That the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has dealt a severe blow to Sri Lanka amidst an economic recovery process is evident by the increasing threats faced by the nation, including further limitations to fuel supplies, electricity cuts, and water cuts. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and his Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) Government undoubtedly have their work cut out for them, with their foreign policy also being put to the test.

The external challenges faced by the country and the resultant internal challenges have also shown that President AKD is most often left to personally intervene to resolve the emerging multiple crises, indicating that the JVP/NPP Government is completely reliant on AKD for its survival. 

Despite being able to secure emergency diesel and petrol supplies from India following a conversation between AKD and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, with further requests for fuel being forwarded to India and two urgent fuel shipments from Russia having been secured, the looming energy crisis in Sri Lanka is far from being resolved. 

It is also interesting that while India has moved forward to negotiate and procure required energy sources from Iran, following the embargo on Iranian energy supplies having been eased by the US and other South Asian nations also looking at securing energy supplies from Iran, the Sri Lankan Government, however, has opted not to pursue Iranian energy supplies to shore up the fast-depleting energy stocks in the country despite a statement by Iranian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alireza Delkhosh last week that Iran was willing to assist Sri Lanka with its fuel necessities. The JVP/NPP Government’s response to Iran’s statement has been that Sri Lanka did not have vessels to transport the stocks to the country.

The Government meanwhile is continuing to urge the public to use electricity and fuel responsibly, as supply constraints linked to disruptions in global oil markets caused by the ongoing Middle East war show no sign of abating. Local fuel prices have also surged by around 35% following the outbreak of the Middle East conflict, with increases implemented in two separate revisions.

The cascading effect of the most recent fuel price revision resulted in increases in bus fares and other public transportation modes and increased container haulage charges affecting the export and import sectors of the country, as well as an increase in prices of food products.

Meanwhile, increasing global oil prices and shipment costs continue to strain State coffers, with additional expenses hitting the country’s forex reserves, which were being shored up to prepare for debt repayments starting next year.

Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has stated that despite the recent fuel price increase, the Government is still bearing a monthly cost of Rs. 20 billion by subsidising fuel in the local market. He noted that the Government incurred Rs. 100 per litre of diesel and Rs. 20 per litre of petrol. The Minister further noted that had the price revision not been implemented, the Government would have had to bear an additional burden of approximately $ 1.5 billion, which in turn would have increased pressure on the US Dollar, triggering wider economic repercussions.

Diesel power generation

Meanwhile, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has noted that power generation from diesel has increased due to fast depleting stocks of naphtha that are usually used for power generation. Hence, night-time power generation will be carried out using diesel until the country manages to secure the required crude oil shipments.

It is learnt that the country will run out of naphtha stocks since two crude oil shipments that were due had not arrived as planned.

According to the CPC, in the event Sri Lanka fails to secure crude oil shipments in the next few weeks, the Sapugaskanda refinery can only be operated till the middle of next month. Once refinery operations cease due to the lack of crude oil, so will the production of furnace fuel and naphtha.

However, it is learnt that while a furnace oil shipment is expected around 12–13 April, the continuing shortage of naphtha will increase reliance on diesel for power generation.

Pending shipments

Apart from the combined shipment of 38,000 MT of diesel and petrol that arrived in Colombo from India yesterday (28), according to Minister Jayatissa, two diesel shipments carrying 37,000 MT are expected to arrive in the country between 6 and 7 April.

Among the other expected fuel shipments are 30,000 MT of furnace oil between 12 and 13 April, a shipment of 35,000 MT of Jet A-1 fuel between 10 and 11 April, and a shipment of 30,000 MT of petrol between 16 and 17 April.

The Minister further noted that although a 30,000 MT crude oil shipment was expected in April, the shipment would not arrive as planned.

A shipment carrying 30,000 MT of crude oil is now expected to arrive in the country only in June. Operations of the Sapugaskanda refinery therefore are expected to cease by the middle of next month and resume around June once the next crude oil shipment arrives in Sri Lanka.

The Indian shipment

The 38,000 MT combined shipment sent by India to Lanka IOC (LIOC) is a replenishment of LIOC supplies that were disrupted when the company’s suppliers from the Middle East and Singapore, from whom LIOC had secured fuel shipments for March, had invoked force majeure due to supply disruptions and vessel unavailability amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Due to these disruptions, rescue supplies were requested from India from Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) and the current shipment of 38,000 MT is part of these supplies.   

