<ul><li>Contractors face ‘Defaulted Contractor’ status after three larvae detections</li><li>Air Force drones deployed to identify hidden mosquito breeding sites</li><li>Over 8,000 legal actions filed this year as dengue cases top 63,800</li></ul> Construction companies repeatedly found violating dengue prevention measures risk being blacklisted, with the Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA) warning that contractors could be declared "Defaulted Contractors" if dengue mosquito larvae are detected at their sites on three occasions.CIDA sources told The Daily Morning yesterday (8) that the Authority had strengthened dengue prevention measures within the construction industry following concerns raised several years ago that construction sites were contributing significantly to mosquito breeding. In some areas, construction sites accounted for around 40 per cent of dengue larvae breeding, prompting stricter preventive measures.As part of these measures, CIDA has incorporated dengue prevention requirements into its standard documentation for building projects. Under the Preliminary Bill for Building Works, employers are required to allocate funds specifically for dengue prevention activities at construction sites.Sources said the measures were introduced in line with policy directives issued by the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) and the then Construction Ministry, and remain in force.A committee comprising representatives of the CIDA, the NDCU, the Police and the Environment Ministry conducts inspections of construction sites and monitors compliance with dengue control measures. Where shortcomings are identified, contractors are directed to rectify them. However, those who repeatedly fail to comply face disciplinary action.Sources explained that if Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) detect dengue mosquito larvae at the same construction site on three occasions, the matter can be referred to the CIDA's disciplinary committee. Following an inquiry, the contractor may be listed as a "Defaulted Contractor" under the CIDA's regulatory framework."In addition to site inspections, construction projects are required to submit monthly records indicating whether PHIs have issued any red notices relating to dengue control," they said.According to sources, no red notices have been issued against construction sites in recent months, although the industry faced allegations over mosquito breeding at several sites about three years ago. They added that the Authority continues to work with relevant agencies to ensure construction sites do not become breeding grounds for dengue-carrying mosquitoes, particularly as the country battles rising dengue cases.Meanwhile, Acting Director of the NDCU, Dr&nbsp;Kapila Kannangara, told The Daily Morning that hidden mosquito breeding sites on rooftops of high-rise buildings, apartment complexes and construction sites had prompted the Air Force to deploy drones to assist health authorities in detecting areas inaccessible to ground inspections.The drone surveillance programme, which began within the Colombo Municipal Council limits, has now been extended to Kalutara, Bandaragama and Ingiriya, where inspections are continuing to identify concealed breeding sites on elevated structures.Dr&nbsp;Kannangara said any location where rainwater is allowed to collect has the potential to become a breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes, including both active construction sites and completed buildings.Construction sites are particularly vulnerable when water accumulates on unfinished concrete slabs, lift shafts and other structures without proper drainage. However, completed apartment buildings also pose a risk if rooftop slabs, blocked drainage outlets or poorly maintained water tanks allow stagnant water to collect.He noted that determining the exact number of construction sites nationwide remained difficult, as the information would have to be gathered from numerous Divisional Secretariats. He stressed that the problem was not confined to construction sites alone, pointing out that many high-rise apartment buildings have rooftop slabs, water tanks and other structures that can become mosquito breeding grounds if drainage systems are poorly maintained.He emphasised that rainwater should be able to drain freely from concrete slabs, warning that blocked drainage outlets can leave stagnant water for several days, creating ideal breeding conditions. He said this was one of the key reasons for seeking the Air Force's assistance.Meanwhile, the Public Health Inspectors' Union (PHIU) said legal action had been initiated against more than 8,000 houses and institutions so far this year for allowing dengue breeding grounds, blaming declining public vigilance for the current surge in cases.Speaking to The Daily Morning, PHIU Secretary Chamil Muthukuda said PHIs, together with the NDCU, were continuing dengue prevention programmes and inspections to eliminate mosquito breeding sites."Usually, during the monsoon period, dengue spreads across the country. Yet this time there is a surge due to several reasons," he said.Muthukuda said public interest in dengue prevention had declined after cases reduced in recent years. He added that changing weather patterns, with intermittent rainfall followed by high daytime temperatures, had created ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. Improper garbage disposal also remained a major concern, while the emergence of a dengue strain with a higher transmission rate had contributed significantly to the outbreak.He also noted that the University of Moratuwa and the University of the Visual and Performing Arts were currently closed due to dengue outbreaks.Elsewhere, the number of dengue-related deaths reported this year has risen to 42, according to Dr&nbsp;Kannangara.He said 63,835 dengue cases had been reported nationwide as of Tuesday (7), including 8,450 cases recorded in July alone. Special dengue prevention campaigns would continue in the coming days to curb the spread of the disease.The Western Province accounts for 52.4 per cent of all reported infections. Among the districts, Colombo has recorded the highest number of cases (12,663), followed by Gampaha (12,582) and Kalutara (4,191).&nbsp;&nbsp;

Builders risk blacklisting over dengue

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced yesterday (8) that it will conduct a ‘Water Supply Disconnection Week’ from 13 to 19 July, to recover outstanding water bill arrears. The programme will be carried out from Colombo 1 to 15, as well as in the Maharagama and Kotte areas. The NWSDB has urged customers with overdue water bills to settle all outstanding payments on or before 13 July to avoid the disconnection of their water supply. The Board also appealed to consumers to make their payments on time to ensure the uninterrupted service.

