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الوسم: Sri Lanka

  • Tragedy at Sri Lanka Prison: 23 Killed, 100+ Injured in Riot

    Tragedy at Sri Lanka Prison: 23 Killed, 100+ Injured in Riot

    Clashes inside a Sri Lankan prison have resulted in the deaths of 23 individuals, including four correctional officers, and more than 100 inmates injured. This marks the most violent prison disturbance in the country in over five years, officials reported Monday.

    The injured were transported to Negombo Hospital, located north of Colombo, after overnight violence between prisoners affiliated with two drug trafficking gangs at the main prison in that region. Hospital director Pushpa Gamlath confirmed that the facility received 23 bodies and admitted over 100 wounded inmates and guards.

    “The victims sustained gunshot wounds, lacerations, and severe bruising,” Gamlath told AFP by phone. The chaos began on Sunday night at Negombo Prison, which houses several thousand inmates. As news of the uprising spread, female inmates in an adjoining section climbed onto the roof, demanding their release. During the chaos, part of the roof collapsed, injuring some of the women.

    Police special forces arrived on the scene Monday but did not enter the prison itself. Outside, large groups of family members gathered, while the air force deployed drones and a helicopter to monitor the situation. Local residents reported hearing gunfire during the incident.

    A police official told AFP, “Four guards lost their lives trying to stop the riot. The situation escalated out of control this morning.”

    This outbreak of violence follows a 2020 incident at another Sri Lankan prison where a riot left 11 inmates dead and 117 wounded amid the COVID-19 pandemic. That unrest prompted the government to release hundreds of prisoners to decongest overcrowded facilities.

    Data shows that as of Sunday, Sri Lankan prisons held approximately 41,250 inmates—about four times their official capacity.

  • Sri Lankan Buddhist Monk Nabbed in Sex Abuse Case

    Sri Lankan authorities have detained a senior Buddhist monk on Saturday over allegations of sexual assault involving an underage girl, marking a significant case within the country’s clergy community. Pallegama Hemarathana, 71, was taken into custody at a private hospital in Colombo, where he was receiving treatment during an investigation into an incident from 2022 involving an 11-year-old girl. The alleged abuse reportedly occurred at a revered temple in Anuradhapura, about 125 miles north of Colombo, where Hemarathana serves as the chief priest.

    A police spokesperson stated, “We will follow the guidance of the magistrate regarding the next steps,” and added that the monk will soon appear before a judge. Additionally, the victim’s mother has also been detained for assisting and facilitating the monk’s actions.

    This development followed a court order from Anuradhapura that banned Hemarathana from traveling abroad. While there have been previous reports of clergy abusing minors in Sri Lanka, this is the most senior monk to be accused so far. Hemarathana is the guardian of a sacred tree believed to have originated from a sapling of the Bodhi tree in India, which is said to have sheltered Buddha upon attaining enlightenment over 2,500 years ago. He also oversees eight highly revered temples on a key Buddhist pilgrimage route.

  • Hackers $2.5M Breach Targets Sri Lanka Finance Ministry

    A cyber attack has compromised Sri Lanka’s finance ministry computer network, resulting in the theft of $2.5 million. The government announced this on Thursday, marking the largest amount ever stolen from a government agency in the country, which is heavily burdened by debt.

    This breach is a severe setback for Sri Lanka, which has been struggling to recover from a severe economic crisis in 2022 after defaulting on $46 billion in external debt.

    The funds taken were meant for debt repayment to Australia, according to Harshana Suriyapperuma, the secretary of the finance ministry, who spoke to reporters in the capital.

    Following the breach, four senior officials at the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) were suspended.

    Authorities detected an unauthorized attempt to access the ministry’s email server, and subsequent investigation revealed that a payment of $2.5 million owed to Australia had gone missing.

    “Investigators are examining the situation, and we can’t share further details at this moment,” Suriyapperuma stated. He also mentioned that Sri Lankan officials are seeking assistance from international law enforcement agencies.

    The PDMO was established earlier this year as part of Sri Lanka’s response to its economic turmoil, aided by an IMF-approved bailout package totaling $2.9 billion issued in early 2023.

    Matthew Duckworth, Australia’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, confirmed that Canberra was aware of “irregularities” concerning payments it was owed.

    “Authorities in Sri Lanka are investigating and coordinating with Australian officials, who are assisting with the inquiry,” Duckworth added on social media platform X.