Accordingly, the Indian Government has extended support to Sri Lanka to ensure continuity of fuel supply through LIOC.

Marshavin’s visit

Meanwhile, President AKD made a significant stride in ensuring energy supplies to Sri Lanka during the three-day visit to Sri Lanka by Russia’s Deputy Minister of Energy Roman Marshavin starting Thursday (26) morning. Marshavin arrived in Sri Lanka on flight SU 588 and was welcomed by Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera. After concluding his visit to Sri Lanka yesterday (28), he left for Moscow on flight SU 589.

Marshavin has reportedly been assigned the management of oil, fuel, and coal by the Russian Government.

During his visit, the Russian Deputy MInister engaged in several decisive official meetings, including with President AKD on Thursday. The first key meeting was on Thursday evening at the Finance Ministry, chaired by Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance Anil Jayantha Fernando and including Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Energy Arkam Ilyas, Treasury Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma, Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe, and several other officials.

At the outset of the meeting, Minister Fernando had explained the long-standing relationship between Sri Lanka and Russia and thanked Russia for its continued support. Afterwards, the discussion had focused on Sri Lanka’s urgent energy requirements, especially diesel and crude oil supplies. It is learnt that the Government had requested Siberian light crude oil since it could be used at the Sapugaskanda refinery with some adjustments. The local refinery is designed for Middle Eastern light crudes like Iranian light and Arabian light.

During the meeting, the Russian Deputy Minister of Energy had agreed that Russia could supply the requirement for diesel and light crude oil on a Government-to-Government basis, and immediate steps had been taken during the meeting to inform Moscow of the need to assign a diesel shipment for Sri Lanka as well as a crude oil shipment. It was decided to finalise the agreements by this week. It is also learnt that as a show of support to Sri Lanka, the Russian side had agreed to initiate the shipping process immediately at a concessionary rate with flexible payment.

Following the meeting at the Finance Ministry, the Russian delegation met with President AKD and another high-level delegation at the Presidential Secretariat. Minister Fernando was also present at this meeting, where he had briefed the President on the decisions reached at the previous meeting.

President AKD, while thanking the Russian Government, had offered a special thank you to Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Levan S. Dzhagaryan as well as staff members at the Russian Embassy for their continued support.

During the meeting, President AKD had also informed the Russian delegation of an urgent requirement for agro-fertiliser in Sri Lanka. Deputy Minister Marshavin had assured the President that he would inform the relevant officials in Moscow about the fertiliser requirement. Ambassador Dzhagaryan had assured the President that he would personally intervene to help Sri Lanka secure fertiliser stocks under another Government-to-Government programme.

It is further learnt that the Russian side had also requested President AKD to inform Russia of any other urgent supplies required and that depending on the requirement, they (the Russians) were willing to expedite such supplies even through air freight.

The Russian Deputy Minister and the Russian delegation were later hosted for dinner on Thursday by Sri Lanka’s Energy Minister at the Cinnamon Life hotel. He met Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath on Friday (27) evening. Herath was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra and Deputy Minister of Energy Ilyas.

Prior to Marshavin’s departure from Galle Face Hotel in Colombo yesterday morning, Deputy Minister Fernando had paid him a courtesy call as well. 

Strengthening ties

However, it is interesting to note the developments that led to Marshavin’s visit to Sri Lanka last week. ‘The Black Box’ learns that the actions of a Government Minister last year had nearly jeopardised Sri Lanka’s good relations with Russia and had remedial steps not been taken by President AKD and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka may not have been able to secure fuel and fertiliser stocks from Russia on a Government-to-Government basis.

It is learnt that a Government Minister overseeing a key sector in the country and who is currently facing much controversy had visited Russia last year and met with Deputy Minister Marshavin along with Sri Lanka’s envoy to Russia. During this meeting, the Sri Lankan Minister had invited Marshavin to visit Sri Lanka and had left after having concluded the meeting. Once back in Sri Lanka, it seemed the Minister had forgotten all about his invitation to the Russian Deputy Minister, probably due to the belief that it is a usual verbal pleasantry that is most often used in Sri Lanka.

For the Russian side, however, it was quite different. The Russians had believed that the Sri Lankan Minister, given the authority of the office held, was serious about the invitation and would send an official invite to Deputy Minister Marshavin’s office. However, no such invite had been extended even after the dawn of 2026.

