<ul><li>&nbsp;510 artefact destructions; 203 thefts; 2,360 illegal excavations</li><li>No Archaeology Dept response for RTI stats on status of legal cases </li><li>No details provided on prosecutions, recoveries, or preventive action</li></ul>&nbsp; A staggering 510 cases of archaeological artefacts being destroyed, 203 thefts of artefacts, and 2,360 illegal excavations carried out in search of antiquities were reported across Sri Lanka between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2025, according to information released by the Archaeology Department in response to a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by The Daily Morning. The figures, which highlight the continuing threats faced by the country's archaeological heritage, reveal that illegal excavations remain the most prevalent offence, while incidents involving the destruction and theft of artefacts have also persisted over the years. The response received by The Daily Morning revealed that 20 incidents of artefacts being destroyed, 27 thefts of artefacts, and 109 illegal excavations were reported in 2015. In 2016, the Department recorded 17 incidents of destruction, 10 thefts, and 173 illegal excavations. The figures increased in 2017, with 36 incidents of destruction, 12 thefts, and 219 illegal excavations reported, while 2018 saw 26 incidents of destruction, 15 thefts, and 176 illegal excavations. In 2019, there were 22 incidents of destruction, seven thefts, and 229 illegal excavations. During 2020, there were 15 incidents of destruction, six thefts, and 181 illegal excavations. No incidents of artefact theft were reported in 2021. However, the Department recorded 15 incidents of destruction and 199 illegal excavations during the year. The number of reported incidents rose sharply in the years that followed. In 2022, the Department recorded 68 incidents of destruction, 29 thefts, and 161 illegal excavations. The highest number of incidents during the 11-year period was reported in 2023, when 121 incidents of artefacts being destroyed, 46 thefts, and 379 illegal excavations were recorded. In 2024, there were 109 incidents of destruction, 44 thefts, and 316 illegal excavations, while in 2025, the figures stood at 61 incidents of destruction, seven thefts, and 218 illegal excavations. In addition to incidents of destruction, theft, and illegal excavations, the Department also recorded 120 other archaeology-related offences between 2015 and 2025, with two cases in 2015, three in 2016, 23 in 2017, 26 in 2018, 14 in 2019, three in 2020, 15 in 2021, seven in 2022, four in 2023, two in 2024, and 21 in 2025. Although the Department released statistics on incidents of destruction, theft, and illegal excavations, it did not respond to several other questions raised by The Daily Morning in its RTI request. The newspaper had sought details on how many legal cases had been filed by the Department in relation to incidents involving the destruction of archaeological sites and the theft of artifacts between 2015 and 2025, how many of those cases have been concluded to date, how many suspects have been arrested in connection with such incidents, how many of the reported stolen artifacts have since been recovered, how many remain unrecovered, and what measures that the Department has taken to prevent the destruction and theft of archaeological sites and artifacts. However, the Department failed to provide responses to those queries in its RTI reply. The disclosure comes as the Government, on Tuesday (7), launched the national programme to conserve 1,000 archaeological sites across Sri Lanka, coinciding with the commencement of the Archaeology Week. As the first phase of the programme, conservation work will begin at 100 identified archaeological sites, during the Week.

