• Actions of JVP/NPP members including Govt. ministers put further pressure on AKD’s governance work
• Lakmali creates controversy over statement on not implementing court order during public meeting
• Sunil’s attempt to walk back Lakmali’s comments fails; Opposition MPs criticise, seek probe and action
• AKD urges full utilisation of funds allocated for projects this year, says development hindered otherwise
• PUCSL move not to grant CEB’s requested power tariff hike likely to create problem for Govt. with IMF
• Harini receives warm welcome in China and India; new facility named after Harini at former alma mater
• Harini-Modi meeting discusses wide-ranging issues including fishing conflict in SL’s northern seas
• Govt. scores points in war against organised crime with Sewwandi’s arrest in Nepal; 6 persons detained
• Sewwandi reveals details, more arrested; tactics adopted by Olugala to carry out successful op revealed
• AKD takes war against drugs, organised crime to next level through ‘Ratama Ekata’ national operation
• Opposition records more wins at cooperative society polls; SJB and alliances win; SLPP shows gains
• Scrutiny continues on JVP/NPP party fund; Dayasiri presents motion to House after Udaya’s complaint 
• Govt. decides to hold delayed PC Polls in first quarter of next year; polls likely around end of March
• Several SJB MPs to resign to contest PC Polls; Sajith informed of move and makes announcement
• JVP/NPP MPs to also resign to contest for CM posts; former SLPP ministers to contest next PC Polls
• Opposition split on RW’s push for joint Opposition rally next month; Tiran, Udaya, Wimal organisers
• Confusion among Opposition members on whether RW or Namal mooted idea of next month’s rally
• Some Opposition members note Udaya, Wimal trying to re-enact ‘Mahinda Sulanga,’ but decry timing
• SLPP Headquarters becomes hive of activity; Namal, Sagara hold series of meets, appoint convenors
• Sagara, Sanjeewa assigned by Namal to discuss, coordinate Nov. rally; SJB silently watching happenings
• SJB says no excuse for rogues, says will urge action against bond scam culprits even if aligned with UNP
• Sagara says SLPP will not align with UNP or SJB, will consider if parties agree to ‘Mahinda Chinthana’
• UNP issues statement on need for all parties to join, appoints 3-member committee to talk with SJB
• SJB stands firm on not aligning with SLPP; some SJBers concerned, Sajith decides to personally monitor
• MR, Maithri ask for security vehicles, Govt. considering; photo ban at MR’s, gifts from Chinese visitors
• Maithri questioned by CIABOC; after Malwana building, now house in Kataragama without an owner

Amidst the many challenges faced by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) in governing the country, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) is fast becoming the biggest challenge the President has to face. JVP/NPP members including Government ministers seem to have become accustomed to making controversial statements or engaging in actions that bring ridicule to the Government, resulting in their Party Leader, President AKD, having to address and resolve these issues. 

While there are continuous issues pertaining to Government members, a statement made last week by ruling party Member of Parliament (MP) Lakmali Hemachandra during a public meeting has resulted in Opposition MPs calling for action against her. Hemachandra had stated during a public meeting that authorities had been directed not to implement a court order. 

Seeing that his colleague had shot her mouth off, Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala was seen immediately intervening to tone down and clarify Hemachandra’s comments, saying that the Government would never ask for a court directive to be ignored.

Nevertheless, Watagala’s intervention did little to prevent the Opposition and the public from criticising Hemachandra’s statement, with video clips of the MP making the statement going viral on social media. Main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Kavinda Jayawardana has called on the Government, authorities, and Judiciary to act on Hemachandra’s statement, which he claimed amounted to contempt of court. 

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa meanwhile claimed that the ’system change’ promised by the ruling party was now evident by statements being made by the likes of ruling party MPs where they openly spoke about directives being issued to prevent the implementation of court orders.

The weekly bloopers by Government members, whether intentional or unintentional, indicates the challenge before the President in having to deal with his own party members. In a backdrop where the Opposition parties are still in disarray and scrambling to form a united front, President AKD seems to be facing formidable opposition, not from the traditional Opposition, but from within his own JVP/NPP.

