion and unrest. Speedy resolution in litigation is a pre-condition and a pre requisite on foreign investments and investors who are disappointed with the system in Sri Lanka and the quality of the legal profession which includes judiciary on knowledge, competency and conduct which is a serious drawback on development and investment. Lawyers and legal system plays a pivotal role in development and business in other parts of the world expecting us to maintain high standards.

Competency and Honour of the Legal Professionals and Judges

 Are our lawyers, Judges  and legal system living up to expectations and on  international standards is a moot issue compared to standards maintained by small but developed countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong and some Caribbean counties engaged in international law and business with the world.  These are experienced by average citizen who will have no good word on the legal system, the general conduct and it is the duty of the profession and professionals to work on a programme to save the nation and the profession on adverse inferences which affect all. It is a pity that foreign legal firms engage in practice in Sri Lanka with the cover of juniors Sri Lankan lawyers in multibillion transactions involving billions and/or they carry on legal work online which Sri Lankan Lawyers must take serious notice of. It is to be noted that the competence dedication and knowledge is to be improved to the expected levels if not on international standards. Bar council in India has allowed entry of foreign lawyers which is a significant development to keep pace with the world trends with transparency and challenging which is a matter that Sri Lank should follow. UK and Sri Lanka had reciprocity on the court audience for the lawyers in both jurisdiction could practice with professional arrangements made. Sri Lankan Attorneys-at law could engage in legal practice in UK having obtained qualifications form the Law Society and permission from the Bar Council permission engage in legal practice as Barrister at law until Sri Lankan side unilaterally declined to proceed, which is a pity in deed and it is time to restore in the interest of the younger generation awaiting to see the world with new visions and education from international universities a matter that has to be looked into by the Minister of Justice.

Lawyers Law College Bar Association and the Ministry of Justice

These are main groups in dealing with laws delays and implications, and main institutions of justice to the benefit of the sociality for their grievances in resolution of dispute3s, for justice and fair play, in protecting the life and property of the citizen. Lawyers are a product of Law College- the only professional training institution in Sri Lanka managed by the Council of Legal education to produce lawyers in Sri Lanka and to train them for the professional training CLE headed by the Chief Justice and majority of Supreme Court Judges. Currently there are over 18000 lawyers in Sri Lanka The Law College is managed in which they obtain mandatory membership of the Bar Association which is the only main recognized association for lawyers, The Law College is administrated by the Council of Legal Education also headed by the Chief Justice, who are extremely busy and requiring academic excellence and international exposure.

Minister Ministry of Justice Attorney General and Legal Draftsman

Ministry of Justice is headed generally by a lawyer who will mastermind the conduct of the judicial system and administration who also plan and involve in appointments and strategies with the AGs Department, Judiciary, Legal Draftsman, Court and Office (court offices only and not ‘courts’ or judges ) administration countrywide with the general impression of one of the most corrupt among Motor Traffic, Customs, Passport/ID and similar institutions with a reputation of institution of questionable nature which is only applicable to the corrupt lot  leaving  aside the honest officers. Reputation power and conduct of Minister of Justice depends on his personality and management skills of the process in delivery of justice to the citizen by the concerned parties in the process the Minister is playing a key role, in delivery of justice to the citizen offering a fair independent and effective system of justice. Generally the minister of justice has traditionally been an inactive and inert institution in the past until Hon;felix Dias Bandaraneika’s introduction of the Administration of Justice Law act 44 of 1974 was enacted to  help the poor and needy litigants with drastic reforms on a mixture USA and many models  including serving summons using modern technology, and many other steps to make the system simple, affordable and safe and to encourage personal representation in litigation, encouraging  mediation, and reconciliation, A powerful group of lawyers led by Mr H W  Jayawrdena QC, protested against the law reforms and the act was scrapped from the change of government then. People did not understand the admirable attempts made on legal reforms, by increasing the number of judges, introducing drastic changes in modernizing and innovative changes proposed by him (Felix) who became immensely unpopular among the legal fraternity died an unhappy person after a brief illness as a cancer patient- a great man with a vision and intellect  indeed- Attorney-General who is an institution as the advisor to the state plays a pivotal role in representing and advising the state in all matters, whilst expected to be fair and impartial. Legal draftsman holds an important position in drafting and mauling legislation to be submitted to the lawmakers.

Trends of modernization of the legal system

Trends and conduct of young lawyers have been encouraging with the modern BASL trends. Rajive Amarasuriys the past Secretary has conducted a record number of webinars on varied subjects which is credible. Past President and an able law teacher controversial Saliya Peris PC – yet concentrated more towards social reforms than legal reforms, has been for moderation trends, and the legal profession expects lot more from the current pair Isuru Balapathab and (Secretary) and Kaushliya Nawaratna President elect) to be more proactive and modern who appears to be more balanced and professional to lead the professional during the new era. The writer has been once the General Secretary of BASL and Administer Legal Aid Commission acknowledges the assistance given to him during his tenure of office on the initiation and expanding the fundamental rights Jurisdiction to what it is today, with many steps such as life membership, diary which is a pocket book for all professionals, initiation of law reports are pleasant memories. There are good trends on digitalization, yet introduction of transferring files via email, what Sapp, hearing cases zoom, are to be encouraged and introduced with the world trends to attract international players.

Judiciary and Legal Aid on administration of justice aiming at prevention of laws delays

By passing arbitrary judgements does a man become wise? A wise man is one who investigate both right and wrong ‘’Dhammapada ‘’

Judges are a main component of the system of administration of justice acting as umpires in the adversarial system we follow in Sri Lana as any other commonwealth nation. Today judges are well-paid remunerated and protected and they are protected unlike few years ago when they were not looked after so well.  They are politically insulated who are responsible for ultimate decisions on life and property and protection of personal and property rights and rights of the citizen with highest expectations of justice and fair play. They must be temperamentally suited with judicial temperament for the responsibility thrust on them living glass boxes scrutinized by the public for independence. Some judicial officials especially in the minor judiciary are unsuited to be a judge in when they are mentally and temporarily does not deliver justice fairly and carefully. Sadly we receive bad news on judiciary and lawyer on their conduct which is worrying in deed. It is necessary for judges to go through a rigorous training period as in other countries. Whether it is happening is a moot issue. Knowledge and competency of the higher judiciary should be revived considering the judgments they deliver and reluctance on promptly effectively and properly. Legal aid is not a favour but  a human right as in UK , where the citizen is entitled to a fair hearing for a reasonable/affordable fee and expenditure for which legal aid is given in the advanced society with an advance system of legal aid available in the UK and commonwealth jurisdictions where a similar system is inherited to Sri Lanka modified to  function as the legal aid commission jointly managed by the Judiciary, Bar Association and the Ministry of Justice for the delivery of justice at an affordable price. One of the main reasons of laws delays is the cost and complexity of litigation and combination of legal systems such as Roman Dutch Law, traditions personal laws, English law and international/traditional law and conventions and it is the duty of the BASL and the profession to find ways to make law simple for the common man and assist the legal aid system scheme as in UK where eligible litigant is entitled to legally up to the services of the QC. In the adversely system the judge acts as an umpire when the parties to litigation make representation on behalf of clients which is expensive when the litigant is expected not to have a sound knowledge of law. Therefore our system there should be changes for the judge to intervene as in a civil system where Judge takes a main role also encouraging mediation and settlements with system of prehearing where the cases in UK are settle date at the door step (idiomatic meaning) by lawyers who act strictly professionally to assist expedition disposition which helps them and the reputation of the profession. In Sri Lanka sometimes Judges are mere umpires when at times we are blessed with top judges. In expeditious disposition of cases the judge’s involvement/leadership is paramount so that some judges resolve cases with ease reasonably and family. Judge play a main role in delivery of justice and prevent laws delays. Some judges are smart and fast but if they have a common approach with targets by the Judicial Service Commission to supervise judges with guidelines the results will be overwhelming.

Way forward in providing delivery of speedy justice to the citizen – the need of the hour

Laws delays is a pain on the citizen awaiting a peaceful and conformable life due to no fault of himself, where many external factors are responsible for the agony. Lawyers should be educated, committed , concerned on the community  and abide by the rules and customs on practice and procedure,  Judges should be fair educated human beings act professionally with judicial temperament, Legal system should be clear and understood to all equally as the citizen is presumed to possess knowledge of law and procedure, The court system and the staff is to be efficient and free from bribery and corruption, there should be speedy disposition of cases provided at an affordable expenses and free legal aid for these cannot afford to. Confidence and trust on the Judiciary legal profession and the court structure is paramount and the system including supporting institutions on reports, information, need to be provided at the time for the inquiring process. Are lawyers and their conduct a part of the problem? Partially yes! It is time for them to realise the expeditious disposition will help them the profession and the nation in the long run! In order to gain the trust and confidence of investors expecting and efficient legal system in the host country. Improving language and IT skills of the professionals is also of great importance in the process. The system should run smoothly with the documents, reports and the support and cooperation of the staff and statutory bodies. The Ministry of Justice is acting a pivotal role as the provider of services and decision maker in appointments   policy making decisions and the success depends on the understanding and commitment of all parties who should act together for the betterment of the society they are blessed with.  Legal profession has the main responsibility, being the profession providing the judiciary, and Attorney General primarily lawyers pledge to serve the society in safe guarding human rights, properly delivery of legal service and acting as officer of courts assisting the judiciary. Laws delays affects every citizen and it must be checked and curtailed in the interest of the nation at large, a joint exercise by the legal profession, Judiciary, Ministry and the community civil society and greater community.

Sarath7@hotmail.co.uk/sarathdw28@gmail.com/009477780166/FB /sarathwijesinghe

 Sarath Wijesinghe- a former Secretary of the Bar Association – former Ambassador to UAE and Israel

(Not by passing arbitrary judgments does a man become wise? A wise man is one who investigates both right and the wrong. He who does not judge others arbitrarily according to the truth, that sagacious man is a guardian of law and is called just. One is not wise because one speaks much. He who is peaceful, friendly and fearless is called wise. A man is not versed in Dhamma because he speaks much. He who, after hearing a little Dhamma, realizes its truth directly and is not heedless of it is truly versed in Dhammapada.”)

DO WE ENJOY INDEPENDENCE OF JUDICIARY IN SRI LANKA?

e-Con e-News

blog: https://eesrilanka.wordpress.com

‘Before you study the economics, study the economists!’

*

e-Con e-News 22-28 February 2026

*

‘Seize assets, expel spies, expose lies, change the narrative’

– Simon Tisdall, Guardian (see ee Sovereignty,

‘Lunatic Voice of The Day’)

The arrest this week of former State Intelligence Service (SIS) chief Suresh Sallay preludes the possible arrest of former President Gotabaya Rajapakse, as demanded by the US, England & Europe – prescient analysts surmise. This follows recent revelations that the CIA was behind the popularly elected Rajapakse’s forcible expulsion in 2022 (see ee Sovereignty, Gotabaya says he was kicked out by a CIA game, played by those around him). Such controversial arrests are expected to lead to further turmoil, and are meant to divert from the economic paralysis in Sri Lanka engendered by the USA’s International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the continued obstructing of a modern industrial country. These arrests, aimed at demoralizing & dividing the Sinhala majority, are being linked to the recent pressures by English & US officials, and US, Israeli & Indian preparations for escalating wars in the Indian Ocean.

     The US/Israeli bombardment of Iran & the murder of their 87-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei this weekend, has sent the ruling media in Sri Lanka into a blue funk, with news of unidentified foreign aircraft being reported overhead, as oil prices are being zoomed, as well as Sri Lanka’s access to West Asian fuel, commodity & labor markets, being constricted. What are friends for?

     The Anglo-US-led assassination of Sri Lanka’s 4^th Prime Minister SWRD Bandaranaike in 1959 was presaged by the Anglo-US overthrow, imprisonment & torture of Iran’s first elected leader Mohamed Mossadegh. That 1953 coup on behalf of USA’s Exxon and England’s British Petroleum, amidst the US-led genocidal wars to divide Korea & Vietnam, itself signaled a series of coups & assassinations to thwart the post-World-War-II anti-colonial movements around the world.

     The USA is escalating yet another (possibly nuclear) war (using Israel as their battering ram), to prevent Asia from slipping further from their colonial grip – to abort the birth of a better world. The US is trying to control Iran’s choices about their own forms of energy. The US claim that Iran is enriching uranium to make weapons is part of a long-term plan to attack and destroy Iran. The attack was made while negotiations were ongoing. England too sabotaged Sri Lanka’s attempt to achieve even hydroelectric self-sufficiency via the undermining of DJ Wimalasurendra’s vision over a 100 years ago. Their plan is to prevent our existence as modern nations.

     Much of Asia remain as colonial outposts, if not in name, with 10,000s of US troops stationed on bases in supposedly independent countries, as in West Asia, Japan, etc, with piratical US Navy and allied ships prowling the ocean. While media like to promote Israel as an autonomous plot by evil Jews, it is clear they are an extension of Europe’s white settler colonies. Last week’s ee noted the Black Agenda Report’s exposé of the attempt to set up an Israeli branch settler colony inside Kenya, which had echoes of the encroachments in Sri Lanka’s east in Arugam Bay.

*

• Colombo Port simply exists to serve US interests, and the rest of Sri Lanka is a mere appendage of its harbours – so suggested the US Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires Jayne Howell last week at their AmCham Elevate Sri Lanka CEO Forum 2026. The US embassy has also not provided the names of the ‘over 250 C-level executives, policymakers, development partners, & global thought leaders’, who they said would attend their ‘CEO Forum’. Howell repeated holy gospel that US foreign policy operates to make their own country, ‘safer, stronger, & more prosperous’. Is this new? Maybe she wishes to school our diplomats, that they too, should first look out for Sri Lanka’s safety, power & wealth. ‘Our’ foreign service have perhaps not learned this truism already from their worldwide travels. They could also learn that the USA supposedly only now recognizes that its riches are actually based, not only on its piracies, but also on its modern industrial power.

     Howell goes into their usual whine, blaming Sri Lanka’s ‘regulatory unpredictability, bureaucratic barriers, inconsistent standards, and opaque procurement processes.’ Unpredictability? Surely this fits US policy even better.  Colonial commentators use euphemisms of ‘global disruption’ & ‘turbulence’, rather than state it is US-led imperialism that seeks to further destabilize the world, through escalating another world war, in order to maintain its hegemony. The ease with which English media reported the kidnapping of the leader of a sovereign country (Venezuela) as ‘capture’ & ‘arrest’ only shows how sickeningly slavish these ‘free’ scribes are to their colonial masters.