Water cut threat over unpaid bills 

Former Minister Jagath Pushpakumara, who was arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) earlier yesterday (8), was granted bail. He was released on two surety bails amounting to Rs &nbsp;500,000 each after being produced before the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court.&nbsp;Pushpakumara was arrested at around 9:20 a.m. by Commission officers over alleged corruption-related offences. The allegations against Pushpakumara relate to several incidents involving State-owned plantation companies during election periods. According to the Commission, during the 2014 Uva Provincial Council Election period, Pushpakumara instructed the Chilaw Plantations Company and the Kurunegala Plantations Company to print 250,000 posters and leaflets claiming that they were for public awareness programmes on Government development projects. The alleged action resulted in the two Companies incurring expenses of over Rs &nbsp;2.66 million. He is also accused of arranging the purchase of clothing items from the two plantation Companies during the 2015 Presidential Election period, including 5,000 sarong and T-shirt sets and 5,000 skirt and blouse sets, purportedly for flood relief distribution. The Commission alleges that the purchases were made without following proper procedures, costing the Companies over Rs &nbsp;3.27 million and Rs 3 million respectively, and that the items were not distributed. Pushpakumara has also been accused of influencing officials to obtain T-shirts and sarees from the two plantation companies for participants attending May Day rallies in 2013 and 2014.

Ex-Minister Jagath Pushpakumara bailed 

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stressed the need to establish a stronger social security system based on a scientific assessment mechanism to ensure that welfare programmes genuinely empower beneficiary families. The President made these remarks during a pre-Budget discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat to review projects implemented under this year’s (2026) Budget allocations of the Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Ministry and to discuss proposals for next year’s (2027) Budget.During the meeting, President Dissanayake instructed officials to develop a comprehensive poverty eradication programme by integrating funds currently distributed among various institutions and directing them towards identified families in need.

Prez urges comprehensive poverty eradication 

The pilot project currently being implemented to reduce social media usage among children below the age of 16 has shown successful results, Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya stated. The Premier made these remarks in Parliament yesterday (8) in response to a question raised by Opposition Parliamentarian Harshana Rajakaruna.Expressing her views on this, Dr Amarasuriya stated that steps have been taken to formulate a national code of guidelines aimed at minimising social media usage among children under the age of 16, while also initiating a national-level awareness programme based on the concept of “Brain Health” to promote children’s mental well-being. She further stated that the Women and Child Affairs Ministry has already launched a pilot project to implement a family empowerment programme. Under this initiative, methods have been introduced to support families with children under the age of 18 in addressing excessive mobile phone usage among children, and positive outcomes have been reported through these pilot programmes. She emphasised that this is a priority area requiring Government intervention and cannot be addressed through a single measure alone.“We are considering a range of measures, not merely a ban on social media. Discussions are currently underway to identify the most suitable approaches for Sri Lanka, including providing guidance on social media usage and ‘digital health’ within the education system and other relevant areas. We intend to submit these proposals to the Cabinet of Ministers within this year (2026),” she stated.