Between 2015 and 2025: Over 3,000 heritage crimes 

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that next year’s (2027) Budget would place special emphasis on finding lasting solutions to the public’s long-standing drinking water issues.The President made these remarks while participating in a discussion on Wednesday (8) to review the progress of projects implemented under this year’s (2026) Budget allocations for the Housing, Construction and Water Supply Ministry and to discuss the Ministry’s budgetary requirements for 2027. Extensive discussions were also held on allocating the largest Budgetary provision in the country’s history in the 2027 Budget to address drinking water issues across the island.The meeting reviewed the progress of projects implemented under the 2026 Budget by all departments and institutions under the Ministry’s purview, including the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), the National Community Water Supply Department, the National Housing Development Authority and the Ministry’s Resettlement Division. The President pointed out that the existence of multiple institutions under different Ministries dealing with the same subject had resulted in inefficiencies in project implementation. He further noted that maintaining institutions established many years ago for objectives and needs that are no longer relevant had imposed an unnecessary financial burden on the Government. He therefore instructed officials to take steps to discontinue all institutions that are no longer productive or effective.Meanwhile, the Government is taking the necessary steps to strengthen water management in anticipation of possible El Niño conditions in the coming months, the Housing, Construction and Water Supply Minister, Susil Ranasinghe has stated. He said that a coordinated mechanism involving all institutions responsible for water management has been established to ensure effective preparedness and response. Ranasinghe noted that while Sri Lanka typically experiences dry weather during this month (July) and next month (August), this year's dry spell could be more severe than usual. He added that although the North-East monsoon is expected to begin around mid-September, rainfall during September may be below normal. However, rainfall is forecast to increase during October, November, and December. He said that the Government has already held discussions with the Agriculture Department, the Irrigation Department, the Mahaweli Authority, the NWSDB, and Electricity officials to develop the best possible water management strategy to address the expected conditions. He further stated that all relevant institutions have been instructed to prepare their response plans, which will be reviewed again on 20 July.Elsewhere, responding to a question regarding the restoration of abandoned irrigation tanks to promote paddy cultivation in the Trincomalee District, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated in Parliament on Wednesday that, according to data received for the year 2021, 15 out of 210 abandoned tanks in the District have already been rehabilitated, while the remaining 195 are scheduled for restoration. Similarly, eight out of 25 abandoned anicuts have been rehabilitated, with the remaining 17 to be restored. She explained that the principal reasons for these delays have been the failure to release lands under the Forest Conservation Department and the Wildlife Conservation Department to the Agrarian Development Department, together with the lack of adequate financial allocations. The Government intends to address these issues and expedite the rehabilitation of these irrigation structures for agricultural purposes. The relevant Divisional Secretariats are currently facilitating the release of the remaining 195 tanks and 17 anicuts that had been inaccessible to farmers due to their location within the boundaries of the Forest Conservation Department and the Wildlife Conservation Department. The Premier further noted that, under the Sustainable Land Management Programme, reserved and historically significant areas such as Navik Wedi Bima, Lokusober, Kudasober, Seruwila Allei, Trikonamadu and Paravi Doopatha, situated within 33,563 acres of land under the Forest Conservation Department and 31,627 acres under the Wildlife Conservation Department, are being reviewed to facilitate the release of lands occupied by communities prior to 1985 or to provide suitable alternative lands. This land release programme, which is already being implemented in Districts including Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar, Batticaloa and Anuradhapura, is expected to support the expansion of paddy cultivation by preparing these lands through the Agriculture Department and the Agrarian Development Department and handing them over to the public, thereby increasing the country’s rice production.Further, the President instructed officials to expedite the resettlement of people displaced by the war and to implement a housing assistance programme to support the completion of partially constructed houses belonging to low-income families.&nbsp;

Budget 2027: Largest allocation to address water issues? 