     Howell added that her real bosses, US capitalists, ‘nevertheless see opportunity in Sri Lanka: The Port of Colombo is a powerful example of how our economic interests converge.’ As South Asia’s ‘leading container transshipment hub’, the Colombo Port’s ‘planned expansion to 15 million containers by 2027 is expected to improve supply chain efficiency for US manufacturers & consumers’. So there! We exist to satiate their whims & lubricate their wars. Last week saw the armed seizure of the Hong-Kong-corporate-run port terminals in the Panama Canal and the chasing away of Panamanian & Hong Kong staff. This followed threats from US President Trump that his country’s armed forces would invade Panama unless the area was rid of ‘Chinese soldiers!’ A pure fabrication unchallenged by their media. (see ee Random Notes)

*

     As a prelude to engulfing the world’s oceans in their wars, the trail of US tools & puppets into Sri Lanka has continued in recent weeks, from the IMF chief, to the US Pacific Fleet Commander, and a host of other, lesser, Indian, English & other sermon-givers, all bearing trojan-horse gifts, of ships & bridges, and ‘tariff-free market access’ & ‘sourcing flexibilities’, etc.

     No media chooses to mention that such ‘gifts’ of hardware & software & market access, always come with hidden ‘backdoors’ & ‘kill-switches’ to enable these ‘philanthropists’ to infiltrate, access information & take control of their gifts at their majestic pleasure. The ability to disable such intrusions requires a modern industrial culture.

*

• The Indian-owned MAS Group says, their controversial decision to close their Methliya Kreeda garment factory in Thulhiriya, and lay off over at least 2,000 workers, is ‘to ‘transition’ into a fabric manufacturing plant, clearly highlighting the company’s growing strategy to create an increasing base for fabrics.’ This decision curiously follows visits by the English High Commissioner to garment factories. So does this ‘High Commissioner’ make his high commissions from the materials (machines to tools to threads, etc) the English supply to the rag trade here – which they claim to have been involved in from the very beginning, at least from the 1980s? And it is a trade. It is not an industry. We make not a needle or a thread, let alone a machine. Why doesn’t the Japanese Juki Corp. transfer the ability to make parts for their ubiquitous and eponymous sewing machines? Why haven’t MAS and Brandix invested their enormous profits all these years in increasing productivity? Why have they not invested in making a needle or thread to reduce production costs? The media about the rag trade has only been to highlight the supposed munificence of the English providing tariff-free access to their markets. Why such generosity? We reproduce the Communist Party’s insights into the layoff and continued devastation of Sri Lanka’s ‘industrial base’ (see ee Random Notes). They importantly point to how this once state-owned textile plant was set up with the support of East Germany‘s socialist government, and was then devastated by the reckless privatization of the post-1977 JR ‘Yankee Dicky’ Jayawardene regime:

*

‘In the context of global geopolitical competition

in the Indian Ocean region, Sri Lanka’s economic

vulnerability becomes even more dangerous…’

• In this week’s ee Focus, key moments in the 83-year-old trajectory of Sri Lanka’s Communist Party, from its founding in 1943 to its 23^rd Congress last week, is tracked by CPSL Chairman DEW Gunasekera. CPSL Congresses have always taken place at crucial moments, and Gunasekera recalls the role the CPSL has played in guiding Sri Lanka’s anti-imperialist leadership in the formation of the 1955 Bandung Conference & the Non-aligned Movement, which reached its peak in the 1970s. Capitalism counterattacked attempts at true ‘independence’, through further monopolization, escalating economic exploitation, unequal power & financialization of economies – the rise of rentierism, of making money from money, and calling it growth (see ee Random Notes, Ireland’s Paper Rich).

‘Sri Lanka’s crisis culminated on 12 April 2022, when the

government declared suspension of external debt payments’

Gunasekera also analyses ‘Sri Lanka’s Triple Crisis’ in the running out of rupees, dollars, and the inability to repay domestic & external borrowing, which has rendered us even more vulnerable to imperialist dictates. Gunasekera tracks the rising resistance to this aggression as witnessed in the structural economic shift internationally towards Asia, and deepening integration of Asia, Africa & the real Americas, which the colonizing regimes are trying to prevent at all cost.

*

• One of SBD de Silva’s more incisive insights was the curious lack of an Economic History of Sri Lanka. Instead, we have been inundated with all manner of political and cultural narratives, ‘ethnic’ histories, bereft of economic underpinnings, funded by the Oxfords & Fords & other intellectual paymasters of this world.

The government intervened to force local labour on to

the plantations by raising the rent on peasant farms

‘progressively & systematically’ and by small grants

of land offered as a bait to land-hungry peasants

Many are the sheer fictions about our past, and one of the most enduring and much-bruited forgeries is the claim that the Sinhala being lazy, refused to work on the English plantations. ‘How was a low-wage economy created in the face of persistent labour shortages, & why did indigenous peasants not take up plantation employment?’ are the questions this excerpt of SBD de Silva’s classic, The Political Economy of Underdevelopment, seeks to answer.He responds to the many English myths about why their plantations resorted to unfree migrant labor from South India, and different times of ‘phenomenal’ demand for labor, and the battle between planters & ‘kanganies’ over controlling labor supply, and the role played by the English state. SBD also pointed to the ‘thriving’ involvement of Sinhala workers in graphite mining. Yet:

‘The insuperable aversion of the Sinhalese

to personal exertion renders it impractical

to procure labour for Public Service

other than by compulsion‘

SBD’s chapter also demolishes the myth that ‘the handling of money was a natural propensity of Europeans’. He also detailed a long list of published English insults about Sinhala people’s supposed laziness (repeated to this day by economists), when all they were objecting to was slave labor.

*

• The supposed public interrogation of former US President Will Clinton & his spouse Hillary of their possible involvement in a child-sex-trafficking ring run by financier Jeffrey Epstein, is a diversionary charade from their more heinous crimes of waging wars on whole countries, Libya, Afghanistan, etc. Even when confessing to crime the imperialist media machine always want to show how much better and valued they are. The killing of a Black person (this includes so-called Latinos & Asians) in the USA may last one news cycle, while killing of a white lasts several more cycles. Mass killings of Blacks (in wars, accidents, etc.) elsewhere may not get even one full cycle. The point of the exercise is to pay the psychological wage to whites, that 20 or 100 Blacks equals just 1 white!

     US law used to treat a Black person has 2-3rds of a white person. Even after declaring Black people as persons, the USA has continued to pay Black people, 2-3rds of what they pay whites (and this contrast is even worse for what US Corporations pay people around the world). The USA claims to have abolished slavery, yet the 13^th amendment to their constitution has allowed slavery to continue in their prisons. Hence, most US prisoners (inside & outside the USA, including their secret prisons) are Black. The US 14^th amendment that declared Black people as ‘persons’, was passed to slip through that corporations were also persons! ‘Person’apparently is traced back to the Latin ‘persona’ for ‘mask’. And ‘hypocrite’ is from the Greek word for ‘actor’. Masks & Actors indeed! The English word ‘reason’ is from ‘ratio’. And English word ‘ratio’ is from the Latin ‘rat’: to reckon! Go reckon all this English, if you smell a rat!

*

_________

Contents:

USA Signals Seizure of Colombo Port

Sasanka De Silva

Rating: ⭐☆☆☆☆

I am writing this to alert the traveling public about the unprofessional and, in my view, premeditated “delay tactics” employed by the management at North Gate Jaffna—specifically a manager named Manoj.

The Incident

On February 28, 2026, I contacted the hotel via telephone and WhatsApp at 18:22 local time to address an urgent cancellation request for an upcoming stay (March 6th–8th). The cancellation was necessitated by the volatile security situation in the Middle East. Despite providing what should have been more than sufficient notice for a professional establishment to act, the management chose to stall.

The Tactic: “Running Down the Clock”

Rather than resolving the issue or responding with the urgency the situation demanded, the hotel intentionally delayed sending a formal email response for three hours. This was not a “busy” period; it was a strategic move to ensure I could not respond effectively before they could enforce “fine print” penalty clauses.

Why This Matters to Future Guests:

• Bad Faith Practices: In the global hospitality industry, a three-hour lag for an urgent, time-sensitive request is unheard of. It suggests a lack of transparency and a culture of “running down the clock” to secure a cancellation fee.
• Weaponizing the Fine Print: Instead of focusing on guest satisfaction or the reality of a global crisis, this hotel hides behind technicalities to justify a failure in basic service.
• Zero Accountability: My attempts to resolve this reasonably were met with rigid, premeditated obstacles designed to protect the hotel’s bottom line at the guest’s expense.

Final Verdict

North Gate Jaffna has failed miserably in its duty of care. If you value professional communication, honest business ethics, and a management team that acts in good faith, look elsewhere. Do not let their “fine print” be used against you after they’ve intentionally delayed assisting you.

Note: Formal complaints have been lodged with local consumer protection agencies regarding these practices.

Sasanka De Silva

Makumbura.

Ps – This is a community awareness post and no malice intended. 

By Palitha Ariyarathna

(Source: All Ceylon Buddhist Congress Facebook Page )

2026-2-21

Synopsis  Sri Lanka is a civilizational state — consecrated to the Buddha Sasana for over 2,570 years. From King Pandukabhaya to King Dutugemunu, from Mahiyangana to Anuradhapura, this island was offered to the Buddha. The four Buddhas — Kakusandha, Konagamana, Kassapa, and Gautama — link Lanka to sacred continuity. Colonial powers called it Ceylon, but its true name is Lanka: one, indivisible, eternal. Article 2 declares unity, Article 9 gives Buddhism the foremost place, and the Sixth Amendment rejects separatism. Together, they are the shield of the Constitution, the guardian of the Sasana, and the eternal duty of the nation.

Sri Lanka is not merely a republic born in 1948. It is a civilizational state consecrated to the Buddha Sasana for over 2,570 years. From the arrival of Mahinda Thera, this island was offered as a pujā to the Buddha. Kings such as Pandukabhaya, Devanampiya Tissa, Dutugemunu, Valagamba, Parakramabahu, and Parakramabahu VI reaffirmed this dedication. The Mahavamsa records how rulers saw their authority not as privilege but as guardianship of the Sasana. Therefore, the civilizational rights of this land are native, original, and sacred. They cannot be displaced by temporary politics, foreign agendas, or separatist myths.

From King Pandukabhaya who organized Anuradhapura, to King Devanampiya Tissa who received Mahinda Thera, to King Dutugemunu who fought to protect the Sasana, Sri Lanka’s rulers understood their duty. King Valagamba rebuilt temples after invasions. King Parakramabahu unified the Sangha to restore discipline. Each ruler saw his authority as guardianship, not privilege. The chronicles speak of four Buddhas born in this world: Kakusandha, Konagamana, Kassapa, and Gautama. Each Buddha’s dispensation touched lands across Oja Dveepa, Wara Dveepa, Manda Dveepa, and Sinhala Dveepa, but Sri Lanka was uniquely consecrated to Gautama Buddha’s Sasana. Sacred sites such as Mahiyangana, Thuparama, Ruwanwelisaya, and Sri Maha Bodhi are civilizational anchors linking Sri Lanka to the lineage of the Buddhas. Thus, Ceylon as colonial powers called it is not just geography. It is a sacred trust, a land offered to the Sasana.

The Portuguese came with the cross and the sword. They burned temples, destroyed manuscripts, and forced conversions. Yet the Sasana survived in the villages, protected by monks who carried the Dhamma in their hearts. The Dutch came with Calvinism, restricting Buddhist practice and undermining Kandyan traditions. Yet the Kandyan kings defended the Sasana, showing civilizational resilience. The British came with missionary schools, Christianization, and the destruction of Buddhist education. Yet Anagarika Dharmapala, Olcott, and the Buddhist Theosophical Society revived the Sasana. Article 9 is the fruit of that revival. It is the modern continuation of centuries of resistance.

The LTTE’s separatist war was not a struggle for rights; it was a war against civilizational truth. Prabhakaran’s ideology aimed to erase Sinhala Buddhist presence from the North and East. The LTTE attacked pilgrims, destroyed villages, and assassinated monks. They expelled Muslims from Jaffna, silenced Tamil leaders who opposed them, and terrorized civilians. This was not liberation; it was terrorism. The humanitarian war of the Sri Lankan Army rescued hundreds of thousands of Tamil civilians held hostage. The so‑called Eelam country” collapsed under its own falsehood. It was never a nation, never a state, never a civilizational truth. It was a terrorist project, rejected by the Constitution, defeated by the Army, and exposed by scholars.

The Tamil diaspora speaks of Sinhala Buddhists as colonizers, oppressors, and chauvinists. They lobby in foreign capitals, spreading words that erase civilizational truth. Tamil leaders within Sri Lanka call temples in the North and East colonization,” ignoring the chronicles that record ancient viharas in those lands. They demand federalism and power devolution beyond the Constitution. But Article 2 declares Sri Lanka a Unitary State. The Sixth Amendment criminalizes advocacy of secession. No meeting, no resolution, no speech can override this. The fake Eelam concept is not a right; it is a violation.

The diaspora’s revival of the Vaddukoddai Resolution (1976) and the LTTE’s separatist ideology is a direct violation of the Sixth Amendment (1983), which criminalizes advocacy of secession. Every attempt to stage Vaddukoddai‑style meetings in later years, whether through diaspora conferences, Tamil Nadu rhetoric, or separatist protests such as the so‑called Black Day” in February 2026, is illegal in our motherland. These gatherings are not exercises of rights; they are violations of the Constitution and betrayals of civilizational truth.

The book Eelam Exposed by L.K.N. Perera dismantles the myth of Eelam with historical and legal evidence. It reveals the nakedness of Tamil politicians who misled their people with false promises of a separate state. It shows, with rare sources, that the Eelam concept is a fabrication. The chronicles, the foreign accounts, the archaeological record all prove that Sri Lanka is one, indivisible, consecrated to the Sasana. Scholarship and sacrifice together expose separatism as falsehood.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake speaks of protecting Buddhism, yet his earlier rhetoric treated Sinhala Buddhist nationalism as an obstacle. Lal Kantha insulted monks, condemned by the Asgiri Chapter. Harini Amarasuriya misrepresented the LTTE war as mere political gain, ignoring separatist violence. Tilvin Silva guided the JVP with Marxist secularism, yet now speaks of protecting Article 9. Maithripala Sirisena promised protection, yet allowed debates to dilute it. Chandrika Kumaratunga spoke of reconciliation while exploring secular frameworks. Ranil Wickremesinghe reassured Buddhists, yet earlier aligned with donor‑driven reforms. These are not genuine defenses of Buddhism. They are Trojan horses outward gestures for votes, inward concessions to secularism.

No policy builder, politician, or external actor has any lawful right to bypass, dilute, or delete Article 9 — for to do so is not merely a legal violation, but a betrayal of Sri Lanka’s civilizational trust.”-Palitha Ariyarathna

Any attempt to abolish, bypass, or dilute Article 9 is a direct threat to the nation. The Buddha Sasana, and the Dhamma within it, must never be subjected to internal or external manipulation. All parties within the State, and all forces outside it, whether local or foreign, are bound to respect this sacred trust. To interfere with it is to commit an unlawful act, to betray the civilizational foundation, and to violate the rightful inheritance of the Bhikkhu, Bhikkhuni, Upasaka, and Upasika. This inheritance is eternal, and it is non‑negotiable.