    He reaffirmed Australia’s commitment, emphasizing ongoing support for Sri Lanka’s efforts to restore debt sustainability.

    Earlier this year, Sri Lanka’s central bank and finance ministry launched a campaign in local newspapers warning residents about cyber scams, likely in response to the increasing digital threats facing the country.

  • Sri Lanka Denies US Combat Plan Ground Access, President Confirms

    Sri Lanka Denies US Combat Plan Ground Access, President Confirms

    Sri Lanka’s president announced that two US combat aircraft were denied permission to land at a civilian airport earlier this month. He told parliament that the US requested to land the planes at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in the south from March 4 to 8. The request involved bringing in two fighter jets equipped with eight anti-ship missiles from a base in Djibouti. Sri Lanka refused, citing a desire to uphold its neutrality, a decision met with applause from lawmakers.

    The request from the US had been made on February 26. On the same day, Iran asked for permission for three ships to visit Sri Lanka from March 9 to 13 after taking part in an Indian naval exercise. That request was also turned down.

    Tensions escalated regionally when the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, resulting in a regional conflict that has disrupted energy supplies and unsettled global markets.

    Dissanayake added that had Sri Lanka agreed to Iran’s request, it would have been compelled to approve the US’s demand as well. Earlier in March, Sri Lankan navy forces rescued 32 Iranian crew members from the IRIS Dena after it was torpedoed by a US submarine, an attack that resulted in at least 84 deaths. The navy also saved the crew of IRIS Booshehr after it experienced technical difficulties just outside Sri Lanka’s territorial waters.

    Currently, US Special Envoy Sergio Gor is visiting Sri Lanka and met with President Dissanayake on Thursday. The country continues to recover from a severe financial crisis that peaked in 2022, driven by a dollar shortage and ongoing tensions related to the US-Israeli war on Iran.

    Export markets remain vital, with the US being Sri Lanka’s largest and Iran one of its top buyers of tea.

  • Sri Lanka Alerts for Landslides as Cyclone Deaths Reach 618

    Sri Lanka Alerts for Landslides as Cyclone Deaths Reach 618

    More than 2 million individuals have been impacted by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, affecting nearly 10% of the population. The death toll has climbed to 618, with 464 of those fatalities occurring in the central mountainous region, known for its tea plantations. Currently, 209 people are still reported missing.

    Landslide warnings have been reissued across the island as heavy rains continue to fall in areas already hard-hit. The monsoons are increasing rainfall and destabilizing slopes, especially in the central highlands and the northwestern midlands. Helicopters and aircraft are actively delivering aid to remote communities cut off by landslides.

    The Sri Lankan Air Force announced they received a shipment of relief supplies from Myanmar on Sunday, marking the latest tranche of international assistance.

    The number of people staying in government-organized refugee camps has decreased from a peak of 225,000 to about 100,000, as floodwaters gradually recede. Over 75,000 homes have been damaged, with nearly 5,000 completely destroyed.

    In response to the disaster, the government unveiled a major compensation plan aimed at rebuilding homes and revitalizing local businesses, which were already struggling in the wake of the country’s recent economic crisis. The recovery efforts are estimated to cost up to $7 billion.

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is considering a request from Sri Lanka for an additional $200 million to aid in rebuilding, supplementing the $347 million installment expected later this month as part of a four-year, $2.9 billion bailout agreement made in 2023.

    President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told parliament that while the economy has shown signs of recovery, it remains too fragile to withstand this new shock. Survivors are set to receive as much as 10 million Sri Lankan rupees (about $33,000) to purchase land in safer areas and construct new homes. Those who lost their lives or are permanently disabled will be compensated with a fixed amount of 1 million LKR.

    The government has not disclosed the total cost of the aid package, raising concerns over funding given the country’s ongoing economic instability. To assist in recovery, the central bank has directed both state-owned and private lenders to reschedule existing loans.

  • Sri Lanka declares emergency amid cyclone death toll reaches 132

    Sri Lanka declares emergency amid cyclone death toll reaches 132

    A man assists a woman stranded inside a partially flooded house amid severe flooding in Wellampitiya, on the outskirts of Colombo, on November 29, 2025.— AFP

    – Over 15,000 homes have been destroyed, displacing 78,000 people who are now in temporary shelters.
    – The military rescued 69 bus passengers, including a German tourist, from floodwaters.
    – The government has called for international aid to help support affected communities.

    Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency Saturday and requested international assistance as fatalities from heavy rains and flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 132, with 176 people still missing.

    The cyclone has wrecked over 15,000 homes and forced 78,000 residents into government-run shelters, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). President Anura Kumara Dissanayake enacted emergency laws, granting broad powers to manage the crisis after a week of relentless rainfall across the island.

    “It’s confirmed that 132 people have died, and 176 are missing,” said Sampath Kotuwegoda, the DMC Director-General. Relief efforts have been intensified with the deployment of the army, navy, and air force.

    On Saturday, the military rescued 69 bus passengers, including a German tourist, stranded in the Anuradhapura district, after a 24-hour operation involving helicopters and naval vessels. One passenger recounted that navy personnel helped them climb onto a nearby rooftop after using ropes to navigate floodwaters.

    “We were very fortunate,” Shantha said from a local hospital. “While on the roof, part of it collapsed… three women fell into the water, but they were helped back onto the roof.” An initial helicopter rescue was aborted when rotor downdrafts threatened to blow the roof away; they were later rescued by naval boats.

    Roads in Badulla’s central district remain blocked, isolating many villages and preventing relief supplies from reaching residents. Saman Kumara from Maspanna village, one of the worst-hit areas, reported losing two people in his community. Others are sheltering at a temple and a still-standing house.

    “We can’t leave the village, and no one can enter because all roads are blocked by landslides. There’s no food, and clean water is scarce,” he told News Center by phone.

    Officials say about one-third of the country is without electricity and clean water, due to collapsed power lines and overwhelmed water purification stations. Internet access has also been disrupted in many regions.

    Cyclone Ditwah moved away from Sri Lanka Saturday, heading toward northern India. Chennai Airport has canceled 54 flights in anticipation of the cyclone’s approach, which the weather department warns will bring intense rainfall and strong winds over the next 48 hours.

    Landslides have struck Kandy, 115 kilometers east of Colombo, with several main roads submerged. The government is appealing for international support and has urged Sri Lankans abroad to donate cash to aid recovery efforts.

    Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has met with diplomats based in Colombo to update them on the situation and seek assistance. India responded promptly, dispatching two flights of relief supplies and donating rations from an Indian navy ship already stationed in Colombo on a goodwill visit.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences for the lives lost and affirmed India’s readiness to provide more aid. Flooding worsened in low-lying areas on Saturday, prompting evacuation orders along the Kelani River, which flows into the Indian Ocean from Colombo.

    While most of the country has seen eased rainfall, the northern regions continue to experience showers due to residual effects of Cyclone Ditwah. This storm marks Sri Lanka’s deadliest natural disaster since 2017, when flooding and landslides claimed over 200 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands. The most catastrophic flooding in recent memories occurred in June 2003, resulting in 254 deaths.

  • Sri Lanka detains ex-president Wickremesinghe, local reports say

    Sri Lanka detains ex-president Wickremesinghe, local reports say

    Ranil Wickremesinghe, the former leader of Sri Lanka, was detained by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Friday over allegations of misusing government funds, according to local broadcaster Ada Derana. The 76-year-old was taken into custody after arriving at the CID headquarters in Colombo to provide a statement regarding his trip to London for his wife’s graduation. The police spokesperson in Sri Lanka did not immediately confirm the arrest, and Wickremesinghe’s office had no comment when contacted by Reuters. He was scheduled to appear in court later that day.

    Wickremesinghe, who has served as the country’s prime minister a record six times, became president in 2022 amid a severe financial crisis on the island nation. As the leader of the United National Party (UNP), he assumed office after massive protests and the forced resignation and departure of his predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

    In last year’s presidential election — the first conducted amidst the economic turmoil — Wickremesinghe finished third, behind runner-up Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a Marxist-leaning candidate, and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. The election outcome was seen as a referendum on Wickremesinghe’s attempted economic recovery, which involved austerity measures that were unpopular with the public.

    Descending from a prominent political and business family with extensive media interests, Wickremesinghe entered politics early. At age 29, in 1978, he was appointed the youngest cabinet minister in the country by his uncle, President Junius Jayewardene. Following the assassination of several senior colleagues in 1994, Wickremesinghe took charge as leader of the UNP.