This incident had caused much distress to the Russians, including high-ranking officials at the Russian mission in Colombo.

These details had reached President AKD and several senior Government members when Sri Lanka started to look for urgent fuel supplies and was looking at Russia as well. 

Foreign Minister Herath had immediately organised a meeting with Russian Ambassador Dzhagaryan several weeks back and, while initiating the discussion on securing fuel supplies from Russia for Sri Lanka, had also handed over an official invite to Deputy Minister Marshavin to visit Sri Lanka.

The invitation had been immediately dispatched to Moscow and arrangements were made for Marshavin’s visit to Sri Lanka while the Russian Embassy in Colombo had commenced the urgent groundwork needed to facilitate fuel and other urgent requirements for Sri Lanka. 

Increasing interest

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Minister Marshavin’s visit to Sri Lanka was closely watched by the diplomatic community in Colombo. There was heightened interest in seeing how Sri Lanka would approach Russia and the deal that would be struck between the two countries on key energy sources.

One of the key areas of interest has been on whether Sri Lanka and Russia would enter into any long-term deals given that the lifting of the US sanctions on Russian energy sources would come to and after the 30-day period on 20 April. 

Apart from the US, which would keep a close watch on Sri Lanka-Russia relations for obvious reasons, China and India are also among those keeping a close watch on the unfolding developments. For India, as pointed out by some geopolitical experts, it is about maintaining its newly-reformed image of being Sri Lanka’s trusted friend while ensuring that India is aware of any developments taking place in Sri Lanka. 

It is in such a backdrop that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s telephone conversation with President AKD took place on Tuesday (24). This conversation took place a day after a telephone conversation between Minister Herath and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Pressure mounts over Minister

Despite attempts to prevent an energy crisis in the country, the Government meanwhile is continuing to face pressure from JVP/NPP members as well as individuals and groups who supported the ruling party to obtain power at the last national elections over Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody.

All these JVP/NPP supporters have urged the Government to remove the Minister from his portfolio given the ongoing probe on him by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and the case before the Colombo High Court over the same. The charges stem from his tenure as Manager of the Production and Imports Division of the State Fertiliser Company in 2015. 

These groups, it is learnt, have also criticised President AKD’s recent defence of Jayakody during a televised media briefing.

It is also learnt that several senior JVP/NPP members have decided to further discuss Jayakody’s issue at the weekly meeting of the ruling party Executive Committee due to pressure exerted by party members for the Government to follow the policies presented by it to the public in the run-up to Presidential and Parliamentary Elections that assured transparency and accountability.

Meanwhile, indictments were filed by the CIABOC before the Colombo High Court against Minister Jayakody last Friday (27) and the court ordered his release on bail on two sureties of Rs. 1 million each. Several pro-Government social media activists were seen posting critical comments on social media questioning whether the Energy Minister would resign until the conclusion of the case, while some had criticised the arrogance shown by him when walking out of the courtroom on bail.

Bimal also admits coal issue

Meanwhile, Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake last week admitted that substandard coal had been imported to the country and that the supplier responsible had paid fines of up to $ 2 million.

Following a decision by the ruling party to admit to quality issues in relation to recent coal supplies, the Minister noted during a public event that the laboratory tests on the imported coal had proven substandard quality, after which fines had been imposed on the said company. 

He further noted that coal tenders involved a complex process that had to be handled carefully to maintain adequate stocks, adding that only fines could be imposed at this juncture. “I’m not justifying the mistake, but we don’t have a surplus of anything. We cannot change the company at this point, as the order procedure takes months. If the company says it is bankrupt because of an unreasonable fine, it will adversely affect our coal supply,” Rathnayake explained. 

Complaint against Prasanna

Meanwhile, a complaint was lodged at the CIABOC by a civil society group calling for an investigation into alleged irregularities in the procurement of 100 buses following a recent statement by Minister Rathnayake’s deputy.

National Movement for the Protection of Public Rights Convenor Nuwan Thilakaratne has noted that the complaint was filed following recent claims by Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Gunasena that four buses had been received as a form of gratification in the transaction.

“We decided to lodge a complaint because regardless of whether a bribe is taken openly or secretly, it is still wrong,” Thilakaratne has said, while questioning the transparency of the procurement process, noting that the buses were purchased using public funds.