Article 9 is eternal. Article 2 declares Sri Lanka a Unitary State. The Sixth Amendment criminalizes separatism. The humanitarian war defeated terrorism. Scholarship exposed the myth. Together they form the shield of the nation. The President must gather all separatist notes, all false demands, and ban them on the spot. For the Constitution itself has spoken: Sri Lanka is one, indivisible, and consecrated to the Sasana. This is the civilizational truth. This is the eternal duty.

After the Maha Sangha Conference, the voices of civilizational guardianship were raised clearly against separatism and falsehood. Yet even in the aftermath, fake Tamil diaspora leaders continued their rhetoric, speaking of Sinhalization” as if the presence of Buddhist temples in the North and East were colonization. These words are not truth; they are violations against history and against the civilizational continuity of the island. The chronicles record ancient viharas and stupas in those lands long before separatist myths were invented. Mahiyangana, Thuparama, Ruwanwelisaya, and countless other shrines testify that the North and East were never alien territories but integral parts of the Sasana’s guardianship. Sinhala Buddhists are not colonizers; they are heirs to a civilizational trust that has lasted for over 2,570 years.

The diaspora’s rhetoric of Sinhalization” is a deliberate distortion, designed to erase the memory of kings who consecrated the island to the Buddha, monks who carried the Dhamma across regions, and people who built temples as acts of devotion. To call this colonization is to deny the Mahavamsa, the Culavamsa, and the Dipavamsa, which record the offering of Lanka to the Sasana. It is to deny archaeology, which proves the presence of Buddhist shrines in the North and East centuries before separatist politics. It is to deny sacrifice, for monks and laypeople alike defended these lands against invasions and terror. Therefore, the Sangha must reject these falsehoods with clarity and strength. The Maha Sangha Conference has already declared unity, and this proclamation stands as the eternal answer: Sri Lanka is one, indivisible, consecrated to the Sasana. No rhetoric of Sinhalization,” no lobbying in foreign capitals, no Trojan horse politics can override this civilizational truth. The Constitution is the shield, the Sangha is the guardian, and the people are the heirs. This is the eternal duty, reaffirmed after the Maha Sangha Conference and carried forward into the future.

Venerable Maha Sangha, your proclamation has reaffirmed the civilizational guardianship of the Sasana and the unity of our nation. To ensure that this truth is not only spiritual but also legally unassailable, it must be harmonized with the supreme law of the Republic. Article 9 of the Constitution is eternal, enshrining the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana. Article 2 declares Sri Lanka a Unitary State, indivisible and sovereign. These provisions are not mere clauses; they are the constitutional covenant that shields the nation. When the civilizational truth of the Sangha is joined with the constitutional authority vested in Articles 9 and 2, no falsehood, no separatist rhetoric, and no distortion of history can lawfully overcome the sovereignty, unity, and indivisibility of Sri Lanka.

This island, once called Lanka, known as Sinhale, later called Ceylon by colonial powers, is not a mere territory. It is the sacred land chosen by the Buddhas, consecrated by kings, protected by monks, and defended by the people. Its civilizational uniqueness is eternal.

By Palitha Ariyarathna

Dilrook Kannangara

Unfortunately, almost all Muslim communities in the world are suffering physical harm for various reasons. Yet there is an oasis for Muslims in Sri Lanka. The land where the first man, Prophet Adam descended, and descended well, according to local Muslims’ beliefs, has nurtured Muslims and awarded them with peace and prosperity when the rest of the world turned hostile.

What happens in the Middle East for the past 70 years is sad. Never-ending wars have plagued the middle east, and their wars will not end anytime soon. Palestine, Yemen, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, etc. are taking very heavy economic and human losses. At least 5 million Muslims would have been killed in this region for the past 70 years of war. Other forms of violence against Muslims are also at horror levels.

Algeria to Libya and North Africa is another sob story of extreme violence killing over a million Muslims since WW2. Other parts of Africa are no better with extreme violence and counter violence resulting in the deaths of millions of Muslims.

Afghanistan has a legacy of millions of dead in repeated wars.

India, Pakistan and Bangladesh is another sorry story. Last 80 years saw the killing of over 3 million Muslims in these countries due to internal strife, terrorism and independence movements. Continuing discrimination against and lynching of Muslims to death in India is commonplace. Similar happenings take place in China and Myanmar.

A large number of Muslims have made their way to developed countries. However, they are denied Muslim laws, Sharia law, multiple marriages and religious practice. They face daily backlash from locals in these countries.

Indonesia, Malaysia and a few central Asian countries with a large Muslim population have so far avoided major military catastrophes, however, plans are underway in western capitals to turn these too into killing fields.

In addition, Indonesia is facing severe natural disasters too frequently. Sitting on what is called ‘the ring of fire’, it is battered by all forms of natural disasters with tens of thousands of casualties. Maldives, though peaceful and prosperous, has its days numbered due to rising sea levels.

In wide contrast Muslims in Sri Lanka thrive with no physical threats whatsoever and good business. Muslims in Sri Lanka must be thankful for their good luck in Sri Lanka. Bringing extremist dogma from warzones into the blessed island will surely end the streak of good luck. Let those dogmatic beliefs perish in the middle east; it is no concern for the islanders; keep Sri Lanka peaceful for all.

Bamo Nouri Courtesy Counterpunch.org

Facebook Twitter Reddit Bluesky Email

US and Iranian negotiators met in Geneva earlier this week in what mediators described as the most serious and constructive talks in years. Oman’s foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi, spoke publicly of unprecedented openness,” signalling that both sides were exploring creative formulations rather than repeating entrenched positions. Discussions showed flexibility on nuclear limits and sanctions relief, and mediators indicated that a principles agreement could have been reached within days, with detailed verification mechanisms to follow within months.

These were not hollow gestures. Real diplomatic capital was being spent. Iranian officials floated proposals designed to meet US political realities – including potential access to energy sectors and economic cooperation. These were gestures calibrated to allow Donald Trump to present any deal as tougher and more advantageous than the 2015 agreement he withdrew the US from in May 2018. Tehran appeared to understand the optics Washington required, even if contentious issues such as ballistic missiles and regional proxy networks remained outside the immediate framework. Then, in the middle of these talks, the bridge was shattered.

Sensing how close the negotiations were — and how imminent military escalation had become — Oman’s foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi, made an emergency dash to Washington in a last-ditch effort to preserve the diplomatic track.

In an unusually public move for a mediator, he appeared on CBS to outline just how far the talks had progressed. He described a deal that would eliminate Iranian stockpiles of highly enriched uranium, down-blend existing material inside Iran, and allow full verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) — with the possibility of US inspectors participating alongside them. Iran, he suggested, would enrich only for civilian purposes. A principles agreement, he indicated, could be signed within days. It was a remarkable disclosure — effectively revealing the contours of a near-breakthrough in an attempt to prevent imminent war.

But rather than allowing diplomacy to conclude, the US and Israel have launched coordinated strikes across Iran. Explosions were reported in Tehran and other cities. Trump announced major combat operations,”, framing them as necessary to eliminate nuclear and missile threats while urging Iranians to seize the moment and overthrow their leadership. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting US bases and allied states across the region.

What is most striking is not merely that diplomacy failed, but that it failed amid visible progress. Mediators were openly discussing a viable framework; both sides had demonstrated flexibility – a pathway to constrain nuclear escalation appeared tangible. Choosing military escalation at that moment undermines the premise that negotiation is a genuine alternative to war. It signals that even active diplomacy offers no guarantee of restraint. Peace was not naïve. It was plausible.

Iran’s approach in Geneva was strategic, not submissive. Proposals involving economic incentives – including energy cooperation – were not unilateral concessions but calculated compromises designed to structure a politically survivable agreement in Washington. The core objective was clear: constrain Iran’s nuclear programme through enforceable limits and intrusive verification, thereby addressing the very proliferation risks that sanctions and threats of force were meant to prevent.

Talks had moved beyond rhetorical posturing toward concrete proposals. For the first time in years, there was credible movement toward stabilising the nuclear issue. By attacking during that negotiation window, Washington and its allies have not only derailed a diplomatic opening but have cast doubt on the durability of American commitments to negotiated solutions. The message to Tehran – and to other adversaries weighing diplomacy – is stark: even when talks appear to work, they can be overtaken by force.

Iran is not Iraq or Libya

Advocates of escalation often invoke Iraq in 2003 or Libya in 2011 as precedents for rapid regime collapse under pressure. Those analogies are misleading. Iraq and Libya were highly personalised systems, overly dependent on narrow patronage networks and individual rulers. Remove the centre, and the structure imploded.

Iran is structurally different. It is not a dynastic dictatorship but an ideologically entrenched state with layered institutions, doctrinal legitimacy and a deeply embedded security apparatus, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Its authority is intertwined with religious, political and strategic narratives cultivated over decades. It has endured sanctions, regional isolation and sustained external pressure without fracturing.

Even a previous US-Israeli campaign in 2025 that lasted 12 days failed to eliminate Tehran’s retaliatory capacity. Far from collapsing, the state absorbed pressure and responded. Hitting such a system with maximum force does not guarantee implosion; it may instead consolidate internal cohesion and reinforce narratives of external aggression that the leadership has long leveraged.

The mirage of regime change

Rhetoric surrounding the strikes has already shifted from tactical objectives to the language of regime change. US and Israeli leaders framed military action not solely as neutralising missile or nuclear capabilities, but as an opportunity for Iranians to overthrow their government. That calculus – regime change by force – is historically fraught with risk.

The Iraq invasion should be a cautionary tale. The US spent more than a decade cultivating multiple Iraqi opposition groups – yet dismantling the centralised state apparatus still produced chaos, insurgency and fragmentation. The vacuum gave rise to extremist organisations such as IS, drawing the US into years of renewed conflict.

Approaching Iran with similar assumptions ignores both its institutional resilience and the complexity of regional geopolitics. Sectarian divisions, entrenched alliances and proxy networks mean that destabilisation in Tehran would not remain contained. It could rapidly spill across borders and harden into prolonged confrontation.

A region wired for escalation

Iran has invested heavily in asymmetric capabilities precisely to deter and complicate external intervention. Its missile, drone and naval systems are embedded along the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint for global energy — and linked into a network of regional allies and militias.

In the current escalation, Tehran has already launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes against US military bases and allied territories in the Gulf, hitting locations in Iraq, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (including Abu Dhabi), Kuwait and Qatar in direct response to US and Israeli strikes on Iran’s cities, including Tehran, Qom and Isfahan. Explosions have been reported in Bahrain and the UAE, with at least one confirmed fatality in Abu Dhabi, and several bases housing US personnel have been struck or targeted, underscoring how the conflict has already spread beyond Iran’s borders

A full-scale regional war is now more likely than it was a week ago. Miscalculation could draw multiple states into conflict, inflame sectarian fault lines and disrupt global energy markets. What might have remained a contained nuclear dispute now risks expanding into a wider geopolitical confrontation.

What about Trump’s promise of no more forever wars?

Trump built his political brand opposing endless wars” and criticising the Iraq invasion. America First” promised strategic restraint, hard bargaining and an aversion to open-ended intervention. Escalating militarily at the very moment diplomacy was advancing sits uneasily with that doctrine and revives questions about the true objectives of US strategy in the Middle East.

If a workable nuclear framework was genuinely emerging, abandoning it in favour of escalation invites a deeper question: does sustained tension serve certain strategic preferences more comfortably than durable peace?

Trump’s Mar-a-Lago address announcing the strikes carried unmistakable echoes of George W. Bush before the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Military action was framed as reluctant yet necessary – a pre-emptive move to eliminate gathering threats and secure peace through strength. The rhetoric of patience exhausted and danger confronted before it fully materialises closely mirrors the language Bush used to justify the march into Baghdad.

The parallel extends beyond tone. Bush cast the Iraq war as liberation as well as disarmament, promising Iraqis freedom from dictatorship. Trump similarly urged Iranians to reclaim their country, implicitly linking force to regime change. In Iraq, that fusion of shock and salvation produced not swift democratic renewal but prolonged instability. The assumption that military force can reorder political systems from the outside has already been tested – and its costs remain visible.

The central challenge now facing the US is not simply Iran’s military capability. It is credibility. Abandoning negotiations mid-course signals that diplomacy can be overridden by force even when progress is visible. That perception will resonate far beyond Tehran.

Peace was never guaranteed. It was limited and imperfect, focused primarily on nuclear constraints rather than human rights or regional proxy networks. But it was plausible – and closer than many assumed. Breaking the bridge while building it does more than halt a single agreement – it risks convincing both sides that negotiation itself is futile.

In that world, trust erodes, deterrence hardens and aggression – not agreement – becomes the default language of international power. What we are witnessing is yet another clear indication that the rules-based order has been consigned to the history books.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Bamo Nouri is an Honorary Research Fellow, Department of International Politics, at City, St George’s, University of London.

February 27, 2026

Courtesy: LNW

Sri Lanka’s Parliament has become the latest arena in a growing international conversation on colonial reparations, as the government signals it may seek compensation from Britain for damages inflicted during the colonial era.

Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed that the issue is under consideration, following calls from Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to emulate African nations that have formally demanded reparations from former colonial rulers. The move reflects a broader reassessment of colonial history, as nations reassess the long-term economic and human costs of imperialism.

British colonial rule in Sri Lanka reshaped the island’s political economy in ways that continue to influence present-day challenges. While often portrayed as a period of administrative modernization, historians argue that colonial governance prioritized imperial profit over local welfare, producing structural inequalities that persist decades after independence.

The plantation economy introduced by the British transformed Sri Lanka into a mono-crop exporter dependent on tea, rubber, and coffee. This system relied on expropriated land and imported indentured labor, while profits flowed largely to British companies and the imperial treasury. At independence, Sri Lanka inherited an economy highly dependent on volatile global commodity markets, with limited industrial diversification.

Beyond economics, colonial rule involved widespread appropriation of cultural heritage. Archaeological expeditions conducted during the colonial period removed artifacts from ancient kingdoms such as Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Palm-leaf manuscripts containing Buddhist texts, medical knowledge, and historical chronicles were shipped to British libraries, where many remain inaccessible to Sri Lankan scholars.

The loss of life during colonial suppression campaigns is another unresolved grievance. The brutal response to rebellions in the 19th century, particularly in Uva-Wellassa, is increasingly cited as evidence of crimes that would today constitute violations of international humanitarian norms. Entire communities were displaced, leaders executed, and livelihoods destroyed as part of punitive military operations.

The reparations debate is not without challenges. International law offers limited mechanisms for historical claims, and Britain has previously resisted formal compensation demands, arguing that colonial actions occurred before modern legal frameworks. However, recent precedentssuch as compensation paid to Kenyan victims of colonial-era abuses have strengthened the moral and political case for redress.

Analysts say Sri Lanka’s approach is likely to combine diplomatic engagement, historical documentation, and coordination with other formerly colonized nations. Rather than immediate financial compensation, outcomes could include restitution of cultural property, development partnerships, debt relief, or formal acknowledgements of wrongdoing.