Apart from dealing with his own bunch, President AKD continues to face the herculean task of bringing prosperity to the country through economic growth. The upcoming 2026 Budget and meeting commitments to multilateral donor agencies continue to put pressure on the President and his administration.

Meanwhile, the President recently instructed officials to fully utilise the financial allocations provided for this year’s development projects without returning them to the Treasury. AKD, while presiding over the special District Coordination Committee (DCC) meeting held on Tuesday (14) at the main auditorium of the Ratnapura District Secretariat, has noted that failure to do so would not only hinder development but also result in the wastage of public funds.

IMF conundrum

Meanwhile, the Government is currently facing a conundrum over securing the sixth tranche of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme with Sri Lanka.

While the IMF has already placed a prior action for Sri Lanka to adhere to before the IMF Executive Board approves the sixth tranche, the decision by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) not to increase electricity tariffs for this quarter has added to the Government’s headaches, since the revision of electricity tariffs in line with expenditure is a commitment to the IMF that needs to be met.

The PUCSL had decided not to revise electricity tariffs despite a request by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to increase tariffs by 6.8%, PUCSL Chairman K.P.L. Chandralal said, while announcing the commission’s decision that the present electricity tariffs would continue for the next three months from October to December.

Harini in China and India

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya meanwhile engaged in two official visits last week – to China and India.

The Premier visited China to attend the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women 2025, upon the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

During her visit to China, Amarasuriya also held high-level bilateral meetings, including with President Xi Jinping and People’s Republic of China State Council Premier Li Qiang.

Amarasuriya, after returning to Sri Lanka following the Chinese visit, flew to India a day later on her first official visit to the neighbouring country since assuming office.

The Sri Lankan Prime Minister received a warm welcome in India and was also felicitated by the Hindu College in Delhi, where she was greeted with a standing ovation from students and faculty as she returned to her alma mater.

“It’s lovely to be back. Thank you for the warmth with which I was received; it’s very emotional for me,” she told the gathering, while also reflecting on her time as a student and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to revisit the place that shaped much of her early journey. 

“What was once a charming college, but with slightly worn-out buildings as I recall, has since been transformed into a vibrant institution. I’m told about the smart classrooms, advanced laboratories, and thriving research initiatives that have propelled Hindu College to keep pace with India, which is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world today,” she said.

In recognition of her achievements, the college also inaugurated a new research facility named the ‘Harini Amarasuriya Social & Ethnographic Research Lab.’

Premier Amarasuriya met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (17), where the duo had discussed bilateral cooperation, with particular attention to education reforms and development priorities.

The two Prime Ministers had also discussed matters pertaining to the welfare of fishermen in both countries, and Amarasuriya had emphasised the importance of protecting the livelihoods and safety of fishermen on both sides.

Scoring with Sewwandi

Meanwhile, the Government yet again scored points in its war against narcotic drugs and organised crime, with the arrest of wanted criminal Ishara Sewwandi in Nepal after months of searching. Sewwandi, who is wanted in connection with several murders including that of organised crime leader Ganemulla Sanjeewa inside the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, was arrested in Nepal on Monday (13).

Interestingly, the Government learnt of Sewwandi’s arrest as the gathering of the Cabinet of Ministers was discussing an aggressive programme to win the ongoing war against drugs and organised crime.

Sewwandi and five others were arrested in Nepal by a special team from the Peliyagoda Crime Division – headed by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rohan Olugala and Inspector Gihan de Silva – that travelled to Nepal on the directions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) Asanka Karawita. The officers had worked with Nepalese officers for three days to arrest Sewwandi and five others.

The Police has said Sewwandi’s escape plan from Sri Lanka was spearheaded by Backhoe Saman, who is currently detained by the Police, and she had travelled to Matugama following Sanjeewa’s assassination, where she had cut her hair and changed her appearance. She had then travelled to Middeniya and had been assisted by an individual identified as Supun, who had appeared as a journalist. This Supun is believed to have been assigned to assassinate Harak Kata and was taken into custody recently. 