“These buses were bought using taxpayers’ money, not personal funds, so the public has a right to know what exactly happened in this deal,” he has noted.

“In the past, if 10 buses were bought, one bus was given free. Based on that, for 100 buses, 10 should have been received. But if only four buses were given, what happened to the other six?” he has further questioned, asking whether the remaining value had been provided in another form.

No AG for Speaker

Meanwhile, the Attorney General (AG) has said that there won’t be representation by the Attorney General’s Department for Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne in the case filed by suspended Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne.

Kularatne had filed a petition before the Court of Appeal challenging his removal from office and the Attorney General’s Department has informed the court that it will not appear on behalf of Speaker Wickramaratne, who is one of the respondents.

The Speaker is represented by President’s Counsel K. Kanag-Isvaran.

‘Boru madivata horu’

The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) meanwhile is continuing with its islandwide anti-Government campaign titled ‘Boru madivata horu – Anura fail’. The series is aimed at creating awareness among the grassroots about the shortcomings of the incumbent Government and its failure to honour its pledges concerning transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption.

The campaign includes seminars focusing on the controversy surrounding coal imports, as well as the overall crises in the energy sector, which elaborate on the Government’s alleged failures that have further exacerbated the current energy crisis. Several key figures of the SJB are speakers at these seminars while University of Peradeniya Department of Economics and Statistics Senior Professor in Economics Prasanna Perera is also a new addition to the list of speakers.

Prof. Perera has brought in a fresh breath of air to the SJB by presenting complex economic issues in layman’s terms to the people. He has received his tertiary education in Sri Lanka and with his work in the local academic field, he has been able to better understand the pulse of the people, enabling him to present more practical solutions to issues faced by the country and its people. Prof. Perera has also been participating in political debates representing the SJB and it is learnt that he is now included among the SJB leadership’s advisers.

Sajith on SJB-UNP alliance

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has said that the SJB and the United National Party (UNP) will definitely unite to build a democratic, people-friendly country and government.

Addressing the 84th birth anniversary commemoration of the late Minister Gamini Dissanayake held in Colombo recently, Premadasa made a strong claim about the proposed SJB-UNP alliance.

Premadasa had noted at the event that in an era when many opportunities were missed and wrong decisions were made, leaving 22 million people to suffer the consequences, it was necessary to strengthen a common people’s camp instead of Leftist or Rightist divisions.

He had also stated that the late Gamini Dissanayake had envisioned a country with food security, land for the landless, and a strengthened people’s camp, adding that the SJB and UNP would join hands to fulfil that vision.

The Opposition Leader had further stated that Sri Lankans no longer accepted “coconut shell politics” or “dollar bundle politics,” nor were they prepared for unity in such alliances.

Victory, he had noted, had to be won through people’s trust, not sold for rupees and cents.

UNP’s stance

While a majority of UNPers continue to believe in the formation of an alliance between the SJB and UNP, there still remains a senior UNP member who is opposed to such an alliance.

It is learnt that this senior UNP figure continues to get his lackeys to plant news in the media claiming that the SJB-UNP alliance talks have failed and that such an attempt at unity will not take off the ground. Instead, this UNP senior continues to promote an alliance between the UNP and the Rajapaksa-led Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

It is also learnt that the senior UNPer had informed some of his media contacts that an alliance between the UNP led by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Rajapaksa-led SLPP would be a sure recipe for victory at the next national-level election.

However, it will be interesting to see if the SLPP, especially the party’s National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa, who is viewed as an emerging youth leader, is prepared to carry the weight of the UNP and its baggage.

Post-surgery RW

Meanwhile, Wickremesinghe is continuing with his post-surgery recovery in Singapore. It is learnt that Wickremesinghe’s surgery in Singapore had been performed by a doctor of Sri Lankan origin who had migrated to Singapore during the 1983 ethnic riots in Sri Lanka. 

He had performed heart surgeries on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and former Minister Rajitha Senaratne as well.

It is also learnt that Wickremesinghe’s family has enforced strict rules regarding visitors as well as telephone calls from Sri Lanka. However, UNP seniors Wajira Abeywardena and Sagala Ratnayaka had visited Wickremesinghe in Singapore on his birthday last Tuesday (24). Abeywardena had managed to organise a small birthday cake for the former President following medical clearance and everyone had followed medical advice when engaging with Wickremesinghe.