<ul><li>&nbsp;Digital safety framework for children below 16 in progress</li></ul>&nbsp;Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya yesterday (9) said the Government is reviewing the maximum number of students permitted in a classroom, with policy changes to be introduced as part of ongoing education reforms.Responding to questions raised by MPs Harshana Rajakaruna, Shanmugam Kugadasan, Ajantha Gammadda, and Nilusha Lakmali Gamage in Parliament, the Premier said the review was being carried out as part of a broader effort to improve the quality and accessibility of education.She said several reforms were underway, including measures to address the psychological, health and social impacts of social media use among children below 16 years, strengthen teachers’ digital competencies, and introduce a more structured and transparent Grade One admission process from the 2027 academic year.Dr Amarasuriya said a policy framework on child safety in the digital environment was being developed under the leadership of the Women and Child Affairs Ministry, with the participation of the Education, Health and Digital Economy Ministries, Police, the Computer Emergency Readiness Team, the Information and Communication Technology Agency, the National Child Protection Authority and other institutions.A National Guideline on Child Safety is also being prepared, while the Probation and Child Care Services Department has launched a project aimed at protecting children from online violence, with steps being taken to obtain funding through the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Development Fund.With support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), a Digital Competency Framework for teachers has been developed. Around 750 trainers have already been trained through the Online Safety module, while teacher training is continuing through 106 Distance Learning Centres. The Online Safety, Cyber Security and Digital Well-being Guideline for school students is scheduled to be introduced in September.A pilot programme is also being implemented to support families in addressing excessive mobile phone use among children, with technical guidance provided voluntarily by University of Colombo Professor Duminda Guruge.The Premier said several child protection initiatives were also being implemented, including Diviyata Saviyak, which provides Rs. 2 million grants for the construction or purchase of houses for orphaned children, and Artha, which provides a monthly allowance of Rs. 5,000 for children who have lost both parents.Other measures include facilitating birth certificate issuance for children without documentation, implementing the Senehasa pilot project in Ratmalana to support vulnerable children after school hours, introducing legislation to prohibit corporal punishment, and implementing the National Child Protection Policy from 2025 to 2029.She added that the establishment of two video evidence recording centres at the Galle National Hospital and Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital was in its final stage, enabling child victims to provide evidence without appearing in court.Meanwhile, a new circular on Grade One admissions will come into effect from the 2027 academic year, aimed at addressing disputes over proof of residence and improving transparency in school admissions.Under the revised system, applicants can receive up to four marks for proof of residence based on specific criteria. These include families residing on State land for more than eight years and applicants able to provide electricity, water or assessment tax bills proving permanent residence for periods ranging from one to six years.Addressing concerns over schools admitting students outside official waiting lists, the new circular requires schools to maintain a temporary waiting list limited to 50% of available vacancies. This may be increased up to 100% only with prior approval from the National or Provincial Education Director under exceptional circumstances.&nbsp;

 Education reform:  Class size cap under review

<ul><li>&nbsp;Remitted USD 8.2 b in 2025</li></ul> More than 1.7 million Sri Lankans are currently employed overseas, contributing significantly to the country’s foreign exchange earnings, Deputy Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Minister Arun Hemachandra told Parliament yesterday (8).Participating in a parliamentary debate, the Minister said migrant workers had remitted USD 8.2 billion to Sri Lanka in 2025, highlighting the vital role played by overseas employment in strengthening the national economy.He said the Government continued to focus on improving opportunities and support services for Sri Lankan migrant workers while ensuring their rights and welfare were protected.&nbsp;