Sewwandi had been taken to the Northern Province by Supun and smuggled out of Sri Lanka from the north by boat to India with the assistance of an accomplice known as ‘J.K. Bhai.’ From India, she had travelled by train to Nepal, where she had been living under a false identity in a high-end rented residence.

The breakthrough had come after the questioning of an associate of organised crime leader Kehelbaddara Padme, who had revealed Sewwandi’s location. Acting on the tip-off, ASP Olugala’s team had coordinated with Nepalese officers to raid the residence on Monday night.

Investigations had further revealed that Sewwandi was planning to flee to Europe using a forged passport prepared under the name of a Jaffna woman resembling her.

Sewwandi and five others were flown to Sri Lanka in SriLankan Airlines flight UL 182, which had left Kathmandu on Wednesday (15) at 3.58 p.m. and arrived in Sri Lanka at around 7 p.m.

Sewwandi, Thakshi alias Duplicate Ishara, Jaffna Suresh, and J.K. Bhai were taken to the Colombo Crime Division while Nugegoda Babee was taken to the Western Crime Division and Gampaha Baba was taken to the Peliyagoda Crime Division.

Sewwandi, who is being questioned by the Police under a 72-hour detention order, has revealed the places where she had stayed until leaving for India and the Police has made several arrests of individuals who had aided her during this period, including a Police constable attached to the Aluthgama Police. She had said she had been in the Matugama area for about a month and that she had fled to Middeniya when the Police had searched the Matugama area.

She had further stated that it was easy for her to flee to India from the north since it was the Local Government Elections period and the people and Police were engaged in election-related work.

Sharing experience as a lawyer

Meanwhile, Sewwandi has also shared with the Police an incident she had experienced when she had posed as a lady lawyer at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court the day organised crime leader Ganemulla Sanjeewa was killed.

She had said that she had gone to the lawyers’ rest room after entering the court premises and an innocent lady had approached her saying she had been badly beaten by her husband and that she wanted legal assistance. Sewwandi had told the lady that she was at the court premises for a case and had directed the lady to another lady lawyer in the rest room.

The lady had spoken to the lady lawyer and had then looked helplessly at Sewwandi and said that the lady lawyer had asked for Rs. 2,000 as payment and that she had only Rs. 1,000 in her possession. Sewwandi had told the Police that she had given a Rs. 5,000 note to the lady to sort out her issues and that the lady had been very grateful for the help.

After this incident, Sewwandi had made her way to the shooter and handed over the book with the weapon to assassinate Sanjeewa.

Olugala’s tactic

It is learnt that ASP Olugala had travelled to Nepal after stating that he was down with the flu and unable to attend work in his office. He had resorted to this tactic, it is learnt, to prevent news of his planned operation from reaching any organised crime networks.

During the operation to arrest organised crime leaders including Kehelbaddara Padme and several others from Indonesia, it was revealed that information about Olugala’s arrival in Indonesia had been leaked to Padme and his associates by an officer of the Sri Lanka Police.

This time around, Olugala had ensured that there would not be any hint of his planned operation to any others in the Police Department except for the IGP and the other officers who were to accompany him to Nepal.

It is further learnt that Olugala had also left behind his mobile phones in Sri Lanka and had kept them switched on during his operation in Nepal to prevent any doubt about his whereabouts.

AKD’s ‘Ratama Ekata’

Meanwhile, in a bid to intensify the war against narcotic drugs and organised crime, President AKD last week received Cabinet approval to set up a National Operations Council to implement an urgent programme titled ‘Ratama Ekata – National Operation,’ aimed at eliminating the drug menace and rehabilitating those addicted to drugs through broad public participation.

The Government states that the spread of dangerous drugs in the country has become a national crisis and that many crimes are being committed around drug-trafficking networks. It has been recognised that this threat must be eradicated through a national-level programme involving strong political leadership, efficient decision-making mechanisms, and widespread public engagement.

The first meeting of the National Operations Council was held at the Presidential Secretariat last Friday (17) under President AKD’s patronage.

