<ul><li>Say lawyers defending crime suspects will receive standard protection</li><li>Two brothers arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting&nbsp;</li></ul> Police ruled out yesterday (16), providing special security for lawyers appearing on behalf of organised crime suspects, as public concern continued to mount following last week’s fatal shooting of an attorney-at-law and his wife in Akuregoda.Speaking to The Daily Morning, Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police and AAL, F.U. Wootler said no special security arrangements would be made for lawyers defending organised crime suspects beyond the standard protection afforded to all citizens. "Other than the security that is provided by the Police to citizens, special security arrangements will not be made to safeguard the protection of the lawyers that represent organised crime suspects in court," Wootler said, adding that representing clients is part of the professional duty of Attorneys.The statement comes in the wake of a daylight shooting on 13 February 2026 that claimed the lives of AAL Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his wife Nisansala Mallawarachchi. The couple was inside their vehicle near a supermarket in Akuregoda when two unidentified gunmen arrived in another car and opened fire before fleeing the scene. The slain lawyer is reported to have represented various organised crime figures.Meanwhile, two brothers were arrested yesterday (16) in Kottawa for allegedly aiding and abetting in the killing of Mallawarachchi and his wife. The suspects, aged 20 and 24 have been arrested by the officers attached to the Western Province South Crimes Range. A car suspected to have been used by them has also been taken into custody, the Police stated.

Police Announce: No Special Security for Attorneys 

<ul><li>BASL back to business from today&nbsp;</li><li>Calls for Immediate arrest of all individuals involved&nbsp;</li></ul> Legal proceedings across the country faced significant disruption yesterday (16) as thousands of lawyers withdrew from their professional duties. The strike was a collective response to the murder of an attorney and his wife in Akuregoda.The mass boycott resulted in the postponement of approximately 1,000 cases nationwide, affecting every level of the judiciary from the Supreme Court down to Magistrate’s Courts.The decision was reached during an emergency general meeting of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) held on Sunday (15).BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya stated the symbolic protest served as a clear message to the State. He emphasised that such killings should not happen to anyone, regardless of their profession. "The Government has a fundamental responsibility to establish public safety and the rule of law," Amarasuriya said. He added that the legal community is prepared to offer its support and guidance to the State, but insisted that this must be the final such tragedy. He further called for the immediate arrest of all individuals involved in the crime.Observers at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court noted a somber atmosphere. While some lawyers were seen within the court premises, they pointedly refused to enter the open courts to represent their clients. In many cases, only junior lawyers appeared briefly to request new dates for hearings. Although police and prison officials were present to produce suspects, the lack of legal representation meant that most sessions were concluded in a matter of minutes.The day’s actions concluded with a protest march. A large group of lawyers gathered outside the Superior Courts complex in Colombo and marched towards the BASL headquarters. During the demonstration, leadership reaffirmed that legal professionals must be able to carry out their work without fear or intimidation, urging law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly.The impact of the lawyers' absence was clearly visible as judicial proceedings were brought to a standstill. With legal counsel refusing to appear for hearings, business in all courts across the country was forced to conclude within a remarkably short period of time.Meanwhile, BASL confirmed their members will appear in courts as usual from today (17), after boycotting proceedings yesterday. BASL Secretary, Attorney Chathura Galhena confirmed the return to normal court appearances to The Daily Morning.

BASL boycott: Nearly 1,000 cases postponed 

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) said yesterday (16) they have not established a direct link between the recent landslides in Ambuluwawa and the cable car project undertaken by Amber Adventures, although a final decision on resuming construction has yet to be made.CEA Director General Kapila Mahesh Rajapaksha told The Daily Morning that work on the project was temporarily halted following complaints from local residents alleging environmental risks. “We received numerous complaints claiming that the cable car project was causing landslides and other hazards. After reviewing those concerns, we instructed Amber Adventures to suspend construction pending further assessment,” he said.He noted that both the CEA and the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) conducted separate investigations into the matter. According to Rajapaksha, the NBRO report indicated that tower construction had contributed to soil erosion in some areas and revealed deficiencies in proper irrigation systems. However, he added, “They have reported that no direct connection between the landslides has been identified with the cable car project, other than these conditions.”A meeting was convened in the first week of February 2026 to gather public complaints and suggestions. The CEA subsequently requested Amber Adventures to submit a report addressing the identified issues. That report was received on 12 February, and the CEA is currently analysing its contents.“We are yet to decide whether we are going to let them restart the project or not. So far, we haven’t identified a reason to totally stop the project,” Rajapaksha stated. However, he noted that further assessments may be required. “We have suggested that we should further assess with the NBRO and a few geology experts from the GSMB as to whether the mother rock has been damaged even to some extent by the construction of the upper part of the area. That would be a long process, and hence, we haven’t decided yet whether we should be stopping the project till we receive the report or not.”China’s Amber Adventures (Private) Limited has officially withdrawn from the Ambuluwawa Cable Car Project. The Company informed thus to the Board of Investment on 13 January, citing “regulatory obstruction and arbitrary State action”, including the suspension of construction by the CEA. The firm had invested US $ 3.5 million of its total $ 12.75 million investment, secured during Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic crisis through a consortium from Sri Lanka, China, and the US.