Minister Herath’s statement marks a shift from silence to scrutiny, signaling that Sri Lanka is prepared to revisit its colonial past not merely as history, but as an unresolved political and economic issue with contemporary relevance.

Courtesy: LNW

Shenali D Waduge

In the aftermath of the Easter Sunday terror attacks, intelligence agencies from the United States (FBI), India (RAW), the United Kingdom (Scotland Yard), and Australia (ASIO) conducted extensive investigations into the origins, execution, and failures surrounding the 21 April 2019 massacre.

Their findings revealed beyond doubt that the attacks were executed by Islamist extremists and enabled by catastrophic institutional failure – not by Sri Lankan military intelligence

Yet in 2026, Sri Lanka’s government and police appear determined to publicly ridicule, contradict, and invalidate these foreign intelligence conclusions by arresting individuals never named in any international or domestic reports.

This is no longer merely a domestic legal controversy.

It has become a diplomatic embarrassment for these countries.

What did Foreign Intelligence agencies actually conclude?

Despite differences in intelligence culture and doctrine, all foreign investigations reached the same foundational conclusions:

1. Ideological driver: Islamist extremism

The attacks were driven by:

·      radical Islamist ideology

·      extremist indoctrination

·      international jihadist influence

·      transnational terror coordination

2. Advance warnings were issued

Indian intelligence issued:

·      precise alerts

·      names

·      locations

·      target indicators – weeks before the attack.

3. Catastrophic institutional failure

The massacre was made possible due to lack of:

·      threat assessment after warnings

·      inter-agency coordination

·      political leadership response

·      operational enforcement

4. No evidence of state conspiracy

Not one foreign agency concluded:

·      Sri Lankan intelligence engineered the attack

·      Military intelligence facilitated the attack

·      Any officer directed extremist operations

This is a key observation.

Not a single foreign intelligence or law-enforcement agency — including the FBI, Scotland Yard, Indian NIA, Australian Federal Police or US State Department — has ever named, implied, or suggested any role by Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay or any Sri Lankan intelligence conspiracy in the Easter Sunday attacks.

If FBI + Scotland Yard + NIA + AFP all found Islamist terror networks,
but Sri Lanka alone invents an intelligence conspiracy,

Sri Lanka is effectively ridiculing the world’s most powerful intelligence agencies.

5. Responsibility lay with institutional paralysis – no coordination

The disaster resulted from:

·      political interference

·      command dysfunction

·      bureaucratic paralysis

·      security sector collapse – not intelligence failure.

Nowhere in any foreign assessment does the name of Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay appear.

Yet today, Sri Lanka’s police have arrested him — effectively announcing:

The FBI, RAW, MI6 and ASIO all got it wrong. We alone know the truth.”

Arrest First — Evidence Later: Institutional Humiliation

The farce deepened when police media spokespersons declared following the arrest:

He was arrested due to evidence.”

When journalists asked what that evidence was, the reply was:

We must investigate and find out.”

Sri Lanka has now created a new global standard of criminal procedure:

Arrest first. Look for evidence later.

This is not investigation.

This is institutional humiliation.

And by extension, diplomatic humiliation — because this arrest directly contradicts the findings of multiple foreign intelligence services.

How Governments Quietly Insult Foreign Intelligence Agencies

Diplomatic Fallout: When Intelligence Becomes Diplomacy

Foreign intelligence cooperation is built on trust, confidentiality, and institutional respect. When a host country publicly contradicts, disregards, or ridicules partner intelligence findings, the consequences are immediate and silent:

• Reduction of intelligence-sharing
• Downgrading of threat briefings
• Curtailment of classified cooperation
• Withdrawal of embedded advisory teams
• Strategic distancing by foreign defence missions

This is how nations are quietly isolated inside the global intelligence ecosystem.

No foreign agency will openly protest.
Instead, cooperation is silently reduced — and the country is left blind.

Sri Lanka is now walking directly into this intelligence isolation trap.

Foreign intelligence agencies do not issue findings lightly.

Every conclusion:

·      passes multi-level verification

·      undergoes forensic scrutiny

·      is reviewed through legal, operational and diplomatic filters

When Sri Lanka proceeds to arrest individuals explicitly excluded from those findings, it sends a clear international message:

Your intelligence assessments are irrelevant.”

·      No intelligence service welcomes such public contradiction. It is a slap to their findings.

·      No diplomatic mission tolerates such institutional disrespect.

This path inevitably invites quiet diplomatic pressure — not through statements, but through back-channel consequencesand this means more trouble for Sri Lanka.

Criminalizing Intelligence Tradecraft: Strategic Suicide

Every intelligence agency on earth infiltrates extremist groups.

This includes:

·      CIA

·      MI6

·      Mossad

·      RAW

·      ASIO

They:

·      cultivate informants

·      embed operatives

·      penetrate terror cells

·      manipulate extremist networks

If such infiltration is retroactively criminalized, every intelligence service on earth becomes legally paralysed.

By attempting to criminalize standard intelligence operations and expose the manner they conduct covert operations in a civil court, Sri Lanka is not protecting national security — it is dismantling it.

The Real Failure Identified by Foreign Intelligence

All international investigations converged on one uncomfortable truth:

Sri Lanka’s national security system collapsed after 2015.

This period saw:

·      dismantling of counter-terror units

·      imprisonment of intelligence officers shadowing individuals & extremist groups

·      politicization of police and military command – creating competition & disconnect within units

·      breakdown of inter-agency coordination

Between 2015–2019, extremist networks expanded without meaningful surveillance.

That vacuum — not intelligence complicity — produced Easter Sunday.

Yet instead of confronting this institutional collapse, Sri Lanka now manufactures conspiracies worsening the situation and inviting more trouble by mischief makers who would have studied the vulnerable terrain.

What Is Being Protected?

If guilt is assigned by political convenience rather than evidence, justice ceases to exist.

What replaces it is narrative engineering.

And when a government begins contradicting FBI, RAW, MI6 and Australian intelligence findings — not with evidence, but with theatrics — it publicly exposes institutional collapse.

This path guarantees only one outcome:

·      Sri Lanka will lose the ability to penetrate extremist networks.

·      Every intelligence officer will fear prosecution for doing exactly what intelligence officers worldwide are trained to do.

That guarantees:

·      blind intelligence

·      delayed response

·      weak surveillance

·      increased civilian vulnerability

Which means:

The next attack will find Sri Lanka more defenceless than the last.

A Direct Question to Foreign Missions in Colombo

The diplomatic missions of:

•       United States
• United Kingdom
• India
• Australia

have provided intelligence, forensic assistance, and counter-terror cooperation to Sri Lanka in good faith.

Do these missions now accept that:

·      Their agencies were wrong —
and Sri Lanka’s present police narrative alone is correct?

If not, silence becomes complicity in a judicial farce.

This moment demands quiet diplomatic clarification — not public theatrics — to prevent irreversible damage to Sri Lanka’s intelligence credibility and regional security cooperation.

Sri Lanka sits at a critical maritime and counter-terror crossroads in:

·      Indian Ocean security

·      Maritime jihadist transit routes

·      South Asian extremist financing corridors

·      Indo-Pacific intelligence architecture

Crippling Sri Lanka’s intelligence capacity through politicized prosecutions does not merely weaken Sri Lanka.

It weakens regional counter-terror architecture itself.

This is why the Easter Sunday investigations were supported by:

·      FBI

·      MI6

·      RAW

·      ASIO

Undermining those findings now transforms Sri Lanka from a security partner into a strategic vulnerability.

No responsible foreign mission can remain indifferent to that risk.

Sri Lanka must also decide:
Will it stand with the world’s intelligence community —
or will it continue converting their professional findings into political theatre?

Because a country that mocks foreign intelligence today
will find itself dangerously alone when the next threat emerges.

Shenali D Waduge

By Raj Gonsalkorale

Sri Lanka drugs and medical supplies requirements are met through three sources. The State hospital system is supplied by the State Pharmaceuticals corporation (SPC), and the private sector is supplied by the SPC as well as private importers, and statistics show that the private importer share of total imports is around 60% of the total spend on drugs and medical supplies. Regarding quality assessments of imports, the SPC has a long-established process to check quality compliance according to pharmacopeial standards prior to the importation of drugs. The procedure followed by the private sector is understood to be different, and the responsibility to check quality compliance rests with them with no independent oversight of the process. Although the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) is required legally to provide this oversight, it appears that, this does not happen. This article is about this conundrum. 

The NMRA, established under Act No. 5 of 2015 has an absolute legal mandate for the authority to regulate all aspects of medicines, including quality assurance for both private and public sector imports. While recent procedural updates have transitioned some data collection to digital formats, the legal requirement for ensuring quality compliance remains strictly mandated by law. The question is whether the NMRA is exercising their legal mandate and ensuring the quality of drugs imported and manufactured in Sri Lanka meet the required quality compliance with as per the pharmacopeial specifications under which the drugs are manufactured and registered.

NMRAs activities relating to the private sector imports appear to need more strengthening as per the findings of several independent studies. Intellectual honesty requires acknowledging that there is often a significant “implementation gap” between what an Act of Parliament (like the NMRA Act) commands and what happens in practice. Considering the criticality of quality compliance so that drugs consumed by patients are safe and effective, this article will examine this conundrum later in the document.

Specific Legal Requirements and Authorities

The following sections of the NMRA Act, No. 5 of 2015 and associated regulations explicitly detail the authority’s responsibilities: 

• Mandate to Ensure Quality: Section 3(a) of the Act states the NMRA must “ensure the availability of efficacious, safe and good quality medicines” to the general public.
• Central Regulator Role: Section 3(b) designates the NMRA as the central regulator for all matters connected with registration, licensing, manufacture, and importation.
• Quality Assurance Responsibility: Section 14(c) empowers the authority to regulate the registration, licensing, and importation of medicines to ensure quality standards.
• Verification of Batches: Section 52 specifically prohibits the sale of prescribed medicine unless the batch from which it is taken has been “approved as reliable”.
• Mandatory Technical Reviews: Section 1.3.1 of NMRA procedural documents clarifies that the Medicines Evaluation Committee (MEC) uses registration and certification procedures to carry out technical reviews and surveillance of medicines to ensure quality and safety.
• Post-Marketing Surveillance: The Market Control Division is legally responsible for implementing market surveillance programs to monitor product quality throughout the supply chain and prevent the entry of substandard products. 

Requirements for Importers (Private and Public) – Are these being complied with for all drugs entering the market?

Contrary to the perception that requirements are optional, the NMRA is expected to maintain specific mandatory documentation for all medicinal products entering the market: The question that should be posed here is whether the following is being adhered to and if not why.

• Certificate of Analysis (CoA): For new registration or renewal, manufacturers must provide a Certificate of Analysis of the finished product.
• Evidence of Importation: Under Section 65(d), the NMRA recently mandated that all Market Authorization Holders submit evidence of importation and production for the past two years to ensure continuous availability and compliance.
• Batch-Specific Surveillance: The NMQAL is responsible for analyzing imported medicines at different points in the distribution chain, using samples submitted for registration, complaints, and surveillance from both government and private institutions.
• Manufacturer Compliance: All manufacturers must conform to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), which the Act defines as the guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Recent Strategic Changes (2024–2026)

It is understood that the NMRA has recently introduced new measures to tighten control over imports, moving away from ad-hoc manual checks to systematic digital tracking:

• Mandatory Labelling: Effective from September 1, 2024, a new labelling requirement (stickers) became compulsory for all batches released to the market to prevent falsified products.
• Digital Data Collection: In early 2024, the NMRA launched a mandatory data collection initiative requiring all local agents and importers to provide accurate information on all medicines imported since January 2023.
• Renewal Grace Period: A six-month grace period starting January 1, 2026, was granted for the renewal of foreign manufacturing premises. Sites for which renewal applications are not submitted will be discontinued. 

While the NMRA reportedly uses risk-based surveillance (testing samples rather than every single unit), they are legally required to verify that every imported product meets defined pharmacopeial or manufacturer specifications before and after it reaches the market. In recent times, various audits and high-level assessments have been done to examine the extent of compliance with the law pertaining to medicinal products The following are noteworthy. They have scrutinized the gap between the NMRA’s legal mandate and its actual performance.

1. Auditor General’s Reports

The Auditor General of Sri Lanka has conducted several performance audits on the NMRA and the pharmaceutical supply chain (notably in 2022 and 2023). Key findings included:

• Backlog in Registration: Audits found that the NMRA had a massive backlog of thousands of applications, leading to “provisional” registrations that bypassed full quality testing.
• The “Waiver of Registration” Crisis: The most significant finding was the overuse of Section 109 of the NMRA Act (Emergency Waivers). Audits revealed that during the 2022–2023 crisis, the NMRA allowed hundreds of drugs to enter the country without the legally required quality checks.
• Failure of the NMQAL: The National Medicines Quality Assurance Laboratory (NMQAL) was found to be under-resourced, testing only a tiny fraction of the thousands of items imported by the private sector.

2. The COPE (Committee on Public Enterprises) Investigations

The Parliamentary Committee (COPE) has summoned the NMRA multiple times between 2023 and 2025. Their assessments revealed:

• Missing Data: A famous investigation into the NMRA Data Deletion incident highlighted that the authority lost critical digital records of importers and quality certificates, making it legally impossible to verify compliance for a period.
• Staffing Shortages: COPE identified that the NMRA lacked the requisite number of Pharmacists and Quality Assessors to monitor the 4,000+ items imported by the private sector.

3. WHO & World Bank “Gaps” Assessments

In preparation for the USD 150 Million PHSEP and the Digital Transformation Project, the World Bank and WHO conducted “Situational Analyses.” They identified:

• Regulatory Capture: Concerns that the private sector’s “product listing” approach allows for brand proliferation without added therapeutic value.
• Information Asymmetry: Because the private sector operates on a “Market Authorization” basis, the NMRA was found to be reactive (testing only after a complaint) rather than proactive.

Why does the NMRA struggle to comply with the law?

Assessments suggest three main reasons for the “non-performance” mentioned:

• Institutional Capacity: The NMRA is required to regulate 4,000+ private items reportedly with a technical staff smaller than that of a single large private hospital.
• Regulatory “Blind Spots”: The law requires quality assurance, but the regulations (the specific rules for how to do it) have not been updated since 2019 to reflect the surge in private imports.
• Budgetary Constraints: Testing a single drug batch at NMQAL is expensive; the NMRA’s fee structure is too low to cover the cost of testing 4,000+ items.

Current Corrective Steps (2025-2026)

To address these audit findings, the following “National Projects” are said to be underway:

• NMRA Act Reform: Discussions are ongoing to amend the Act to make post-market surveillance fees mandatory for private importers to fund their own quality testing.
• Digital NMRA (World Bank Funded): This project aims to automate the verification of Batch Certificates so that no private shipment can be cleared by Customs without a digital link from the NMRA. While this sounds very modernistic, it is important to ascertain the functionality of this procedure and whether in fact it has been implemented and is a mandatory functionality as reported.