However, several Government members have cautioned AKD about his intense war against narcotic drugs and organised crime, saying that it would further increase the security threats he faces.

More Opposition wins

Meanwhile, the ruling JVP/NPP has suffered another loss in the Thelikada Majuwana Cooperative Society, with the joint Opposition securing victory. The joint Opposition had secured six seats and was elected to the management while the ruling party had not secured a single seat in the cooperative society.

The JVP/NPP had also suffered several more similar losses at cooperative societies recently. It is interesting to note that the SJB has secured power in some cooperative societies while also securing certain others through alliances with other Opposition parties. While the SLPP has also managed to win some cooperative bodies, the United National Party (UNP) has not been able to secure a single cooperative society. 

Focus on JVP/NPP funds

Meanwhile, the JVP/NPP party fund, which has been under much scrutiny lately by Opposition politicians over the salaries of all the party’s public representatives being deposited into the fund, is likely to be taken up for debate in Parliament following a motion submitted by Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara.

Jayasekara has submitted a Private Member’s Motion in Parliament seeking to prohibit political parties from crediting the salaries, allowances, and vehicle permits of public representatives to party funds.

The motion has noted that such practices undermine the independence of elected representatives and pose a serious challenge to democracy and has called on Parliament to resolve to disallow any political party from collecting payments made to MPs or diverting them into party accounts.

According to Jayasekara, such a practice is detrimental to representative freedom and accountability, and he has urged all parties to safeguard the autonomy of parliamentarians.

Opposition politician Udaya Gammanpila had also raised the issue with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) several weeks back.

Planning PC Polls

Meanwhile, the Government is looking at holding the delayed Provincial Council (PC) Elections in the first quarter of next year. 

There has been a discussion within the JVP/NPP about holding the delayed PC Elections on several occasions, but it is learnt that it has now been decided to hold the elections early next year and preferably before the April New Year.

However, holding the delayed PC Elections will require quite a bit of work due to the complexities of deciding whether the election should be held under the old electoral system or under a new electrical system after getting the necessary legislation approved for it.

It is learnt that the JVP/NPP had discussed that the PC Elections should be held at the earliest since the Government continues to maintain its popularity among the masses despite the criticisms levelled by the Opposition, along with the failure of the Opposition to gain ground. The other reason to look at holding the election in the first quarter of next year is due to some hard decisions the Government will have to make come April next year. 

Foes turn friends

With talk of another election next year, Opposition parties, which have been urging the Government to hold the delayed PC Elections, continue to face criticism by the ruling party that political opponents are now prepared to cast aside party principles and policies to unite to regain power.

Opposition politicians meanwhile have responded saying that politics paves the way for unification, as shown in the past. In some instances, political opponents have joined forces to secure power as witnessed in Sri Lanka’s political past.

An Opposition MP during a discussion with ‘The Black Box’ noted that while there were many such instances in the past, some relatively recent occasions when political opponents united for elections were during the Presidential Elections in 2010 and 2015. “Even the JVP managed to win an election through an alliance – the NPP.”

MPs to resign

Meanwhile, several young and popular MPs from the SJB are to submit their resignation letters to the party leadership and this decision, it is learnt, has also been conveyed to SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa.

The MPs have decided to resign from Parliament following the news that the Government is looking at holding the delayed PC Elections next year and due to their desire to contest this poll. They have explained to the party leadership their intention to contest as the SJB’s chief ministerial candidates representing their areas at the upcoming PC Elections.

It is further learnt that they had noted their need to work for the people in their constituencies, that their ability to do so was limited in the current Parliament, and that they could better serve the people if they contested and won the PC Elections for their parties. 

The Government stated in Parliament recently that the delayed PC Elections would be held in the first quarter of next year, around the end of March.

Premadasa also revealed that several SJB MPs were set to resign from Parliament to contest the upcoming PC Elections, saying that they were ready to sacrifice their positions to ensure victory for the party.