1.7 m Lankans employed abroad 

<ul><li>Female inmates group transferred, protest ends </li><li>Old Bogambara Prison re-gazetted as a Prison</li></ul> The Prison Administration has decided that the Negombo Prison is no longer suitable to house inmates following the unrest on 5 and 6 July. The Justice Ministry said yesterday (9) the facility is being treated as a crime scene, while extensive damage caused during the violence has made it necessary to temporarily relocate inmates to other prisons.The transfers are aimed at allowing investigators to conduct their work safely, ensuring inmate security and enabling reconstruction activities to begin once investigations are completed. The decision was also taken due to overcrowding in existing prisons and concerns over inmate welfare.Accordingly, authorities have arranged to move inmates to suitable facilities on a temporary basis. Orders have been issued to designate the Mahamodara and Old Bogambara Prison premises as temporary prisons under the provisions of the Prisons Ordinance until reconstruction of the Negombo Prison is completed.The Government has officially designated the Old Bogambara Prison premises as a prison through a Gazette notification issued by Justice Minister, Harshana Nanayakkara under Section 2 of the Prisons Ordinance (Chapter 54).Meanwhile, female inmates previously held at the Negombo Prison have been transferred to the Wariyapola and Bogambara Prisons, according to the Prisons Department. The group, transferred on Wednesday (8), reportedly included several foreign female inmates who had also been detained at Negombo.The transfers follow a protest staged by female inmates during the unrest earlier this week. However, the protest has ended, and inmates are now being relocated to other prisons in a phased and orderly manner, Prisons Media Spokesperson A C Gajanayake said.Arrangements are continuing to transfer male inmates after reviewing the capacity and available facilities at other prisons. Reports indicate that around 1,000 inmates remain at the Negombo Prison.In a related development, Police have launched investigations into the deaths of three inmates at the Angunakolapelessa, Boossa and Welikada Prisons. The investigations are being conducted by the Police stations responsible for the areas where the prisons are located.Two inmates recently transferred from Negombo to Angunakolapelessa and Boossa died after being admitted to hospitals following sudden health complications, while another inmate at Welikada reportedly died by suicide. Investigations are underway into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.Meanwhile, an Indian national was among those killed in the Negombo Prison clashes on Monday. The victim was identified as a 73-year-old male.The death toll from the violence rose to 28 after another Prison officer succumbed to serious injuries on Wednesday. More than 100 people were injured in the clashes.A minor tense situation was also reported at the Prison on Wednesday, with a clash between two groups of inmates being brought under control after Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in charge of the Negombo Division Bimal Perera intervened. The inmates were returned to their cells, while security around the Prison premises was strengthened.Investigators have also revealed that a repeater-type firearm belonging to Prison officers during the unrest has gone missing. Intelligence officers recovered a nine millimetre (mm) magazine and 10 rounds of ammunition from outside the Prison.The Negombo Magistrate inspected the Prison premises at around 3.15 p.m. on Tuesday (7) as part of an on-site investigation into the incident. The Magistrate arrived under heavy Police Special Task Force security due to the continued detention of a group of inmates inside the facility.During the inspection, the Magistrate examined the Prison gates, locations where inmates and officers were killed, areas where shots were fired, the Prison armoury and the Type-56 rifle obtained by inmates. However, only part of the inspection was completed due to the presence of inmates, with the remaining inspection to be conducted after they are removed from the premises.Officials also revealed that the Prison was severely overcrowded at the time of the unrest, with 63 per cent of inmates reportedly being drug addicts.Meanwhile, relatives of inmates gathered outside the Prison and the Negombo District General Hospital, where injured inmates were being treated, seeking information about their family members affected by the incident.The remains of Prison Guard M.G. Upali, the eighth Prison officer to die following the unrest, were scheduled to be taken to his residence in Kamburupitiya yesterday (9). The 42-year-old officer died on Wednesday while receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the Colombo National Hospital after being critically injured in an assault by inmates while on duty.Upali joined the Prisons Department five years ago after completing 12 years of service in the Navy. He is survived by his wife and two sons, aged six and nine.The Justice Minister visited the residence of Prison Guard S.D.S. Abeywardena in Kurunegala yesterday morning to pay his last respects. The final rites of several officers who died in the unrest, including Jailor S.H.S. Chandrawansa, were scheduled to be held later yesterday.A total of eight Prison officers and 20 inmates died in the clashes between two groups of inmates and the subsequent attack on unarmed Prison officers. More than 100 people were injured, while a large number of inmates have been transferred to other prisons.&nbsp;

Negombo Prison emptied for probe 

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) filed an indictment before the Colombo High Court against former Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena over an alleged bribery offence.According to the charges filed by the Commission, Abeywardena is accused of accepting a bribe of Rs. 1 million from a businessman in 2013 while serving as the Minister of Investment Promotion.The alleged payment had been made in exchange for facilitating a matter related to the Board of Investment (BOI), CIABOC said.The Commission has filed two charges against the former Minister under provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act. The case is scheduled to proceed before the Colombo High Court.&nbsp;