Social media for under 16s: PM hails family empowerment pilot project

<ul><li>One more Prison officer dies </li><li>Over 1,000 inmates transferred; 2 die post-transfer </li></ul> The bodies of the Prison officers killed during Monday's violence at the Negombo Prison were brought to the Welikada Prison yesterday (8) in a funeral procession. Following final rites and tributes, their remains were handed over to their families.Meanwhile, another Prison officer who was injured in the clashes earlier this week succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital, authorities said.The latest death has raised the toll from the 5 and 6 July prison violence to 28 – comprising eight Prison officers and 20 inmates. More than 100 others were injured and admitted to hospitals, with hospital sources saying that 20 remain in critical condition.Seven officers attached to the Prison Special Tactical Unit were killed during Monday's unrest after allegedly being attacked by inmates. The violence erupted after Prison authorities began distributing food and refreshments following the restoration of order after the initial unrest on 5 July.According to Prison sources, a clash broke out among inmates during the distribution. A Prison officer who intervened was attacked with stones and other objects. The Chief Jailor, who had recently been appointed to the Pallansena Prison and was assisting efforts to restore order, was also assaulted before fellow officers rescued him. Officers from the Prison Emergency Assault Tactical Force who entered the area were then subjected to severe attacks. Prison sources alleged that some inmates hurled large stones at officers, with several sustaining fatal head injuries.Meanwhile, an inmate transferred to the Angunakolapelessa Prison following the unrest has also died. Another inmate transferred to the Boossa Prison died after falling ill and being admitted to the Galle National Hospital, according to Prisons Media Spokesperson A.C. Gajanayake.Post-mortem examinations of those who died in the clashes commenced on Tuesday.A calm situation prevailed at the Negombo Prison yesterday, although heavy security remained in place.Relatives of inmates again gathered outside the Prison seeking information about family members. Authorities displayed a list of inmates transferred to other prisons, but some relatives became agitated after failing to obtain information about certain inmates.A total of 1,033 inmates have been transferred from the Negombo Prison following Monday's violence. Authorities are also considering relocating all remaining inmates while investigations continue into the deaths.However, forensic officials and court officers have reportedly not yet entered the Prison due to ongoing security concerns.The Negombo Police submitted an initial report to the Negombo Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, after which investigations were handed over to the Colombo Crime Division and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). CID officers informed the Court that they had assumed responsibility for the inquiry and recorded statements from witnesses. Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Asanka Karawita, who heads the CID, also visited the Prison on Tuesday to supervise the investigations.Meanwhile, Opposition MPs wore black armbands in Parliament yesterday in protest, demanding that the Government accept responsibility for the deaths resulting from the prison violence.The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) also expressed concern over the incident, condemning all forms of violence and warning that violence within detention facilities undermines the rule of law, erodes public confidence in the justice system and endangers inmates, Prison officers and correctional staff.The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has meanwhile written to the Prisons Commissioner General (Covering Up Duties) regarding its investigation into the violence and subsequent events at other prisons.The Commission said it received information on Tuesday evening that inmates transferred to Angunakolapelessa, Boossa, Batticaloa, Dumbara, Jaffna and Welikada prisons had allegedly been subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment. It also received information regarding the death of an inmate while in the custody of Welikada Prison officials.A Rapid Response Unit team from the HRCSL visited the Welikada Prison at about 8.30 p.m. on Tuesday to inquire into the welfare of inmates. However, the Commission said the Chief Jailer denied the team access, citing that it was after official visiting hours.The HRCSL noted that it is legally empowered to enter any prison at any time to inspect detention conditions and expressed concern over the denial of access.The Commission directed the Prisons Commissioner General to issue written instructions to all prison officials to grant HRCSL officers unrestricted access to prisons at any time, refrain from torture, ill-treatment or reprisals against inmates – including those recently transferred from the Negombo Prison – and ensure their protection while in custody.The HRCSL also urged prison authorities to fully cooperate with its investigation into the Negombo Prison violence and subsequent incidents reported at other prison facilities. PHOTOS Krishan Kariyawasam

Negombo Prison incident: Tribute for slain Prison officers

<ul><li>&nbsp;Piyasena informed the Court that investigations were concluded and relevant files forwarded to the AG</li><li>Said the British university had invited Wickremesinghe </li></ul>&nbsp;The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday (8) ordered that the Attorney General’s (AG) stance on the legal action to be taken against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake be presented to Court during the next hearing. The case filed over the alleged misappropriation of public funds against Wickremesinghe and Ekanayake has been adjourned till 30 September. The case was taken up yesterday before Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena. During the proceedings, Senior State Counsel Samadari Piyasena informed the Court that investigations into the incident had been concluded and that the relevant files had been forwarded to the AG. Piyasena further requested that a date be granted to communicate the AG’s position on the matter.Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered that the complaint be recalled on 30 September and directed that the AG’s stance be notified to the Court on that date.The case was filed on allegations that Wickremesinghe misused Government funds to travel to the UK in 2023 to attend a ceremony honouring his wife, Prof. Maithree Wickramasinghe, at a British university, while serving as the Head of State. Wickremesinghe was arrested on 22 August of last year (2025), after appearing before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to provide a statement, and was subsequently remanded until 26 August 2025, after being produced in Court. Following the consideration of medical reports, Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura later ordered his release on three surety bails of Rs five million each. The case was then fixed for 29 October 2025. According to the case, the CID arrested Wickremesinghe on 22 August 2025 over allegations that he misused Rs 16.6 million in public funds during a one-and-a-half-day visit to the UK, which was presented as an official trip. However, the lawyers representing Wickremesinghe had submitted that the visit was made following an invitation from a British university, and that there is no clear separation between official and private visits made by a sitting President. Therefore, they argued, no misappropriation of State funds had occurred.