Among the key SJBers looking at contesting as the party’s chief ministerial candidates at the next PC Elections are Hesha Withanage, Hirunika Premachandra, Dayasiri Jayasekara, and Tissa Attanayake, among others.

Increasing interest in PCs

Following news about several SJB MPs wanting to quit their parliamentary seats to contest as chief ministerial candidates at the PC Elections, several JVP/NPP legislators have also expressed interest in contesting next year’s polls, it is learnt.

Apart from ruling party and main Opposition MPs moving to quit Parliament to contest the top seats in Provincial Councils, several former ministers of the SLPP, it is also learnt, have expressed interest in contesting the PC Polls.

Split in Opposition

Meanwhile, there seems to be a split between the joint Opposition parties that are engaged in planning a rally in Colombo next month.

While some Opposition members have expressed concerns over the timing of the rally to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who had dismissed the concerns, some other Opposition members have expressed suspicion over the main organisers of the rally.

Former Ministers Tiran Alles, Udaya Gammanpila, and Wimal Weerawansa are engaged in planning the November rally.

The issue of the rally’s timing is one of the widely-discussed issues. It is evident that Gammanpila and Weerawansa, who played key roles in launching the ‘Mahinda Sulanga’ campaign following former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s (MR) defeat in 2015 that later led to the formation of the SLPP during the ‘Yahapalana’ Government, are looking at reinventing the wheel this time around under the JVP/NPP Government. 

While the SLPP’s emergence under the then ‘Yahapalana’ Government was successful, resulting in the party securing a landslide victory at the 2018 Local Government (LG) Elections and eventually winning the 2019 Presidential and 2020 Parliamentary Elections, a similar scenario cannot be guaranteed at present. 

While the popularity of the ‘Yahapalana’ Government began to erode a few months after the Parliamentary Elections of 2015, a similar scenario cannot be seen at present. The ground support of the JVP/NPP, despite facing minor setbacks, remains largely intact and a massive joint Opposition campaign at present will provide ammunition to the ruling party for its key slogan of ‘rogues and the corrupt uniting to save themselves.’

As for the issue of suspicion, one of the main concerns raised by several Opposition politicians is that some organisers of next month’s rally seem to have some form of support from the incumbent Government.

The bottom line is that the ground is not fully prepared for a massive anti-Government movement through a joint Opposition platform.

RW or Namal?

Against this backdrop, there’s now some confusion as to who had proposed the joint Opposition rally next month, with some Opposition members under the belief that the proposal was made by the SLPP’s Namal, while some believe that it was made by Wickremesinghe.

Several Opposition members told ‘The Black Box’ that the proposal for the joint Opposition rally in November was made by Namal, while some others noted that they had been informed of the move by Wickremesinghe and that it was the latter who had asked them to support the organising of the rally and to ask Namal to bring in the crowds.

Nelum Mawatha activated

Meanwhile, the SLPP Headquarters on Nelum Mawatha in Battaramulla has witnessed an increase in its political activities. While SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam is seen coordinating many meetings at the headquarters, Namal has also become a frequent visitor, amidst his grassroots level campaign in villages, to hold meetings and discussions with party organisers and seniors.

These meetings, it is learnt, are focused on the political course the party should take in the coming months.

Kariyawasam, Johnston Fernando, Indika Anuruddha, Jayantha Ketagoda, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana, and Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana were among the party seniors who had attended these meetings. Former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera, who was bailed after months in remand custody, had also been at the meeting. Many party seniors had inquired about his well-being as well as his experience in remand custody.

The SLPP has also appointed convenors for organisations affiliated with the party.

During these discussions, Namal had further informed of a plan to organise a joint Opposition rally next month and asked MP D.V. Chanaka and Sanjeewa Edirimanna to discuss the matter with other Opposition parties.

Meeting with RW

It is in such a backdrop that a meeting was held recently at Wickremesinghe’s Flower Road office with several Opposition politicians. Among those who had attended this meeting were Gammanpila, Alles, Nimal Lanza, Edirimanna, and Anuruddha.

It is learnt that a joint Opposition news conference had been planned at this meeting. The planned joint Opposition rally next month and other details related to the Opposition coalition are to be publicised at the news briefing.