CONCLUSION

The Critical Distinction: Law vs. Practice

To ensure a balanced perspective for anyone looking into this, the situation can be summarized as follows:

• The Legal Illusion: On paper, the NMRA is the powerful guardian of quality for all 4,000+ items. The above-mentioned findings seem to indicate that there are gaps in this guardianship, and all drugs do not go through with the mandated procedure. The terms and tenor of this guardianship may have to change as doing post shipment surveillance will be an impossible task for so many items and many imports. Pre shipment surveillance is a more practical option. Quality compliance certification prior to shipment, from the manufacturers own laboratory and also from an independent laboratory, and making the presentation of these documents to Customs in Sri Lanka could be made mandatory.
• The Ground Reality: In practice, the private sector operates with consequential independence arising from   NMRA lacking laboratory facilities to test the thousands of batches arriving for the private market, it therefore acts primarily as a “reactive“ regulator—investigating after a problem is reported—rather than a “proactive“ one that tests every batch before it hits the shelf. Testing every batch before release would be an impractical procedure to follow considering the number of imports and the number of batches imported.
• The SPC Advantage: As noted, the SPC (State) sector has a much tighter net because its procurement is centralized and its contracts specifically mandate testing as a prerequisite for importation. The private sector’s “Market Authorization” model simply does not have an equivalent mandatory “pre-shipment” testing cycle for every individual shipment.

Moving Forward

The NMRAcurrently manages a Market Authorization system for the private sector, which allows for massive brand proliferation (reportedly over 4000 items) as it does not have to comply with a formulary as the SPC which operates on a restrictive formulary (less than 1,000 items). The World Bank and World Health Organization (WHO) have identified this lack of a National Private Sector Formulary as a primary driver of both regulatory failure and the high out-of-pocket expenditure for Sri Lankans.

The World Bank’s Proposed “Correction” Strategy

The World Bank has recommended a “tiered” restructuring of the NMRA to shift from being a “passive registrar” to an “active manager.” Key reform recommendations include:

• Establishment of a “Private Sector Essential Medicines List”: The World Bank has pushed for the NMRA to adopt a “Positive List” for the private sector. Instead of registering any brand that meets basic GMP, the NMRA would only prioritize the registration and surveillance of brands that fit into a National Formulary based on therapeutic need, mirroring the Essential Medicines List used in the public sector.

Authors comment – The national formulary is a list of generic items and not a list of items by brand names. It is unlikely and could be regarded unfair (for the would-be importers) for the NMRA to register items by brand names as the therapeutic need cannot be determined by the brand of a product. Therapeutic needs are ascertained based on the pharmacopeial specifications applicable to a generic product. If a particular brand of a generic product includes essential ingredients over and above what is specified in the pharmacopeial specification, then, it could be argued that it is a different generic product, and a question could be asked whether such a product should be included in the formulary or not. In such instances, the decision whether to include or not should be made by a set of independent professionals like pharmacologists.

• Mandatory “Health Technology Assessment” (HTA): The World Bank is funding the integration of HTA units within the Ministry of Health. The recommendation is that no new drug should be registered for the private sector unless it passes an “Economic and Therapeutic Value” test, which would naturally shrink the 4,000-item list over time.

Authors comment – The observations made in respect of the earlier point applies to this as well.

• The “Digital Gatekeeper” (NMRA e-Portal): Recognizing the monitoring challenges mentioned, the Digital Transformation Project is funding a system where the Customs Department and NMRA are linked. If a drug is not on the approved formulary list, it fails to be allowed into the country.

Authors comment – This is a good move provided the listing of items is based on the observations made about the earlier two points and inclusion of items is managed by an independent body of professionals as suggested. and it will be even better if this link can extend to the submission of quality certificates from the manufacturers and an independent authority.

The Reality of Implementation

While these recommendations are on paper, the “expert methodology” for a private formulary , it will face significant pushback from various quarters like the Private Pharmacy Importers’ Association and various chambers of commerce, including some members of the medical profession, who will argue that it restricts consumer choice. The following statement underpins the necessity of finding a solution to ensure that legal and professional guardrails are there to ensure the quality of drugs consumed by the public.

The Audit General’s 2024 report noted that without this “narrowing” of the private sector list, the NMRA will remain legally liable but operationally incapable of ensuring safety.

Senaka Weeraratna

An accountability process for the colonial crimes committed by the three colonial powers namely Portugal, Netherlands and Britain, is warranted through an apology, catharsis, reparations and repatriation of stolen artifacts. Sri Lanka must also demand a part of the total revenue earned by these countries in exhibiting Sri Lankan artifacts in Museums such as the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam and other reputed Museums in other parts of Europe. This is a just and fair demand. An Apology must be particularly directed to the descendants of the Sinhala Buddhist Kandyan people who were singled out as victims of colonial brutalities. These are the descendants of a highly oppressed group of people who were also deprived of their inheritance by the colonial rulers planting thousands of indentured Indian labour of Malabar descent in their traditional homelands without their consent. 19th-century British official documents reveal how the freedom struggles against British colonial rule were suppressed in a most brutal, genocidal manner in one of the darkest pages of European colonial history.

1)     The Government of Sri Lanka must demand from all three colonial powers i.e., Portugal, Netherlands, and Britain:

a) Accountability for crimes committed against both humans and non – humans e.g., the holocaust of elephants in the upcountry, including seeking

a)    Apology and Repentance

b)    Atonement and Remorse

c)     Catharsis

d)     Reparation

e)     Restitutio in Integrum (in Latin this means ‘Restoration’)  

b) Inquire into Colonial Crimes committed by the three Colonial Rulers including Genocidal crimes and wholesale destruction of Buddhist Temples and illegal seizure and occupation of Buddhist Temple lands, and the building of Christian Churches on top of destroyed Temple sites (see the ‘Temporal and Spiritual Conquest of Ceylon’ by Father Fernao de Queyroz), and the prohibition of the practice of Buddhism.

c) Establish an International Museum dedicated to remembering the freedom struggles of the people of Sri Lanka against Colonial Rule (1505 – 1948). Take a cue from the various Museums found in the African Countries and even closer home in India where the freedom fighters are respectfully remembered and the horror of the colonial crimes are highlighted. 

d) Research and rewrite the narrative surrounding gaining independence taking into consideration both the internal and external factors. The role of the people of Asia who fought against occupation of their lands by Western powers especially during the Second World War and the impact that resistance had on the eventual independence gained by Ceylon in 1948 must be truthfully admitted. The blood shed by the Japanese soldiers plus the soldiers of the Indian National Army (INA) far outweighed any blood sacrifices in Sri Lanka during the Second World War. The last gun fired by the Sinhalese against the British Colonial occupation was in Matale in 1848. Not even a stone was thrown thereafter by any one in this country. Freedom came on a platter to Ceylon in 1948. No Blood Sacrifices to gain independence for Ceylon after 1848. This is the stark truth. Only one freedom fighter of Sri Lankan (Sinhalese) origin stands out alongside world renowned freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, Aung San, U Nu, Sukarno, Mohammed Hatta (Indonesia), Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam). His name is Anagarika Dharmapala. 

e) Plan a celebration that gives due place to all those who fought against all three Euro – Christian powers that ruled Ceylon in an unjust way

f) Convene an International Conference on Reparations jointly with former European colonies in Africa, Middle East,  the Caribbean  and Asia.

g) Consider changing the format of Independence Day celebration to exhibit more the historical, cultural, scientific, and Ayurvedic medicines and medical achievements in improving the quality of life, and the creative abilities and contributions of our people in our 2, 500-year history including the names of our freedom fighters i.e., the brave Kings and Queens who fought and protected this land from foreign invasions, and help build the pre-colonial and admirable Buddhist Civilization of Sri Lanka.

h) Form a Reparations Committee and establish an Office of Reparations to negotiate the Historical Demand of the downtrodden people of Ceylon from the former colonial masters during the colonial era (1505 – 1948). 

Senaka Weeraratna

Udaya Gammanpila

Shenali D Waduge

by Shenali Waduge · 27th February 2026

The purpose of this article is not to defend an individual but to defend institutional logic, to decipher what went wrong and by whom, and to prevent judicial manipulation through politicized narrative framing. Even 30 years of LTTE terror and bloodshed did not result in over six reports and Presidential Commissions of Inquiry at taxpayers’ expense, as the Easter Sunday attacks have. Therefore, it is the right of every citizen to question why an attack that clearly reveals failures in monitoring extremist groups and failures in preventive action continues to be dragged through successive inquiries.

MANUFACTURED False Narrative being floated:

Suresh Sallay had contact with Zahran, therefore he enabled the Easter attacks.”

This is strategic deception, built by:

• NGOs
• foreign-linked media
• regime-change actors
• ideological networks
• Islamist lobby groups
• LTTE-linked diaspora activists

Why this narrative is powerful:

Because people do not understand how intelligence agencies work and sensationalized stories are gullible to those ready to believe versions that fit into their line of thinking.

THE MOST CRITICAL FACT : SALLAY’S ACTUAL ROLE IN 2019

In 2019 – Suresh Sallay was NOT:

• SIS Head
• CID Head
• Military intelligence operational commander
• Counter-terror operational authority

He was:

Sri Lanka’s Defence Attaché in Malaysia and thereafter attending Defense Training in India.

Meaning:

• No command authority
• No operational control
• No decision-making authority
• No arrest powers
• No intelligence processing authority
• No domestic intelligence command

This alone collapses allegations that accuse him of instructing military or intel operatives:

• command responsibility
• negligence claims
• operational accountability

Legal liability arises only where formal command authority exists.
Moral speculation cannot replace jurisdictional responsibility.

In criminal law, liability also requires causal proximity and operational linkage.
Without direct command authority, documented instruction, or operational control, attribution collapses as a matter of law — not opinion.

CHAIN OF COMMAND — THE LEGAL FOUNDATION

Only those in the military will know the command chain flow – you cannot ask a man in military uniform to take action unless it comes directly from his superior.

This command chain is not discretionary — it is legally binding, operationally rigid, and universal across professional armed forces.

Stage	Responsible Entity
Data Collection	SIS
Collation & Analysis	SIS / CNI
Threat Assessment	CNI + IGP + Defence Ministry
Operational Decisions	IGP + CID + STF + Tri-Forces
Arrest / Disruption	CID + Police + STF
Tactical Action	Police + Military

Key Principle:

SIS CANNOT ARREST.
SIS CANNOT RAID.
SIS CANNOT DISRUPT.
SIS CAN ONLY INFORM.

So:

If intelligence existed —
Operational failure belongs to ACTION arms, not COLLECTION arms.

THE ROLE OF INTELLIGENCE    

Every intelligence agency in the world:

• infiltrates extremist groups
• runs informants
• cultivates radical assets for data
• embeds operatives
• manipulates extremist cells

This includes:

• CIA
• MI6
• Mossad
• RAW
• ISI
• ASIO
• DGSE
• FSB

Why?

Because:

You cannot neutralize a terror network from the outside.

You must penetrate it from within.

So:

Zahran being previously used as an intelligence asset:

• is NORMAL
• is STANDARD
• is ESSENTIAL
• is UNIVERSAL

Therefore:

Using:

Zahran had intelligence links”

to imply:

Therefore Sallay enabled terrorism”

is:

Either extreme ignorance
Or deliberate psychological manipulation

Intelligence operations do not function through informal influence, but through documented command protocols.

Intelligence agencies monitor threats — they do not pre-emptively arrest without legal mandate.
Criminalizing intelligence monitoring collapses the legal firewall between observation and enforcement.

Any claim of shadow command must be supported by operational orders, written instructions, or recorded communications — none of which exist – this was attempted by Channel 4 using Maulana but that attempt has also failed.

RETURNING TO HISTORICAL CONTEXT — THE LTTE WAR PHASE

During LTTE war:

• Muslims were primary LTTE targets
• Eastern Muslims were:
  • massacred
  • ethnically cleansed
  • terrorized

Therefore:

Military Intelligence:

• actively recruited Muslim informants
• cultivated radical groups
• used Islamist networks to penetrate LTTE cells

So:

Using Muslim extremists as:

• informants
• penetrators
• moles
• assets

was:

STATE NECESSITY, NOT IDEOLOGICAL SYMPATHY

This collapses:

Sallay radicalized Zahran”

No — Sallay’s generation infiltrated extremists to destroy the LTTE.

Why did those who are using the above not raise objection to using Zaharan as an informant against the LTTE then?

There was no operational space for Islamic extremism during LTTE dominance.

Islamic extremism arose thereafter – Zaharan became extremist after falling to ideological influence just like Ibrahim’s 2 well-educated sons and the other 7 suicide bombers.

Intelligence agencies do not disengage from human assets based on future hypothetical misuse.

If this logic were accepted, every intelligence service on earth would be criminally liable for every terror act committed by former informants.

THE 2015 SECURITY COLLAPSE — ROOT CAUSE OF EXTREMIST EXPANSION

After regime change in 2015:

• Counter-terror surveillance units were dismantled
  • Intelligence officers were imprisoned on fabricated charges
  • Intelligence coordination collapsed
  • Sallay was removed from domestic intelligence and posted abroad

As a result:

Systematic monitoring of Islamic extremism ceased.

Between 2015–2019, extremist networks expanded without state surveillance, enabling:

• Radical recruitment
  • Ideological indoctrination
  • Suicide infrastructure development
  • External terror coordination

This vacuum — not intelligence complicity — produced the Easter tragedy.

WHY THIS NARRATIVE IS BEING PUSHED

1. To Deflect Institutional Guilt – to shift blame from operational failures

Failures clearly lie with:
• SIS Director
• CNI
• IGP
• CID leadership
• Defence Secretary
• National Security Council dysfunction

A scapegoat diverts attention from systemic collapse – manufacture a villain.

2. To Bury Foreign Intelligence Inaction

Indian intelligence issued advance warnings. Yet preventive action was not taken.
Blame-shifting avoids confronting this institutional paralysis.

Political interference blocked arrests, delayed raids, and disrupted coordination.

An intelligence conspiracy story buries political accountability.

The Inquiry Reports/Commission of Inquiry clearly shows the top officials knew of an impending attack but had not acted to prevent civilian loss.

Ignoring this fact and trying to pin blame of someone else does not make sense unless the aim is to create a notion that he had instructed all the top officials not to act.

Even to think of such is an institutional absurdity to the entire security apparatus of Sri Lanka.

3️. To protect Political actors

Certain political factions:

• ignored warnings
• blocked arrests
• delayed raids
• interfered in CID operations

So:

Create an intelligence conspiracy story to bury political culpability.

CHANNEL 4 & JUSTICE IMAM REPORT

In September 2023, Channel 4 broadcast a program alleging a grand plot” behind the Easter Sunday attacks, directly implicating Sri Lankan intelligence and floating a politically driven conspiracy theory.