Sajith ready

Meanwhile, Premadasa, it is learnt, has decided to prepare for further expansion on the impact of the current global crisis on Sri Lanka. 

One of the biggest criticisms faced by Premadasa from many SJB supporters during the 2022 economic crisis faced by Sri Lanka was that he was unprepared or afraid to take over the challenge of steering the country out of the crisis, making way for Wickremesinghe to take over the post of Prime Minister and eventually the presidency.

During a meeting of the SJB Management Committee chaired by Premadasa, it had been pointed out that there was yet again a risk of the country facing another economic crisis and that the SJB as the main Opposition party needed to be prepared with its role in such eventuality.

Accordingly, a committee had been appointed to study the current developments and prepare a report on the SJB’s political approach. The committee comprises SJB MPs Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Tissa Attanayake, Harshana Rajakaruna, S.M. Marikkar, and Mujibur Rahman.

A senior SJBer told ‘The Black Box’ that Premadasa had been prevented from taking charge in 2022 by a group of senior SJB members. “This will not happen again,” the SJB senior noted.

SJB slams Wimal

Meanwhile, amidst efforts by the likes of former Minister G.L. Peiris to bring Opposition political parties onto a joint platform, former Minister Wimal Weerawansa was slammed by the SJB over recent critical remarks made by him about Opposition and SJB Leader Premadasa. 

During a political interview on a private television channel, Weerawansa had made some critical comments about the Opposition led by Premadasa, referring to it as a “sevala vipakshaya”. He had also made several more critical comments about Premadasa.

The SJB, which usually does not engage in below-the-belt attacks on other members of the Opposition, this time around had decided to change this policy. The SJB Communications Division at its weekly discussion had decided to attack Weerawansa and the task was assigned to the SJB’s Niroshan Padukka, who served a below-the-belt attack on Weerawansa and listed out the latter’s alleged misdoings and wavering policies.

It is learnt that the SJB has decided to engage in a no-tolerance approach when it comes to criticism levelled against the party leadership.

However, it will be interesting to see how the parties that are all vying to take the lead in the Opposition engage with the SJB’s new policy.

Probing MR’s assets

Meanwhile, it is learnt that there is a discussion at the CIABOC about launching a probe into former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s (MR) assets.

This discussion had commenced after MR’s name was in the spotlight over the ongoing probe into the Airbus deal. The ongoing investigation into the Airbus aircraft procurement deal involving SriLankan Airlines took a significant turn with MR being named in court proceedings. 

This development has drawn considerable public and political attention, as it connects a former Head of State to a high-profile international corruption inquiry. However, while the allegation is serious, it remains part of an ongoing legal process and has not been proven in a court of law.

Udaya gearing up for jail

Meanwhile, former Minister Udaya Gammanpila expects to be put behind bars in order to prevent the launch of his book revealing the mastermind of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks; the book is scheduled for release this Tuesday (31).

However, his initial prediction of being put behind bars on Friday (27) did not happen, and some of Gammanpila’s associates claim that there is still time till Tuesday.

Gammanpila has told the media on Monday (23) that Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Jayatissa had recently indicated that the book may not be released, as Gammanpila might be arrested before that. “It is evident from the Minister’s statement that the Government is making preparations to arrest me to prevent my book from being released,” he has said. 

Gammanpila was referring to comments by Minister Jayatissa during a recent Government media briefing, where he had responded to questions about Gammanpila’s statements. “If there is no issue with the case against Udaya Gammanpila scheduled for 27 March, he will be able to make some revelation,” Jayatissa had said, responding to Gammanpila’s claim that he would disclose the alleged mastermind behind the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks by the end of the month. 

Opposition leaders unite

Meanwhile, key Opposition party leaders including Opposition Leader Premadasa joined forces last week to write to several international legal professional organisations, warning of grave threats to lawyers and the public amid rising violence and politicisation of law enforcement.

The letter was signed by Opposition and SJB Leader Premadasa, Wickremesinghe (UNP), Namal Rajapaksa (SLPP), Jeevan Thondaman (Ceylon Workers’ Congress), Nimal Siripala de Silva (Sri Lanka Freedom Party), Mano Ganesan (Tamil Progressive Alliance), Dilith Jayaweera (Sarvajana Balaya), and others.