CEA on cable car project: No direct link between landslides and Ambuluwawa project 

In the wake of a series of fatal incidents at Colombo Port over the past 14 months, the Ports Ministry said yesterday (16) that most were accidents and that measures are being taken to prevent further deaths by enforcing traffic and safety regulations within the Port.Deputy Ports Minister Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku told The Daily Morning that the majority of incidents involved vehicles on Port premises. “Most of these incidents were road accidents. Among the recent cases, there was one involving a container,” he said.He added that traffic management inside the Port differs from that on public roads due to the operational environment. “If it is a highway, drivers follow road rules. But, inside the Port, it is different. As a solution, we have now involved the Port security and the Police in taking legal measures to ensure that drivers adhere to traffic regulations within the Port." He also noted that extensive construction work is currently underway within the Port premises, which has added to operational difficulties. “There is a lot of construction taking place within the Port. When those are concluded, most of the processes will be streamlined. Until then, we are taking legal steps to ensure that drivers comply with traffic rules. When the constructions are concluded, there will be a positive situation,” he said. However, Kodithuwakku added that operations at the Port are being carried out in line with international standards. At least four worker deaths have been recorded at the said Port in the past 14 months, with the latest incident reported this month (February 2026). On 6 February, 57-year-old signalman Sarath Sandalal, attached to the Ports Authority, fell approximately 38 feet from the 18th bay of the Singapore-registered vessel MV SOL Stride. In another incident earlier this year, a technician at the Mahapola Ports and Maritime Training Institute was run over by a prime mover that had just moved off as he was carrying out repairs underneath it. Last year (2025), a container fell onto a prime mover at the Colombo International Container Terminal, killing the driver. In a separate incident in December, another prime mover driver died in an accident attributed to negligence on the part of the said driver.

Fatalities at Port: Colombo Port to tighten traffic, safety regulations 

A flock of cricket enthusiasts from around the world arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, travelling in no less than 15 private jets, to witness the highly anticipated India–Pakistan match of the ICC T20 World Cup played on Sunday, 15 February, in Colombo.The jets, which began landing from 14 February, came from India, Pakistan, and several other countries, underscoring the global appeal of the fixture.Among the distinguished arrivals were Pakistan’s Minister of Sports and the Chairman of the International Cricket Council, J. Shah, as well as a host of millionaire business figures.After enjoying the match, all visitors have now departed on the same private jets that brought them to the island, leaving Katunayake buzzing from the spectacle.&nbsp;

Cricket royalty descends on BIA

Two of Sri Lanka’s three main Buddhist Sects said yesterday (16) that they will not participate at an official level in the upcoming Sangha conference organised by the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, citing the absence of formal invitations.Siam Sect Asgiri Chapter Supreme Sangha Council Secretary, Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera told The Daily Morning the Sect had not received an invitation to the conference. “We cannot decide on participation without a formal invitation. However, individual monks may attend,” he said.Similarly, the Amarapura Sect’s Secretary, Ven. Balapitiya Siri Seevali Thera, speaking to The Daily Morning, said there has been no official invitation extended to their Sect either. “There has not been an official invitation. If we are to attend at an official level, the Mahanayaka (Chief Prelate) of the respective Sect should attend. What we can say is that any Buddhist monk can attend, but, there will not be any official attendance.” A Sangha conference is scheduled to be held on Friday, 20 February, at the Headquarters of the ACBC in Colombo. The event aims to bring together members of the Buddhist clergy and the lay community to discuss what the organisers describe as injustices faced by Buddhist monks, the Buddha Sasana (the doctrine), and the country at present.&nbsp;

Upcoming Sangha conference: Asgiri Chapter, Amarapura Sect yet to receive invites 

Tamil Nadu (TN) Chief Minister (CM), M.K. Stalin has written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a “humane and pragmatic” resolution to the long-pending citizenship issue and legal status of Sri Lankan Tamils living in the state for over four decades.In a letter dated 15 February, Stalin described the issue as one of “profound humanitarian, constitutional and national importance,” noting that around 89,000 Sri Lankan Tamils continue to reside in TN, both inside refugee camps and outside. Nearly 40 per cent of them were born in India, and many have lived in TN for over 30 years.He pointed out that since 1983, successive TN Governments, with the concurrence of the Union Government, have provided shelter, education and healthcare to those who fled the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. However, many continue to lack access to citizenship or long-term visa status.Referring to the recommendations of a State advisory committee, Stalin urged the Centre to rescind earlier administrative instructions that bar the consideration of citizenship applications, waive passport and visa requirements where appropriate, delegate powers to district-level authorities for faster processing, and formally clarify that registered Sri Lankan Tamil nationals sheltered up to 9 January 2015, should not be treated as “illegal migrants.”Despite their prolonged stay, only 11 Sri Lankan refugees have so far been granted Indian citizenship. Of them, just one has secured voting rights, while the remaining 10 have applied for inclusion in the electoral rolls, highlighting the limited progress in regularising their status.In his letter, Stalin said that those who sought refuge in India had lived “with dignity, discipline and deep cultural affinity” for over four decades and urged the Premier to take a favourable decision on humanitarian grounds.New Delhi Television Limited