Sagara’s claim

Meanwhile, SLPP General Secretary Kariyawasam has said that the SLPP can consider aligning with the UNP or SJB if the parties publicly announce that they accept the policies of the ‘Mahinda Chinthana.’ “We can consider an alliance if they publicly state that they agree with the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ policies,” he said.

He explained that the UNP and SJB were one party that had split and followed similar policies. “They don’t have anyone who supports a unitary state and they believe in a neoliberal economy. We can wish them luck for their alliance as a political party, but we have no intention of joining such a political alliance,” Kariyawasam noted.

SJB keeps close watch

Amidst these developments, the main Opposition SJB is keeping a close watch on the unfolding developments among other Opposition parties under Wickremesinghe’s leadership and his collaboration with Namal.

Opposition and SJB Leader Premadasa has also decided to handle the ongoing moves to form a common work programme with the UNP while also monitoring the UNP’s affiliations with other Opposition parties.

No reprieve for rogues

Several SJBers as well as coalition members of the SJB alliance have also come out strongly against individuals facing allegations of crime and corruption.

Several SJB MPs have stated that even if the SJB forms a common working programme with the UNP, the party will continue to call for action against those involved in the Central Bank Treasury bond scam and support the ongoing investigations. In fact, the MPs have further informed the party leadership that the SJB should continue its anti-corruption programme regardless of any common work programme.

Meanwhile, Mano Ganesan, the Leader of the SJB’s alliance partner, the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), says that the leadership of an alliance between the SJB and UNP should be vested with the SJB since the party enjoys the highest number of MPs in Parliament when compared to the UNP and has a ‘lion’s share.’ 

However, he said that they (SJB alliance members) could never sit together with rogues even if an alliance was formed. “We cannot unite with rogues. We cannot be fighting alongside them,” Ganesan said.

UNP issues statement

However, the UNP on Wednesday (15) called on all Opposition parties to support the safeguarding of the multiparty system, which requires preserving the identity and policies of each political party while working collectively towards democratic goals.

The UNP has also expressed willingness to work in unity with the SJB by bridging existing differences between the two parties and further confirmed its participation in discussions held at the Opposition Leader’s Office under Premadasa’s leadership.

According to the UNP, it is open to holding discussions with all other political parties and has agreed to appoint a committee to facilitate dialogue with the SJB.

Meanwhile, the UNP has also appointed a three-member committee to hold discussions with the SJB. The committee comprises UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, UNP General Secretary Thalatha Atukorale, and President’s Counsel Ronald Perera.

SJB hits back

Nevertheless, the SJB responded to the UNP statement by stating that the party would never align with the SLPP.

SJB MP Ajith Perera noted that neither the individuals of the SLPP nor its policies were agreeable to the SJB and that the SLPP was also of the same view where the SJB was concerned.

However, he further observed that the SJB would stand by anyone if there was a clear case of political victimisation of any individual in the Opposition. 

It is also learnt that several SJBers have already held a discussion with the party leadership about concerns when engaging with Opposition parties, especially the UNP given the latter’s continuing push to work together with the SLPP.

RW’s agent

However, it is now evident that despite the SJB deciding to formulate a common programme led by it to work with the UNP, there are concerns emerging among some SJBers about the move, especially about the three-member committee appointed by the party leadership to prepare a document proposing the mechanism to initiate this common programme.

Several SJBers have expressed concerns about one member of the three-member committee, claiming that given the close ties between this committee member and UNP Leader Wickremesinghe, there are doubts over the report being prepared for the SJB to base the proposed common work programme on. “Given the close ties between this committee member and Ranil (Wickremesinghe), there are doubts that the report can be prepared in a manner beneficial to the UNP,” one concerned SJBer said.

Nevertheless, several other SJB leaders dismissed these concerns, saying that such sentiments would only result in a division of the SJB.

Request for security vehicles

Meanwhile, according to Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala, former Presidents MR and Maithripala Sirisena have requested the return of vehicles previously provided for their security.