Former Minister Lakshman Yapa indicted 

<ul><li>Military has released 64,663 acres since war-end</li></ul> A total of 64,663 acres of land in the Northern and Eastern Provinces occupied by the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force have been released since the end of the conflict in 2009, the Deputy Defence Minister, Major General (Retired) Aruna Jayasekara told Parliament yesterday (8). Responding to a question raised by Jaffna District Opposition Parliamentarian Dr Ramanathan Archchuna, he said: "A total extent of 64,663 acres of land has been released from 2009 to date. The extent of land released in the Northern Province alone is 21,280 acres. Of these, 692 acres were released between December 2024 and January of this year (2026). Since the beginning of this year, 377 acres have been released." He added that arrangements are currently underway to release a further 243 acres in the coming period. Rejecting claims that the Armed Forces had acquired lands, he said the military had not taken ownership of any lands, but had instead been allocated land solely for certain requirements. Jayasekara added that the Government's policy is to return every parcel of land that can be released from military use to its original owners. However, he stressed that lands identified as essential for the operational requirements of the Armed Forces cannot be released at this stage. His remarks came as the Government announced that a committee appointed to examine land disputes involving areas administered by the Departments of Forest Conservation and Wildlife Conservation in the Northern and Eastern Provinces is in the final stages of preparing its report. Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday (8), Environment Minister Dhammika Patabendi said that the Cabinet of Ministers-appointed committee, established last year, has gathered proposals from all Districts in the two Provinces and is now finalising its recommendations. Land disputes in the Northern and Eastern Provinces remain one of the unresolved legacies of the civil war. Although successive Governments have released thousands of acres over the years, some lands continue to remain under the control of the military and other State institutions, with many displaced families still awaiting the return of their properties.

243 acres in N-E to be released 

The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday (9) dismissed an appeal filed by former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, affirming a previous court order directing him to pay Rs 1 million in compensation to Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva for violating his intellectual property (IP) rights.The appeal was filed challenging a ruling by the Colombo Commercial High Court, which had held that certain content published in Weerawansa’s book ‘Naththa Wenuwata Aththa’ had infringed upon Silva’s intellectual property rights.With the dismissal of the appeal, the SC upheld the Commercial High Court’s decision, confirming the compensation order against Weerawansa.&nbsp;

IP violation case: SC upholds Wimal’s Rs 1 m compensation to Tilvin

<ul><li>Education Ministry vetoes same despite docs’ group’s request for 2 week cleaning-closure&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Colombo Uni experiencing dengue fever </li><li>Health employees including PHIs contract same </li><li>Legal action against 1,186 in June with Rs &nbsp;12.25 m fines collected </li><li>Prez focuses on health quality standards&nbsp;</li></ul> The Ministries of Education and Health should immediately consider closing schools, universities and vocational training (VT) institutes in dengue high-risk areas for at least two weeks to allow the premises to be cleaned and mosquito breeding sites to be eliminated, the President of the Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA), Dr &nbsp;Chamal Sanjeeva said. Dr &nbsp;Sanjeeva, addressing the media yesterday (9), said that the temporary closure should apply to Government, semi-Government and private educational institutions located in areas reporting a high percentage of dengue cases, warning that immediate action is needed to prevent the outbreak from escalating further. Dr Sanjeeva said that with the number of dengue cases topping 65,000, the actual number of infections could be significantly higher. He warned that closing schools or universities only after a sharp rise in cases would serve little purpose. "There is no benefit in shutting schools or universities after the viral infection has reached massive proportions despite the efforts of the health services. He said that the public and institutions also need to do their part to bring the disease under control. Also, it would slim down the opportunity to prevent further transmission, he said.He warned that many hospitals are already operating beyond their capacity, placing healthcare workers under severe pressure as they struggle to cope with the growing number of dengue patients. Dr &nbsp;Sanjeeva said that the shortage of inpatient facilities has forced many patients to remain under hospital beds or in corridors while receiving treatment, placing their lives at greater risk. He urged the Ministries of Education and Health to jointly take an early decision on temporarily closing educational institutions in high-risk areas instead of waiting until the situation deteriorated further. "Taking action only after the outbreak has worsened is like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted," he quipped. However, the Education Ministry Secretary, Nalaka Kaluwewa, when contacted for comment, told The Daily Morning that the Ministry is following the directives issued in the National Circular given by the Presidential Secretariat, recommending dengue prevention work for the Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Ministry. It recommended mandatory measures which should be followed. He said however that there have been no directives issued for the temporary closure of education institutions in high risk areas for cleaning purposes. Entomological surveillances have shown that schools especially are high risk mosquito breeding grounds. Meanwhile, a total of 71 students of the Colombo University have been diagnosed with dengue fever, while five students are currently receiving treatment after being admitted to hospital, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Indika Karunathilake said. Prof. Karunathilake noted that the majority of dengue cases reported from the University were among students of the Arts Faculty. In response to the situation, the University administration has decided to conduct academic activities through online and hybrid methods for one week from today (10), while taking into consideration the impact on students’ studies. The move aims to ensure the continuation of academic activities while addressing the health concerns among students, Prof. Karunathilake said. Eight Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) in the Colombo District have contracted dengue fever while carrying out dengue prevention and control operations, officials revealed. Speaking at a media briefing held yesterday (9), the Colombo District Branch Chairperson of the PHI Union, Amit Kumar said that the PHIs had become infected while performing their duties amid a growing dengue threat. He said that several other health sector employees had also contracted the disease, while the dengue situation across the Colombo District continues to worsen. Kumar further stated that legal action had been taken against 1,186 individuals who failed to comply with dengue prevention responsibilities during inspections conducted throughout last month (June). The authorities have also collected fines amounting to Rs &nbsp;12.25 million through enforcement measures. He added that legal action was taken in June against owners or responsible parties linked to 494 homes, 134 Government and private institutions, four schools, and two religious sites. Kumar said that enforcement measures would continue, with the law being implemented without discrimination regardless of an individual’s status or position.Also, Sri Lanka’s dengue death toll has increased to 45, while the total number of dengue cases reported so far this year (2026) has surpassed 65,000, the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said. According to an official statement issued by the Unit, a total of 65,034 dengue cases have been recorded across the country in 2026. The NDCU said that 9,654 cases were reported within the first eight days of this month (July). The highest number of dengue cases this year has been reported from the Gampaha District with 13,332 cases followed by the Colombo District with 13,150 cases. The Matara District has recorded 4,600 cases, while 4,354 cases have been reported from the Kalutara District.Elsewhere, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasised the Government’s aim is to transform Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector beyond mere reforms and elevate it to internationally recognised standards of quality. The President said that the Government is prepared to allocate the necessary funding to achieve this objective while participating in a pre-Budget discussion on the Health Ministry. The meeting reviewed the progress of projects implemented under this year’s Budget allocations and discussed proposals for next year’s (2027) Budget.&nbsp;