The letter highlighted a recurring pattern of shootings and killings, with more than 60 lives lost last year and nine already in 2026. It also cited the killing of Attorney-at-Law Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his wife near a high-security zone on 13 February.

The signatories accused the Police of irresponsibly linking the victim to criminal clients within an hour of the murder, undermining the seriousness of the attack and warning of erosion in judicial independence, political pressure on the Attorney General, and threats to due process. The proposed anti-terrorism law was described as striking at the root of democratic institutions and targeting media freedom.

The letter noted that for a country which had been justifiably proud of the stature and integrity of institutions responsible for the administration of justice, it was singularly disheartening that there was now, to a significant extent, erosion of an environment conducive to the proper functioning of the court system. It added that prevailing conditions no longer allowed bench and bar to fulfil their duties with robust independence, bereft of fear and favour, and posed a basic challenge to the right of any accused person, enshrined in the Constitution of the country, to be represented by counsel.

The letter further noted there was clear evidence of pressure brought to bear on the Attorney General, which had the effect of politicising the exercise of the prosecutorial function, with consequent detriment to the perceived fairness of the criminal justice process. The politicians pointed out that due process, natural justice, and established traditions were being cynically violated by vicious political attacks, which had taken the place of legal submissions in courts of law. 

Politicising the Police

The letter further stated that the extreme politicisation of the Police force compromised impartial investigations and that the Government was in breach of its duty under international conventions to protect lawyers.

According to the letter, rising public discontent across the spectrum is sought to be suppressed by the provisions of a proposed anti-terrorism law, which, in its present form, strikes at the very root of cherished democratic institutions and values in the country, and demonstrably infringes on core obligations undertaken by Sri Lanka in international instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Directly targeted are media institutions with obvious vulnerability for owners, editors, executive staff, and media personnel at all levels.

It added that the extreme politicisation of the Police force, under the leadership of an Inspector General who had jettisoned even the appearance of detachment and objectivity, militated seriously against professionalism and impartiality in respect of criminal investigations, including the inquiry into the recent killing of a member of the legal profession.

Breach of duty

The letter also alleged that the Government was clearly in breach of its duty to take administrative and, if necessary, legislative measures to give effect to Article 9(4) of the Luxembourg Convention, adopted by the Council of Europe, for the protection of lawyers. The Commonwealth Association on 9 July 2016 emphatically endorsed the convention with the assertion that “if the lawyer is not protected, then no one is protected”. These salient features of a vibrant democracy are today under sustained and formidable challenge in our country, they said. 

The Opposition leaders further alleged that Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala had failed dismally in his duty to secure the safety of citizens and to forestall the increasingly manifest deterioration of law and order in Sri Lanka.

“We would like to alert international professional bodies with regard to the grave threats to the life and safety of professionals in our country and urge them to make suitable interventions to help us preserve a culture which we have held sacrosanct over the decades,” it was added. 

Paying ex-Minister’s fuel bill

Meanwhile, former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Nishantha Wickramasinghe was arrested by officers of the CIABOC on Tuesday (24) over alleged corruption and was later released on bail by court that evening.

The arrest was made in connection with accusations that the former Chairman had instructed officials to settle fuel bills of a Civil Aviation Minister using funds belonging to SriLankan Airlines.

Investigations revealed that, by influencing officials and violating relevant circulars, the payments had been made during the period from 2011 to 2015, causing a loss of Rs. 2,853,935.04 to the Government while conferring an undue benefit on a private party.

Salley’s illness

Meanwhile, former Chief of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Major General (Retd) Suresh Salley, who is detained and being questioned under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, was admitted to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo following a sudden illness on Wednesday (25).

It is learnt that Salley had fallen ill on Tuesday (24) and been admitted to the National Hospital after being subjected to a medical examination and examined by a magistrate. He had later been released from hospital after receiving treatment for the illness. Neither Salley’s lawyers nor family members were allowed to visit him, according to reports.

CID Director Shani Abeysekara also came under focus in court last Thursday (26) as Salley’s defence sought to have the Easter Sunday attack investigation removed from his supervision. However, Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara had rejected the request, ruling that no strong grounds had been presented for the probe to be transferred to another Police unit.

The court had also questioned why Salley had not been produced before court, and the Magistrate had stressed that, as a suspect, he must be produced before court and not merely kept in custody. Accordingly, the CID was ordered to produce Salley in court on 22 April when the case is to be taken up next.