He said that if returning the vehicles were to affect their security in any way, there was a possibility for the vehicles to be returned to them and that the request had already been submitted to the Threat Assessment Committee under the Public Security Ministry. Actions will then be taken according to the committee’s decision. 

“Under the current law governing former presidents’ entitlements, some vehicles were handed over. I recently stated in Parliament that if their security was affected in any way, the law allows for those vehicles to be returned,” the Minister said.

Photo ban

Meanwhile, people from many parts of the country continue to visit MR at Carlton House in Tangalle. 

It is learnt that the increase in the number of visitors for MR has caused several concerns. Key among them are his security and the photographs and videos being taken and posted online by many of the visitors.

However, it is also learnt that some members of the security staff at Carlton House have requested visitors not to take photographs of/with MR.

Gifts from China

MR meanwhile received a group of Chinese traders who were on a visit to Sri Lanka at his Tangalle residence on Thursday (16). The group had visited MR on their way to Weligama and Nuwara Eliya.

The group had presented gifts to the former President and inquired about his well-being during the visit.

It is reported that this is the first group of Chinese traders to visit MR after he vacated his official residence at Wijerama Mawatha in Colombo, and the group had also taken a selfie with MR.

CIABOC DG’s revelation

Meanwhile, the continuing focus on anti-corruption is evident by CIABOC Director General Ranga Dissanayake’s recent statement that there is corruption in 60% of State institutions in the country. He made this revelation during a recent workshop held in Colombo.

Dissanayake has also made an interesting statement about the powers vested with the CIABOC under the new laws. He has noted that despite the commission being vested with many powers to combat corruption, even those who had drafted and implemented them were unable to grasp the extent of the powers of the CIABOC at present.

Maithri at CIABOC

Meanwhile, former President Maithripala Sirisena appeared before the CIABOC on Monday (13) to record a statement related to an alleged financial fraud. He had remained at the commission for approximately five hours, recording the statement.

Sirisena was summoned in connection with a financial irregularity reported to have occurred about 15 years ago at an institution affiliated with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

Spotlight on Manusha

Meanwhile, former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara appeared before the CIABOC on Wednesday (15) after the Colombo Magistrate’s Court had dismissed the anticipatory bail application filed by him on Tuesday (14). Nanayakkara was arrested by the CIABOC on Wednesday after recording a statement for about five hours and was later released on bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama had delivered the order on the anticipatory bail application filed earlier through a 15-page order, where it had stated that the court was not satisfied with the reasons presented by the petitioner in claiming that the CIABOC was attempting to arrest him with malice, and therefore the anticipatory bail application was dismissed.

Buildings without owners

Meanwhile, buildings without owners have become a feature in anti-corruption probes, with the first such structure appearing from Malwana during the ‘Yahapalana’ Government. 

The anti-corruption probes conducted by the then ‘Yahapalana’ Government uncovered a building in Malwana allegedly owned by former Minister Basil Rajapaksa. However, Basil later informed the court that he did not own the building in Malwana and the Government took over the building without an owner.

Similarly, this time around, a residential structure in the Kataragama area, initially said to have been owned by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, is now without an owner after he refuted recent reports linking him to the property. He has stated that the building near the Menik Ganga is not a property owned by him.

Issuing a statement, Gotabaya has said that a news report previously published in the media has mistakenly claimed that a building constructed by another individual near the Menik Ganga in Kataragama belongs to him.

“On Monday, 13 October 2025, certain television channels aired a report in which my name was once again mentioned in relation to this building. A CID investigation was conducted in the past regarding the ownership of this building. I also provided a statement as part of that investigation,” he has stated.

Gotabaya has further said that the reason he was questioned about this matter was due to an application submitted under the name ‘G. Rajapaksha’ to obtain an electricity connection for the said building.

“That application did not contain a proper signature. The space where the signature should have been was marked with an unclear scribble. As this false report continues to resurface from time to time, I firmly state for public awareness that the building near the Menik Ganga in Kataragama is not my property,” Gotabaya has claimed.