This narrative relied almost entirely on Hamsa Maulana, a politically motivated exile currently residing abroad and seeking asylum. His credibility is undermined by his lack of documentation, inability to testify, and prior political affiliations that suggest a potential agenda. He failed to appear to testify before the Committee when invited.

The subsequently released Justice Imam Committee Report has now comprehensively dismantled this narrative.

Key findings:

• Gen. Suresh Sallaywas not in Sri Lanka at the alleged time of meetings — he was in New Delhi.
• Thecoconut estate meeting described by Hamsa never existed — police confirmed the structures did not exist.
• No evidenceexists of any communication, coordination, or instruction linking Sri Lankan intelligence to the attackers.
• Claims of apolitical motive to reinstall the Rajapaksas were deemed baseless conjecture.
• Hamsa’s testimony was classified as anoutright hoax” and unsupported by any corroboration.

The Committee described Channel 4’s broadcast as yellow journalism”, warning against sensationalist reporting that distorts national security realities and misleads the public.

This matters because the same collapsed narrative framework is now being used to construct the Suresh Sallay conspiracy theory — by deliberately blurring the line between intelligence infiltration and terrorist complicity.

WHY SALLAY IS A PRIME TARGET

Sallay is hated by:

Group	Why
LTTE networks	He crippled LTTE intelligence
Islamist radicals	He penetrated extremist cells
Foreign NGOs	He blocked foreign interference
Regime-change operators	He disrupted destabilization agendas
Media-NGO complex	He obstructed narrative control

So:

Destroying Sallay weakens Sri Lanka’s intelligence spine.

The next favorite argument will be:

Sallay used Zahran to destabilize the government and install Gotabaya.”

No intelligence doctrine — Eastern or Western — contains any operational model that sanctions civilian mass murder for political transition.

1️. Governments collapse from:

• economic mismanagement
• corruption
• governance failure
• weak governments appeasing to all & sundry become easy bait
  Not from terror operations.

2️. Mahinda Rajapaksa fell in 2015 without any terrorism

3️. 2018–2019 government was already collapsing:

• bond scams
• constitutional crisis
• political paralysis
• public anger
• economic stagnation
• local government election results clearly showed the yahapalana govt was on its way out of power.

So:

An Easter Sunday attack was not needed to overthrow that government.

The attempt to link Suresh Sallay to the Easter Sunday attacks is not a pursuit of truth. It is a strategic effort to collapse the distinction between intelligence infiltration and terrorist complicity, thereby criminalizing standard intelligence tradecraft itself.

This narrative is not designed to deliver justice. It is designed to conceal deeper institutional failures, shield political negligence, divert foreign accountability, and cripple Sri Lanka’s national intelligence capacity by demoralizing its armed forces and intelligence services.

At the same time, it dangerously deflects attention from the real and expanding threat — organized Islamic extremism — which continues to exploit political paralysis, institutional fear, and judicial confusion.

If this narrative succeeds, Sri Lanka will no longer be able to penetrate extremist networks, because every intelligence officer will fear future prosecution for doing precisely what intelligence officers are trained to do: cultivate assets, infiltrate hostile groups, and neutralize threats before they mature.

No democracy can survive if intelligence work itself becomes criminalized

That would represent not justice — but strategic self-destruction.

Selective Justice, Manufactured Villains & the Collapse of Credibility

Every single official report, Presidential Commission, and parliamentary inquiry into the Easter Sunday attacks converges on one uncontested fact:

The highest levels of Sri Lanka’s political, police, and intelligence leadership knew an attack was imminent and failed to act.

Yet, instead of enforcing accountability against those explicitly named and indicted by their own admissions, Sri Lanka now witnesses a grotesque inversion of justice:

Those not named are hunted.
Those named are protected.
And those who financed, facilitated, and ideologically nurtured the terrorists quietly walk free.

Nothing illustrates this moral and judicial collapse more starkly than the treatment of the father-in-law of one of the suicide bombers — a man from whose possession large quantities of gold, money, and assets were ceased, only for every single asset to be returned on the very same day of arrest.

This is not justice.
This is institutional mockery of justice.

If intelligence facilitation is to be criminalized, then:

• why are those who financed terror released?
• why are ideological incubators untouched?
• why are political gatekeepers unprosecuted?
• why are intelligence warnings admitted but inaction forgiven?

What moral logic allows gold seized from a terror financier to be returned within hours, while intelligence officers who never commanded operations are dragged through public humiliation becoming an internationalized drama?

What judicial system punishes non-command actors while protecting command authorities?

This selective outrage reveals the truth:

The objective is not accountability.
The objective is narrative engineering.

When guilt is assigned not by evidence but by convenience, justice ceases to exist. What remains is political theatre dressed in legal costume.

The people of Sri Lanka deserve to ask:

If top officials admitted knowledge of an imminent attack and failed to act —
why is that failure forgiven?

If financiers and ideological enablers are released —
why are intelligence officers not named in any reports prosecuted?

And if every report identifies systemic institutional collapse,
why is one individual being manufactured as the villain?

Until these contradictions are answered, every prosecution connected to Easter Sunday stands morally compromised.

This is not justice.
This is strategic scapegoating.

And it will not heal the wounds of the victims.

In fact the people must question those unable to accept the facts and wonder why they too are demanding a manufactured villain to be made guilty?

It will only ensure that the next attack finds Sri Lanka even more blind, more divided, and more defenceless while a demoralized armed force and politicized police will simply wait and watch.

Shenali D Waduge

මතුගම සෙනෙවිරුවන්

         දින විසි නවයකට පසු භික්ෂූන් වහන්සේලා සිවුනමක් සහ ගිහි දායකයන් පස් දෙනෙකුට  පසුගිය එකොලොස්වන දා  ත්‍රිකුණාමල මහාධිකරණයෙන් ඇප හිමිවුණි. මෙම නඩුව පවරා ඇත්තේ ත්‍රිකුණාමල වරාය පොලිසිය විසිනි. මෙම ලිඛීත පැමිණිල්ල 2025/11/17 දින වෙරළ සංරක්ෂණ නිළධාරී සුන්දරමූර්ති දීපරාජ් විසින්  කර ඇත. ත්‍රිකුණාමල කොටුව පාර ආසන්නයේ වෙරළ පැත්තට වන්නට පිහිටා තිබෙන ඉපැරණි ඓතිහාසික බෝධීය පදනම් කොට ගෙන පැවති බෝධීරාජ විහාරය අරභයා මෙම නඩුකරය ගොනුව පැවතිණ.මෙම විහාරයේ 1951 වසරේ සිට පවත්වාගෙන පැමිණි බෝධීවර්ධන දහම් පාසල නම් වූ ත්‍රිකුණාමල දිස්ත්‍රික්කයේ පළමුවන බෞද්ධ දහම් පාසල 2004 වසරේ දී සුනාමියෙන් විනාශයට පත් වූ පසු එය නැවත ගොඩ නැන්වෙන්නට මුල් ගල් තැබෙන්නේ 2025/11/16 දිනය.මෙතුවක් කල් ඒ ප්‍රතිසංස්කරණයට පමා වූයේ ඇයිද යන්න කෙනෙකුට ප්‍රශ්ණයක් විය හැකිය.නමුත් ඊට කාරණා බොහෝය.

      සුනාමියෙන් විපතට පත් දහම් පාසල පවත්වාගෙන පැමිණයේ ත්‍රිකුණාමල සම්බුද්ධ ජයන්ති බෝධී රාජ විහාරයේ විහාරාධිපතිව වැඩ සිටි පූජ්‍ය මිහිඳුපුර මහින්දවංශ නායක හිමියන් විසිනි. උන්වහන්සේ 2021 වසරේ දී අපවත් වන තෙක්ම මෙම දහම්පාසල යළි ගොඩ නැන්වීම පීලිබඳව අප්‍රමාණ වෙහෙසක්  දරා ඇත. 2006/12/27 දින  මෙම ප්‍රතිසංස්කරණයට විරුද්ධත්වයක් නොමැති බව දන්වා වෙරළ සංරක්ෂණ දෙපාර්තමේන්තුවේ අතිරේක වැඩබලන අධ්‍යක්ෂ ජනරාල් අනිල් ප්‍රේමරත්න මහතා විසින් විහාරාධීපති ස්වාමීන් වහන්සේ  වෙත යවන ලද ලිපිය අනුව වැඩ ආරම්භ කලද උන්වහන්සේට අලුත් වැඩියා කරගත හැකි වූයේ විනාශ වූ බෝධී ප්‍රාකාරය පමණකි. මෙම ඉඩම පෙර රජය සතු ඉඩමක් විය. එයට පැවති ආණ්ඩු වලින් වාර්ෂික බලපත්‍රයක් පිරිනමා තිබුණි.එම තත්වය තුළ ස්ථීරව මෙම ඉඩමට  අයිතියක් කිව හැකි වන පරිදි උන්වහන්සේ රජය වෙත වරින් වර ඉල්ලීම් කර ඇත. එහි ප්‍රතිඵලයක් වශයෙන් 2008 වසරේ දී සම්බුද්ධ ජයන්ති බෝධි රාජ විහාර භාරකාර මණ්ඩලය වෙත මෙම බෝධිය ඇතුලු ඉඩම හෙක්ටයාර් 0.1012 ප්‍රමාණයක වපසිරිය සහිත බදු කරයක් ලබා දී ඇත. ඉඩමේ අයිතිය තහවුරු වුවද නගර සභාව සහ ත්‍රිකුණාමල දේශපාලන අධිකාරිය දිගින් දිගටම උන්වහන්සේ හට මෙම ඉඳි කිරීම සිදු කරලීමට බාධා පමුණුවා ඇත. වෙරළ කලාපය ලස්සන කිරීමේ අදිටනින් යැයි මෙම ඉඩමද ඇතුළත්ව පයිනස් වගාවක් කරලීමට නගර සභාව කටයුතු කර ඇත.එහෙත් දහම් පාසල ගොඩ නනවන කල්හි ඒ වගාව ඉවත් කරන පොරොන්දුව මතය. මේඅතර පූජ්‍ය මිහිඳු පුර මහින්ද වංශ හිමියන් නැවත ජනාධිපතිවරයා වෙත කරන ලද ඉල්ලීමක ප්‍රතිඵලයක් වශයෙන් 2012 දී බදු කරය අවලංගු කොට පූජා ඔප්පුවක් ලබා දීමේ වැඩ කටයුතු ආරම්භ විය. ඒ අනුව හිටපු ජනාධිපති මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ මහතා ගේ අත්සනින් යුක්තව 2014 වසරේ දී මෙම ඓතිහාසික ඉඩමට පූජා ඔප්පුවක් ලබා දී ඇත.

          2016 වසරේ දී මෙම ඉඩම වෙන් කර ගැනීම පිණිස කටයුතු කරන කල්හි නැවත රාජ්‍ය ආයතන වලින් අවසර ගත යුතු විය. විශේෂයෙන්ම වෙරළ කලාපය ආසන්න සීමාවේ වැඩ කරන හෙයින් බලපත්‍රයක් ගත යුතු විය. එය ද ලැබුණි. වැටද ඉඳි කෙරුණි.මේ කාල වකවානුවෙන් පසු දහම් පාසල නැවත ගොඩ නැන්වීම පිණිස ප්‍රතිපාදන ලබා ගැනීමට උත්සාහ කළද එය සාර්ථක නොවීය.එය දිනෙන් දින පමා වූ අතර 2021 වසරේ දී නායක හිමියන් අභාවයට පත් විය.පූජ්‍ය මිහිඳුපුර මහින්දවංහ හිමියන්ගේ ශිෂ්‍ය පූජ්‍ය ත්‍රිකුණාමලයේ කල්‍යාණවංශතිස්ස හිමියන් විහාරය භාර ගත් පසු විහාරයේ නඩත්තුවද විදුලි බිල් ආදියේ ගෙවීම් කළ නොහැකි තත්වයක් යටතේ 2024 වර්ෂයේ දී වෙරළ සංරක්ෂණ දෙපාර්තමේන්තුවෙන් අවසර පත්‍රයක් ලබාගෙන සුභ සාධක වෙලෙඳ සලක් එම ඉඩමේ වීවෘත කර දායකයෙකුට ලබා දී ඇත. එම වෙළෙඳ සල පවත්වාගෙන යෑමේ දී ද පෙර පරිදම දේශපාලන අධිකාරියේ බලපෑම් ඇති වූ අතර එහි කළ යම් අතිරේක ඉඳි කිරීමක් නිසාවෙන් වෙරල සංරක්ෂෙණ පනත ක්‍රියාත්මක කර කඩා ඉවත් කරන බවට ස්වාමීන් වහන්සේට ලිපියක් ලැබෙන්නේ 2025 වසරේ දීය.උන් වහන්සේ එම තීරණයට විරුද්ධව අභීයාචනා කළ නමුත් සහනයක් නොලැබුණි . පසුව කොළඹ අභියාචනාධිකරණයේ  තහනම් නියෝගයක් ගැනීමට තීරණය කර අත. ඒ නඩුව තුළ යම් සමථයක් ඇති වන තත්වයක් උදාවුවද එය තවදුරටත් තීන්දු කර නැත.

     මේ අතර මෙම සිද්දිය රටපුරා වේගයෙන් ප්‍රචලිත වීමේ ප්‍රතිඵලයක් වශයෙන් බෞද්ධයන් ඉදිරිපත්ව දහම් පාසල නැවත ගොඩ නැගීමට උදව් කරන්නට ඉදිරිපත් විය.2025/11/16 දින එයට මුල් ගල් තැබෙන්නේ මේ නිසාය.එම දිනයේම එතනට පොලිසිය ළඟා වන අතර පැමිණිල්ලක් මත පැමිණි වගද ඉඳි කිරීම ඉවත් කර ගන්නා ලෙසටද ඉල්ලා ඇත. නමුත් පැමිණිල්ල පෙන්වා හෝ ඉඳි කිරීම් කැඩීමට ගත් උසාවි තීන්දුවක්ද පෙන්වා දී නොමැත.සැබවින්ම සිදුව පවතින්නේ මෙම ප්‍රදේශය පාලනය කරන ජාතික ජන බලවේගයේ මන්ත්‍රී වරුන් දෙදෙනා ගේ මැදිහත් වීම මත අදාළ වෙරළ සංරක්ෂණ නිළධාරියා විසින් වාචිකව පොලිසියට කරුණූ වාර්තා කිරීමයි. පසුව 2025/11/17 දින ලිඛිත පැමිණිල්ලක් සිදු කරන කල්හි බුදු පිළිම වහන්සේ පැහැර ගෙන ගොස් නඩු භාණ්ඩයක් බවට පත් කර ස්වාමීන් වහන්සේලාට පහර දී රෝහල් ගතව රට පුරා මහත් ආන්දෝලනයක් සිදු වී අවසන්ය.