Probe concludes: AG’s stance sought on Ranil’s case 

A Land Registrar attached to a Land Registry Office in Colombo has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for allegedly aiding organised criminals in forging land documents and unlawfully transferring the ownership of properties.The arrest was made on Tuesday (7) following an extensive investigation by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division of the CID.According to investigators, the suspect is alleged to have provided second copies of property extracts and deeds to external parties, enabling the preparation of forged documents without the knowledge or consent of the lawful owners.She is further accused of directly aiding and abetting organised criminal groups by facilitating the illegal transfer of land ownership to third parties using the forged documents, officials said.The suspect has been identified as a 51-year-old resident of Pannipitiya.Investigations into the alleged large-scale property fraud racket are continuing.&nbsp;

Land Registrar nabbed over alleged deed racket

Garbage illegally dumped around the Beira Lake is being brought in by people from outside Colombo rather than by City residents, Deputy Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), Hemantha Kumara claimed, dismissing suggestions that garbage on CMC lands is contributing to the City's dengue problem.Responding to questions from The Daily Morning, he said yesterday (8), " We have not given permission for garbage to be dumped on any land belonging to the CMC, nor is garbage being dumped on our lands," he said.Kumara said that areas surrounding the Beira Lake had recently been cleaned through a joint initiative involving the Clean Sri Lanka programme, the CMC and civil organisations."The people dumping garbage around the Beira Lake are not Colombo City residents. The waste is being brought in by people travelling from outside the City, who arrive in vehicles, dump the garbage and leave," he claimed.Kumara said that the CMC continues to manage household waste by collecting it from residences and transporting it to Kerawalapitiya for disposal. Waste is also disposed of at the waste-to-energy power plant and at a site belonging to the Land Reclamation and Development Corporation.In addition, community clean-up campaigns and dengue prevention programmes are being carried out across all Municipal wards to minimise mosquito breeding and improve environmental sanitation. Commenting on the dengue situation, Kumara said that while the Colombo District accounts for around 21 per cent of the reported dengue cases, the CMC area accounts for only 4.7 per cent, down from around 10 per cent recorded in January. He added that instructions had been issued to the relevant authorities and staff to take action against factors contributing to dengue transmission. Kumara also acknowledged that abandoned construction sites continue to pose a challenge. He said that Public Health Inspectors are taking necessary legal action where mosquito breeding sites are detected, while the Mayor had instructed officials to identify the owners of abandoned sites and ensure that appropriate action is taken. "Some sites have already been cleaned, while in other cases we are still in the process of tracing the owners," he said

Builders risk blacklisting over dengue

Water cut threat over unpaid bills

Water cut threat over unpaid b ...

Ex-Minister Jagath Pushpakumara bailed

Ex-Minister Jagath Pushpakumar ...

Prez urges comprehensive poverty eradication

Prez urges comprehensive pover ...

Social media for under 16s: PM hails family empowerment pilot project

Social media for under 16s: PM ...

Negombo Prison incident: Tribute for slain Prison officers

Negombo Prison incident: Tribu ...

Probe concludes: AG’s stance sought on Ranil’s case

Probe concludes: AG’s stance s ...

Land Registrar nabbed over alleged deed racket

Land Registrar nabbed over all ...

Beira garbage by those outside Colombo

Beira garbage by those outside ...

Water cut threat over unpaid bills

Water cut threat over unpaid b ...

Ex-Minister Jagath Pushpakumara bailed

Ex-Minister Jagath Pushpakumar ...

Prez urges comprehensive poverty eradication

Prez urges comprehensive pover ...

Social media for under 16s: PM hails family empowerment pilot project

Social media for under 16s: PM ...

Negombo Prison incident: Tribute for slain Prison officers

Negombo Prison incident: Tribu ...

Probe concludes: AG’s stance sought on Ranil’s case

Probe concludes: AG’s stance s ...

Land Registrar nabbed over alleged deed racket

Land Registrar nabbed over all ...

Beira garbage by those outside Colombo

Beira garbage by those outside ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Water cut threat over unpaid bills

Water cut threat over unpaid b ...

Ex-Minister Jagath Pushpakumara bailed

Ex-Minister Jagath Pushpakumar ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Prez urges comprehensive poverty eradication

Prez urges comprehensive pover ...

Social media for under 16s: PM hails family empowerment pilot project

Social media for under 16s: PM ...

Negombo Prison incident: Tribute for slain Prison officers

Negombo Prison incident: Tribu ...

Probe concludes: AG’s stance sought on Ranil’s case

Probe concludes: AG’s stance s ...