Between 2015 and 2025: Over 3,000 heritage crimes

Budget 2027: Largest allocation to address water issues?

Budget 2027: Largest allocatio ...

Education reform: Class size cap under review

Education reform: Class size ...

1.7 m Lankans employed abroad

1.7 m Lankans employed abroad

Negombo Prison emptied for probe

Negombo Prison emptied for pro ...

Former Minister Lakshman Yapa indicted

Former Minister Lakshman Yapa ...

243 acres in N-E to be released

243 acres in N-E to be release ...

IP violation case: SC upholds Wimal’s Rs 1 m compensation to Tilvin

IP violation case: SC upholds ...

Dengue outbreak: No closure of high-risk schools, unis, VT institutes

Dengue outbreak: No closure of ...

Budget 2027: Largest allocation to address water issues?

Budget 2027: Largest allocatio ...

Education reform: Class size cap under review

Education reform: Class size ...

1.7 m Lankans employed abroad

1.7 m Lankans employed abroad

Negombo Prison emptied for probe

Negombo Prison emptied for pro ...

Former Minister Lakshman Yapa indicted

Former Minister Lakshman Yapa ...

243 acres in N-E to be released

243 acres in N-E to be release ...

IP violation case: SC upholds Wimal’s Rs 1 m compensation to Tilvin

IP violation case: SC upholds ...

Dengue outbreak: No closure of high-risk schools, unis, VT institutes

Dengue outbreak: No closure of ...

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Budget 2027: Largest allocation to address water issues?

Budget 2027: Largest allocatio ...

Education reform: Class size cap under review

Education reform: Class size ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

1.7 m Lankans employed abroad

1.7 m Lankans employed abroad

Negombo Prison emptied for probe

Negombo Prison emptied for pro ...

Former Minister Lakshman Yapa indicted

Former Minister Lakshman Yapa ...

243 acres in N-E to be released

243 acres in N-E to be release ...