     අනතුරුව 2026 ජනවාරි මස 14 දින මෙම ගැටුම සම්බන්ධව පොලිසිය පැවරූ නුඩුව උසාවියේ දී කැඳ විණ. එයට ඉදිරිපත් කරන ලද බී වාර්තාව අනුව විහාරාධිපති ස්වාමීන් වහන්සේ ඇතුලු එතනට එනම්  2025/11/16 දින වැඩම කරලූ තවත් ස්වාමීන් වහන්සේලා තුන් නමක්ද දායක සභාවේ සතර දෙනෙකු ද කොළඹ සිට 17 දින පැමිණි දුලාර ගුණතිලක මහතා ද චූදිතයන් ලෙසට නම් කර තිබුණි.දණ්ඩ නීති සංග්‍රහයේ 146 වගන්තිය අනුව  නීති විරෝධී රැස්වීමක් පවත්වා වෙරළ සංරක්ෂණ පනතේ 14(1)වගන්තිය උල්ලංඝණය කල බව ද එහි සඳහන්ය.සැබවින්ම සිදු වූයේ මුල් ගල් තැබීමේ පින්කමකි. එය පොලිසියට නීති විරෝධී රැස්වීමක් වී ඇත. වෙරළ සංරක්ෂණ පනත උල්ලංඝණය කලේ යැයි චෝදනා කරන්නේ නම් එයට වගකිම දැරිය යුත්තේ විහාරාධිපති හිමියන් පමණි.අනෙක් දායක පිරිස බෞද්ධ උපාසක උපාසිකාවන් ලෙසට පැමණී අතර කොළඹ සිට පැමිණී භික්ෂූන් වහ්නසේද ප්‍රදේශයේ තවත් භික්ෂූන් වහන්සේලා දෙ නමක්ද පැමිණ ඇත්තේ පින්කමට සාභාගි වී  පිරිත් සජ්ජායනය කොට මුල් ගල් තැබීමටය. උන්වහන්සේලාට අමතරව පළාතේ නායක හිමිවරුන් ඇතුලු සියල්ල දහ අට දෙනෙකු  වැඩම කර සිට ඇත.

         පොලිසිය මෙතනදී ක්‍රියාකර ඇත්තේ ස්වභාවික යුක්ති මූලධර්මයන් කඩ කොටය. 16 වන දා සිද්දියට 17 වන ද පැමිණි අයෙකු සම්බන්ධ කර චෝදනා ගොඩ නැගීම පන්සලේ පින්කම නීති විරෝධී රැස්වීමක් ලෙසට උසාවියට වාර්තා කිරීම ලිඛිත පැමිණිල්ලක් හෝ උසාවි නියෝගයක් නොමැතිව බුදු පීළිම වහන්සේ පැහැර ගෙන යෑම මෙම අනීතික ක්‍රියා විය.එතනදී ඇති වූ කලබලයේ දී භික්ෂූන් වහන්සේලාට පහර දීම සිදු කරන ලද්දේ මන්ද යන්න දන්නේ ඔවුන්මය. අපට පෙනෙන ආකාරයට දේශපාලනඅධිකාරයේ සෘජු මැදිහත් වීම මෙයට සිදු වී ඇත. එක් මන්ත්‍රීවරයෙකුට අවශ්‍ය වී තිබුණේ ජුස් බාර් එක යැයි ප්‍රසිද්ධ සුභ සාධක වෙළඳ සල තමන් ගේ හිතවතෙකුට පවරා දීමටයි. අනෙක් මන්ත්‍රී වරයෙකුට අවශ්‍ය වූයේ පන්සල ඉවත් කර බෝධීය අසල කෝවිලක් ඇටවීමටයි.ඒ සඳහා මීට පෙර වරින් වර ඉල්ලීම් සිදු කර තිබුණි.මෙයට කලින් මේ ප්‍රදේශයේ නීතිය හා සාමය ආරක්ෂා කළ කිසිවෙකු මේ විහාරයට විරුද්ධ නොවීය. 2004 වසරේ මුල් මාසයේ දී දහම් පාසලේ වහළ අලුත් වැඩියා කර ඇස්බැස්ටස් සෙවිළි  තහඩු කර දී ඇත්තේ ද වරාය පොලිසියේ සුභ සාධක අංශයයි. එසේ නම් වර්තමානය තුළ ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ පොලිස් අධිකාරිවරයෙකු සහ පොලිස් ස්ථානාධිපතිවරයෙකු මුල් වී පොලිස් සාර්ධර්මයන්ද පසෙක ලා නීතිය යුක්තිය අව භාවිතා කලේ මන්ද.සැබවින්ම ඊට හේතුව වන්නේ වර්තමානය තුළ පොලිසිය ඉතා තදින්ම මාලිමාකරණය වීමයි. පොලිස්පතිවරයාගේ සිට පහළටම අඩු වැඩි වශයෙන් එය සිදුව ඇත. ඒ තත්වය තුළ ගොරක දඩමස් කිරීමට දණ්ඩ නීති සංග්‍රහය යනුවෙන් ඉංග්‍රීසීන් විසින් නිර්මාණය කළ සීමා මායිම් නැති මාර්ගෝපදේශයක් තිබේ.මෙම නඩුවේ දී මුල් බී වාර්තාවෙන් චෝදනා දෙකක් ද  ඉන්පසු විත්තිකරුවන්ට එරෙහිව සම්පූර්ණයෙන්ම චෝදනා දහයක්ම ගොනු වන්නේ පොලිස් නිළධාරියෙකුට හිමි වී ඇති මේ වරප්‍රසාදය නිසාය. එය මහජනයා පෙළන ව්‍යවස්ථාව උල්ලංඝණය කරන අවියකි.එය භයානකය. මිනී මැරුමක් බලන්නට ගොස් තිටි තැනත්තෙකුට විරුද්ධව ද මිනී මැරුම් චෝදනා එල්ල කළ හැකිය. 1948 දී අප නිදහස ලැබුවායින්පසු දණ්ඩ නීති සංග්‍රහයට සහ අපරාධ නඩු විධාන සංග්‍රහයට සංශෝධන ගෙන ආ නුමුත් අර්ථ නිරූපණ සහිත සංශෝධනයක් ඇති නොවීය. අධීකරණ ඇමතිවරයාගේ අවධානය යොමු විය යුත්තේ මහජනයා පෙළන මෙවැනි නීති මූල ධර්මයන් ස්වභාවික යුක්ති මූලධර්මයන්ට සහ ව්‍යවස්ථාවට ගැලපෙන පරිදි වෙනස් කිරීමටයි. ත්‍රිකුණාමල සිද්දියෙන් ලැබිය යුතු යහපත් ප්‍රතිඵලයක් වන්නේ එයයි.

මතුගම සෙනෙවිරුවන්

Dr. Sarath Obeysekera 

Chairman SLPA 

Dear Dr. Parakram

As Chairman of the Advisory Board appointed to promote the development of Clappenburg Bay — where offshore oil rigs are currently laid up — I wish to bring to your attention several important matters requiring urgent clarification.

Over the past several years, we have worked consistently toward positioning Clappenburg as an offshore engineering and marine services hub. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) itself commissioned and prepared a feasibility report recommending the development of this area for such purposes.

However, recent developments indicate internal resistance to the project, including the assertion that the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has rejected it. I wish to respectfully clarify that I personally met the Chairman of the CEA, who confirmed that the Authority has not rejected the project. As per standard procedure, the CEA would only evaluate and approve an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) once a specific project proposal is submitted by an identified investor.

At present, SLPA appears to be seeking strategic clearance for approximately 500 acres. There also seems to be an unresolved institutional issue between SLPA and the Board of Investment (BOI) regarding jurisdiction and process. While these matters are being deliberated, valuable time is being lost.

If we continue to delay implementation pending resolution of inter-agency matters, the opportunity to develop this high-value offshore hub may be lost entirely. Furthermore, given the strategic importance of Trincomalee Harbour, prolonged inaction may invite external pressures or proposals that may not align fully with Sri Lanka’s long-term national interest.

I respectfully request that this matter be reviewed at the highest level, including consultation with the Planning Division, in order to establish a clear institutional pathway and move the project toward implementation without further delay.

With kind regards,

Dr. Sarath Obeysekera 

Sahar TV Clips

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Sri Lanka’s recent history of corporate collapses — particularly in civil construction and marine engineering — raises uncomfortable but unavoidable questions.

Why do once-celebrated conglomerates, entrusted with billion-rupee public projects, end up under restructuring or liquidation?

Why do banks absorb massive losses while corporate leaders often appear insulated?

And why does the cycle repeat?

The answers lie not merely in financial miscalculation — but in the dangerous intersection between corporate ambition and political patronage.

The Infrastructure–Political Nexus

Infrastructure in Sri Lanka has long been politically powerful:

• Highways
• Ports
• Marine facilities
• Irrigation systems
• Urban megaprojects

These projects carry enormous budgets and discretionary authority. Where discretion is high and transparency is weak, corruption risk rises.

Across developing economies, a familiar pattern emerges:

1. Corporate heads cultivate political proximity.
2. Politicians influence project allocation.
3. Contracts are accelerated or expanded.
4. Banks extend credit based on project visibility.
5. Cash flows depend on uninterrupted political goodwill.

When political leadership changes, so does protection.

And when protection disappears, financial fragility is exposed.

The Culture of Kickbacks

It is an open secret in many emerging economies that some infrastructure contracts carry informal facilitation expectations.”

Whether labeled as commissions, consultancy fees, or political contributions, such arrangements distort pricing structures and inflate project costs.

The consequences are severe:

• Projects become overpriced.
• Debt burdens increase.
• Companies overextend.
• Banks finance inflated valuations.

When economic downturns occur, inflated structures collapse first.

Corruption is not merely immoral — it is financially destabilizing.

Offshore Asset Diversification: A Governance Red Flag

Another troubling pattern frequently observed in emerging markets is the quiet externalization of wealth.

When corporate leaders accumulate substantial assets abroad — often through layered ownership structures — questions arise:

• Was wealth accumulation proportional to declared earnings?
• Were related-party transactions properly disclosed?
• Were shareholder interests protected?

The issue is not foreign investment itself. It is opacity.

When companies enter liquidation while executives retain private offshore assets, public trust erodes dramatically.

This perception — whether legally proven or not — damages the credibility of the entire corporate sector.

Banks as Silent Enablers?

Large lending institutions, including People’s Bank and Commercial Bank of Ceylon, have historically financed infrastructure expansion.

Key questions must be asked:

• Were loans stress-tested against political risk?
• Were related-party exposures fully transparent?
• Did concentration risk exceed prudential thresholds?
• Were independent risk committees empowered to override political pressure?

When politically connected conglomerates receive disproportionate credit exposure, systemic risk builds quietly.

Liquidation Is Not an Accident

The fact that several civil and marine engineering firms now operate under liquidators or court-supervised restructuring is not random.

Liquidation is typically the end-stage of:

• Excessive leverage
• Poor governance
• Cash-flow mismatches
• Political overexposure
• Weak regulatory oversight

If corruption or kickback cultures were embedded in project allocation, liquidation becomes almost inevitable once economic stress tests the system.

The National Cost

Corporate collapse does not punish only executives.

It affects:

• Employees
• Subcontractors
• Pension funds
• Bank depositors
• Taxpayers

When banks restructure bad loans, the public indirectly absorbs the cost.Corruption in infrastructure is therefore not a private crime.

It is a public tax.

The Reform Imperative

If Sri Lanka is serious about rebuilding investor confidence, several steps are essential:

1. Mandatory forensic audits for large public contractors.
2. Public disclosure of beneficial ownership structures.
3. Strict enforcement of related-party transaction rules.
4. Transparent digital procurement systems.
5. Political finance reform to reduce hidden commissions.”
6. Independent oversight insulated from ministerial interference.

Most importantly, asset declaration regimes must extend beyond politicians to include directors of major state-dependent contractors.

Transparency must be universal — not selective.

Conclusion

Sri Lanka cannot afford another cycle of:

Political proximity → Contract expansion → Debt accumulation → Collapse → Public loss.

If corruption and kickbacks distort the corporate sector, the entire economic system weakens.

The fall of major civil and marine engineering conglomerates should not be viewed as isolated business failures. They are warning signals about governance, accountability, and political culture.

Until transparency replaces patronage, liquidation will remain the final chapter of many ambitious corporate stories.

And the bill will continue to be paid by the nation.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Courtesy The Maritime Executive, 

[By: Indian Register of Shipping]

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) crossed a significant milestone with the launch of its first defence-export project – a Floating Dry Dock (FDD) being constructed for the Sri Lanka Navy at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).

The Chief Guest at the launching ceremony, held on 19 February 2026 at GSL, was Rear Admiral MDK Wijewardana of the Sri Lanka Navy. Senior officials from the shipyard and IRS were also present. The project represents a landmark achievement in IRS’s expanding defence portfolio and underscores India’s growing role as a trusted maritime partner in the Indian Ocean Region.

The Floating Dry Dock, designed and built to meet the operational requirements of the Sri Lanka Navy, will significantly enhance their in-country ship repair and maintenance capabilities. The dock will support underwater repair, and maintenance of a large range of naval vessels, thereby improving operational readiness and self-reliance. IRS has been closely associated with the project, providing classification services and technical oversight in accordance with its Rules and standards.

The successful launch of the Floating Dry Dock stands as a testament to the strong partnership between IRS, Goa Shipyard Limited, and the Sri Lanka Navy. It also aligns with broader efforts to promote indigenous shipbuilding, enhance defence exports, and advance India’s position as a global maritime hub.

This launch marks a historic milestone for IRS as our first defence export project” said Cdr KK Dhawan, Head Defence at IRS. It reflects the trust placed in Indian shipbuilding and classification capabilities and demonstrates our commitment to supporting friendly foreign navies with robust, reliable and globally benchmarked technical standards. We are proud to contribute to strengthening maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.”

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay (Retd.)

---

There is growing realisation that the allegations made by Azad Maulana would be worthless in practical terms in a court of law until and unless Azad Maulana himself backs it up by testifying himself in a Sri Lankan tribunal and being cross examined by lawyers. He could even do this from afar by electronic methods too

Let me begin this article with an apology and explanation to readers. This week’s column should have been the second and final part of last week’s article (‘Is JVP Gen-Sec Tilvin, the power behind President Dissanayake’s throne?’). However this week’s column would be about the sensational arrest and detention of former Intelligence chief Major General Suresh Sallay. The Tilvin Silva article will be published next week.

Former head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) and ex-chief of Military Intelligence, Major General Suresh Sallay (Retd.) was arrested by a special team of police officers from the  Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Peliyagoda at 8.10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Provisions of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) were invoked to detain him for questioning for a 72 hour period. Thereafter he may be either released or held further for a period of 90 days on a detention order under the PTA.

Meera Srinivasan, the Colombo Correspondent of ‘The Hindu’, quoted an unnamed senior official who stated that the arrest was made under the PTA based on adequate evidence” and described it as a major breakthrough”in the on going investigation into the dastardly Easter Sunday attacks.