 TN CM seeks citizenship for 89k SL Tamils 

<ul><li>Seeks President’s intervention for health sector issues&nbsp;</li></ul> The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to meet with the Union to address pressing issues affecting the State health service, warning that it would stage a sit-down protest outside the Presidential Secretariat if no action is taken.In a letter handed over yesterday (16), MCPA President Dr. Chamal Sanjeeva outlined 10 “burning issues” facing the public health system, calling for urgent intervention. Key demands include the establishment of a health insurance scheme for the general public and the appointment of a Presidential commission to address the persistent human resource shortage in government hospitals.Dr. Sanjeeva also highlighted critical shortages of cancer drugs and other essential medicines, urging the Presidential Fund to expedite surgical procedures. He called for investigations into allegations of corruption against senior officials in the State health service and stressed the need to continue probing transactions from the tenure of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.Other proposals included setting up a high-quality National Medicines Regulatory Authority laboratory, strengthening health tourism, expanding tele-health services, and promoting transparency through electronic procurement systems for medicines. The Union also called for national policies on high-quality medicine imports and responsible antibiotic usage to address ongoing crises in public healthcare.The MCPA emphasised that urgent Presidential attention is needed to prevent further deterioration of the State health service, with the threat of a sit-down protest signalling the doctors’ resolve for immediate action.

Docs group threatens satyagraha

<ul><li>Reaffirms partnership amid sanctions row over military leaders</li></ul>The UK Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, arrives in Colombo today (17) for a high-level visit aimed at reinforcing the UK–Sri Lanka partnership, advancing humanitarian cooperation and demonstrating British support for communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah.The visit, the first by a senior UK cabinet minister since last year’s sanctions decision, will see Lammy meet President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for bilateral talks on economic cooperation, reconciliation and humanitarian priorities, as well as Sri Lanka’s engagement with the Global Charter on Children’s Care Reform. During the visit he will also witness UK-funded humanitarian efforts on the ground to assist families and communities devastated by the cyclone late last year.However, Lammy’s itinerary comes amid ongoing diplomatic tensions over UK sanctions on former senior Sri Lankan military commanders, a move that has previously drawn criticism from Colombo.In March 2025, the UK Government, under powers exercised by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office led by Lammy, imposed targeted travel bans and asset freezes on four individuals alleging that they were responsible for human-rights violations during Sri Lanka’s internal conflict. The measures, enacted under the UK’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations, prohibit the designated individuals from entering or remaining in the UK and freeze any UK-based assets.The sanctions list included former Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, former Navy Commander Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, former Army Commander General Jagath Jayasuriya, and Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan.This action sparked a strong response from the Sri Lankan Government, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs describing the sanctions as “unilateral and unhelpful” and warning they could complicate domestic reconciliation efforts. Colombo has maintained that past abuses should be addressed through Sri Lanka’s own accountability processes.

Police Announce: No Special Security for Attorneys

BASL boycott: Nearly 1,000 cases postponed

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CEA on cable car project: No d ...

Fatalities at Port: Colombo Port to tighten traffic, safety regulation ...

Fatalities at Port: Colombo Po ...

Cricket royalty descends on BIA

Cricket royalty descends on BI ...

Upcoming Sangha conference: Asgiri Chapter, Amarapura Sect yet to rece ...

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TN CM seeks citizenship for 89k SL Tamils

TN CM seeks citizenship for 8 ...

Docs group threatens satyagraha

Docs group threatens satyagrah ...

UK Deputy PM Lammy arrives in Colombo

UK Deputy PM Lammy arrives in ...

BASL boycott: Nearly 1,000 cases postponed

BASL boycott: Nearly 1,000 cas ...

CEA on cable car project: No direct link between landslides and Ambulu ...

CEA on cable car project: No d ...

Fatalities at Port: Colombo Port to tighten traffic, safety regulation ...

Fatalities at Port: Colombo Po ...

Cricket royalty descends on BIA

Cricket royalty descends on BI ...

Upcoming Sangha conference: Asgiri Chapter, Amarapura Sect yet to rece ...

Upcoming Sangha conference: As ...

TN CM seeks citizenship for 89k SL Tamils

TN CM seeks citizenship for 8 ...

Docs group threatens satyagraha

Docs group threatens satyagrah ...

UK Deputy PM Lammy arrives in Colombo

UK Deputy PM Lammy arrives in ...

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Cricket royalty descends on BIA

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TN CM seeks citizenship for 89k SL Tamils

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