Three churches and four hotels in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa were attacked  in the morning of  April 21, 2019 (Easter Sunday) by suicide bombers belonging to an Islamic radical group. 270 persons including 45 foreign nationals were killed and over 500 injured in the attacks.

Media briefing

According to newspaper reports, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Legal Division, Jaliya Senaratne speaking at a special media briefing said that since Sallay has been arrested under the provisions of the PTA, he could be held for 72 hours (three days) for questioning. Thereafter, based on the evidence, steps can be taken to obtain a detention order, and that legal provisions exist for this purpose,” he added. Senaratne also said the public will be informed in due course about the facts that they need to know regarding Sallay’s arrest.

The Senior DIG in charge of the Western Province, Sajeewa Medawatte, also addressing the same press conference, stated that Sallay was arrested based on evidence related to the 2019 Easter attacks bombings. Medawatte further mentioned that a lengthy investigation needs to be conducted in this regard and that more information will be revealed in due course. 

He also noted that it is difficult to disclose further information within a few hours and emphasised that the Police have carried out their duties properly. Responding to journalists’ questions about allegations that a campaign has been launched against the Police for arresting Sallay without properly disclosing the reason, he stated that if the arrest had not been made, there would have been a campaign against the Police for failing to act. Medawatte further said that during further  interrogation of Sallay, information about the mastermind behind the 2019 Easter attacks may be uncovered.

One of the key promises made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was to carry out a full investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks. The arrest of Suresh Sallay is the first high profile arrest of a defence official  after President Dissanayake became President in September 2024. The arrest of a former intelligence chief in connection with the Easter bombings has received wide coverage in the national and international media.

High-ranking positions

Major General Sallay (Retd.) has held several high-ranking positions within Sri Lanka’s security and diplomatic spheres in a career spanning more than three decades. 1987: Joined the Sri Lanka Army (Infantry and Signals). 2006-2009: First Secretary, Sri Lankan Embassy in Paris. 2012-2016: Director of Military Intelligence (DMI) 2016-2018: Minister Counsellor, Sri Lankan High Commission in Malaysia. 2019 (Jan.-Nov.): Student, National Defence College, New Delhi 2019–2024: Director, State Intelligence Service (SIS). Following his removal as SIS chief in late 2024, Sallay joined the Pathfinder Foundation, a prominent think tank  in a senior capacity.

‘Channel 4’ TV

This writer is not aware of the  available evidence in the hands of the Police or  whether ‘new’ evidence has been acquired concerning Suresh Sallay’s alleged involvement in the Easter attacks. However the alleged involvement of Sallay was first made in the public domain by  Mohammed Hanzeer alias Azad Maulana in a ‘Channel 4’ TV programme. Azad Maulana was formerly a close aide of TMVP leader and former Eastern Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillaiyaan.

The chief allegation by Azad Maulana regarding Suresh Sallay was that he had got him (Azad Maulana) to arrange a meeting between the head of the National Thowheed Jamath head and chief suicide bomber Zahran Hashim and Suresh Sallay in the Puttalam District. Suresh Sallay responded then to this by proving that he was in Malaysia at the time this alleged meeting took place. Sallay also stated that he was in New Delhi when the Easter bombings occurred.

Interaction

To strike a personal note, I have never met Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay. However I did interact with him by electronic mail and telephone from Canada in early 2014 when Sallay was head of Military Intelligence. This was to get some information for a series of articles about an aborted attempt to revive the LTTE. Sallay was very frank and forthright in disclosing details.  My impression of Suresh Sallay through that brief long-distance interaction was that he was an efficient, capable and knowledgeable intelligence chief.

It is against this backdrop that this column focuses on the arrest of Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay and his alleged connection to the April 2019 bombings with emphasis on the allegations made by Azad Maulana. I shall re-visit the past with the aid of some earlier writings of mine in this respect.

Conspiracy theories

The coordinated suicide bomber attacks by a group of misguided Muslim zealots against three churches and four luxury hotels in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa on Easter Sunday (21 April) in 2019 brought in its wake several conspiracy theories. Chief among these was the one which suspected that an official or officials of Sri Lanka’s intelligence services had manipulated the Muslim youths into launching the attacks with the objective of facilitating the return to power of former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa as President. This conspiracy theory received a tremendous boost in 2023 when Britain’s ‘Channel 4’ TV aired the documentary ‘Sri Lanka’s Easter bombings’ in its ‘Dispatches’ programme on Tuesday September 5, 2023. Tamil Makkal Viduthalaip Puligal (TMVP) leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillaiyaan’s former secretary and ex-TMVP spokesperson Mohammed Milhilar Mohammed Hanzeer alias Azad Maulana was the whistleblower who made the controversial disclosures.

The documentary aired on ‘Dispatches’ by ‘Channel 4’ on September 5 titled Sri Lanka’s Easter bombings, was screened by the Universal Human Rights Council (UHRC) on the evening of Thursday, September 21, 2023 in Geneva. The venue was the Octagon Campus 2, Chemin du Pavillon 1218 Grand Saconne. 

Azad Maulana’s statementThere was a discussion after the screening. Prior to the discussion, copies of a detailed statement issued by Azad Maulana were distributed to those present. Azad Maulana who was not present physically answered questions via video link later. The statement issued by Azad Maulana was a clarification and amplification of the comments made by him in the documentary. The information he divulged in the film was placed in perspective by providing more details in the statement. Here are some relevant excerpts:

Relevant excerpts: 

On 21 April 2019 on Easter Sunday a terror attack killed 269 persons including 45 children, and 40 foreigners and injured more than 500 others. Only when the media revealed the identity of the suicide bombers after the attack did I realise that I had strong evidence about the masterminds and other perpetrators and also the motivation for this terror attack. I have in no way been involved in preparing or carrying out these terrible and devastating attacks.” 

Following the defeat of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government in 2015, Pillaiyaan was arrested and imprisoned in the Batticaloa prison under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with the murder of former Tamil National Alliance Member of Parliament Joseph Pararajasingham, who was shot dead on the Christmas Day of 2005 at the St. Mary’s Cathedral, Batticaloa.”

As a Secretary to Pillaiyaan, the court had granted me permission, along with his lawyers, to meet Pillaiyaan to discuss legal matters. During a visit in September 2017, Pillaiyaan told me that some Muslim prisoners from Kattankudy were with him in the same cell. A father, his son and six others had been remanded for extremist activities and attacks on another Muslim group in Kattankudy. They were from an organisation called National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ).” 

On Pillaiyaan’s request, I met Sainy Moulavi. Later, Pillaiyaan asked me to contact the Military Intelligence (MI) to arrange funds for these prisoners’ relatives to pay their bail. They were released on October 24, 2017. At the end of January 2018, Pillaiyaan told me to arrange a secret meeting between Suresh Sallay, who was then a Brigadier, and Sainy Moulavi’s group. Pillaiyaan said that Suresh Sallay would inform me about the meeting place and time.”

A few days later Suresh Sallay contacted me and asked me to request Sainy Moulavi to come to the Puttalam Vanaththavillu area. The next day I travelled with an MI officer from Colombo to Puttalam, Sainy Moulavi’s group came from Kurunegala. Pillaiyaan advised us not to use my own vehicle or driver for this meeting and said that the transport would be facilitated by the MI.” 

The meeting took place in early February 2018 at a large coconut farm of 50 to 60 acres, located outside of Puttalam. Suresh Sallay arrived in a grey colour Toyota car with a driver. Sainy Moulavi arrived 30 minutes later with a group of six persons in a white van. Sainy Moulavi introduced his elder brother Moulavi Zaharan as the leader of the group. The meeting lasted for more than two hours. I did not participate in the meeting but waited outside.” 

After the meeting, I travelled to Batticaloa and on the next day updated Pillaiyaan about the meeting. Pillaiyaan said that Suresh Sallay had a big plan and a deal with Zahran’s group like the one with TMVP. He told me to keep the information about this meeting secret and to assist if they asked for any help. Besides the meeting with Sainy Moulavi in prison in September 2017, I met Zahran and his group only one time in February 2018 during the meeting with Suresh Sallay. Apart from this, I had no connection or relationship with them. I was not aware of their terrorist intent or plan until after the terror attack.” 

On Easter Sunday, 21st April 2019, Suresh Sallay contacted me at around 7 a.m. and told me to go immediately to the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo, to pick up a person who was waiting there and take the person’s phone. I told him that I was currently in Batticaloa and not in Colombo.” 

About an hour after this conversation, simultaneous terrorist attacks took place across the country. Immediately after the attacks Pillaiyaan sent a message through a prison guard and asked me to meet him urgently. When I saw him in prison at about 11 a.m. on Easter Sunday he told me that the mastermind behind the Easter attack was Suresh Sallay and that he had assumed that an attack like this would happen.” 

He asked me to call Sainy Moulavi to find out, there was, however, no response. It was only because of media reports in the evening that I realised that the participants in the meeting that I had organised at the request of Pillaiyan were indeed suicide bombers involved in the Easter attack.”

Through the President’s Investigation Commission and the inquiries of the CID I also learned that the person whom Suresh Sallay had wanted me to meet was Jameel, the bomber who had been tasked to carry out a suicide attack at the Taj Samudra Hotel but then, in a last-minute change of plans, left the Taj and later exploded himself in a small hotel in Dehiwala.”

Political asylum

After fleeing from Sri Lanka via India  to Europe, Azad Maulana  applied for political asylum in Switzerland. Thereafter he went to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and made a detailed statement to a panel from the OHCHR Sri Lanka Accountability project. He took five days to testify. 

Apart from the OHCHR, Maulana has also made statements to several other human rights organisations and international NGOs. It could be seen therefore that Azad Maulana has the capacity and potential to provide much information regarding April 21, 2019 attacks. 

At the same time there is growing realisation that the allegations made by Azad Maulana would be worthless in practical terms in a court of law until and unless Azad Maulana himself backs it up by testifying himself in a Sri Lankan tribunal and being cross examined by lawyers. He could even do this from afar by electronic methods too. 

Maulana’s reluctance

The problem was Azad Maulana’s reluctance to cooperate with the Sri Lankan judicial system alone. He was willing to testify only before an independent international investigation. The statements made by Azad Maulana on ‘Channel 4’ and at a public meeting in Geneva indicated this state of mind.This is what Azad Maulana  said: As a witness to the planning of several terrorist attacks, political assassinations and kidnappings in Sri Lanka, I am willing to testify in investigations into these crimes. I do not believe, however, that the authorities in Sri Lanka have an interest in revealing the truth. I will therefore only bear witness before an international independent investigation.”

The key question therefore is whether Azad Maulana has  now changed his mind and is prepared to testify in open court. Has the advent of a new JVP-led NPP Government headed by President Dissanayake  resulted in Maulana cooperating with the investigation?  If so has this enabled Sri Lankan sleuths to gain more information about the Eastern bombings?

Pillaiyaan

Furthermore TMVP leader Pillaiyaan too has been detained under the PTA since April 2025. Media reports have stated that he is being interrogated about the April bombings. Has that interrogation yielded information leading to Suresh Sallay’s arrest? We do not know at this juncture and have to wait for the Police to reveal more details at the appropriate time as promised by senior DIG’s at the media conference.

However it must be emphasised that all allegations made by Azad Maulana are yet to be verified and authenticated. Moreover, they have been denied as falsehoods by those whom the allegations were levelled against especially Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay.

Conjecture and inference

The primary charge made against Sallay by Maulana hinges around an alleged meeting at Karadippooval in Puttalam between the intelligence chief and Zahran Hashim the National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) leader and livewire behind the Easter bombings.Maulana’s allegation is essentially conjecture and inference based on that meeting.

However, it must be said in fairness to Suresh Sallay that he has denied being in Sri Lanka at the time of the  purported meeting. Has the Police received further information on this matter now? Will the  arrest,detention and interrogation of Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay lead to a breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the April 2019 Bombings?

(D.B.S.Jeyaraj can be reached at dbsjeyaraj@yahoo.com) 

Courtesy Adaderana

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says the government must reveal the truth to the country regarding the alleged mastermind behind the substandard coal fraud.

He made these remarks today after meeting Ven. Wilanagama Chandrarathana Thero at the Sri Hewasingharama Temple in Aranayake, Kegalle, and addressing the media thereafter.

Premadasa stated that there are serious issues concerning the quality of coal currently being imported, as well as problems related to the quantity and delays in shipments. 

He alleged that these issues stem from an inefficient, irregular, and failed procurement process adopted in purchasing coal, claiming that a fraudulent scheme had operated to import substandard coal.

He further noted that although Sri Lanka requires 36 coal shipments annually, only 11 high-quality Russian shipments had been received, while the remaining 25 shipments were imported through a separate tender process. Of the 10 shipments brought in under that process, nine have reportedly been proven to be substandard, he claimed.

The Opposition Leader pointed out that emergency purchases are made when the required quantity and standard of coal are not received on time, adding that such emergency procurement methods could result in significant financial losses to the country, the public, and electricity consumers.

He also stated that as it takes around 40 days for a coal shipment to arrive in the country, the relevant tender has been implemented between April 20 and May 15. 

He alleged that the government has placed orders for five additional ships during this period due to the poor quality of previously imported coal.

Premadasa further claimed that the nine coal shipments imported by the government are incapable of generating 300 megawatts of electricity, stressing that a large-scale fraud has taken place as a result of the substandard coal imports, causing substantial losses to the country, the public, and the government.

He further added that the government must disclose who the masterminds behind the alleged coal fraud are, reveal the full truth, and clarify what action will be taken against those responsible.

Courtesy Adaderana

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has obtained a 90-day detention order to question former state intelligence chief Major General (Retd) Suresh Sallay, the police said. 

Former Head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay was arrested on Wednesday (25) morning by CID officers in connection with the investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks. 

Police said he was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA) based on evidence related to the 2019 Easter Attacks Bombings.

Coordinated suicide bombings carried out by a group of Islamic extremists led by Zahran Hashim on April 21, 2019, targeted eight locations including churches and hotels, killing at least 273 people.

Following the bombings, a number of investigations were launched including probes by a Parliamentary Select Committee and a Presidential Commission of Inquiry.

Based on the findings from those investigations, indictments were filed before a permanent three-judge bench of the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar against 25 accused, including Naufar Moulavi, over alleged direct links to the terror group. The trial is currently being heard on a daily basis.

Amid continued allegations by various parties that there was a political hand behind the attacks, investigations were expedited following appointment of the new government.

Controversy also intensified after the British television network Channel 4 aired a documentary titled Sri Lanka’s Easter Bombings: Dispatches”, which alleged that a meeting involving Maj. Gen. Sallay and members of the Thowheed Jamath organization discussed creating instability in the country to facilitate the return to power of the Rajapaksas. The allegations were linked to claims made by Azad Maulana, a former media spokesman for Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, who is currently seeking political asylum in Switzerland.

The CID had also informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on several occasions about a confidential investigation being conducted into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.