Police have arrested three suspects, including a Municipal Councillor, following an assault at the Anuradhapura Poson festival grounds on Wednesday (01).

According to the Police, the arrests were made by the Anuradhapura Police Station on the same night after three individuals were attacked at the car park. 

The suspects are residents of Pubudu Pura, Wanniyan Kulama, and Labiyawa Naratha Mawatha in Anuradhapura.

Police said the clash stemmed from a dispute over vehicle parking. 

Two of the injured victims are currently receiving treatment at the Anuradhapura Hospital.

The Anuradhapura Police are conducting further investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has instructed relevant authorities to ensure that all ongoing investigations into the Anuradhapura child abuse case are conducted strictly in line with court orders, while also calling for forensic and medical reports to be obtained without delay. 

The Caucus further directed the National Child Protection Authority to monitor proceedings in Anuradhapura, Attanagalla, and Dambulla courts, and urged measures to minimize repeated trauma experienced by the victim due to multiple hearings.

The meeting, held in Parliament recently (05) and chaired by Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj, brought together officials from the Attorney General’s Department, the National Child Protection Authority, the Department of Probation and Child Care Services, and the Sri Lanka Police.

During discussions, the Attorney General’s Department agreed to appear before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court to strengthen judicial processes and improve coordination among institutions. 

The Department of Probation and Child Care Services was also tasked with continuing to safeguard the girl’s education, health, and safety.

The Caucus emphasized the need for effective coordination among law enforcement agencies handling child abuse cases and agreed to intervene where necessary. 

It also decided to develop guidelines for media reporting and judicial proceedings to protect the privacy, security, and dignity of child victims. 

A subcommittee under the Caucus will oversee this process and address legal and practical challenges in child abuse litigation. (Newswire)

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National Organizer of Sarvajana Balaya and former minister Dilum Amunugama has come under severe criticism on social media following remarks he made while speaking on the arrest and detention of an Atamasthanadhipathi Thera.

Speaking at a media briefing, Amunugama claimed that, according to information received by the party, the arrest had been made based on a statement by a sex worker.

“As we heard, the Atamasthanadhipathi Thera has been arrested based on the statement made by a prostitute,” he said.

Social media users questioned Amunugama’s statement, pointing out that reports linked to the matter involve a 15-year-old child and raising concerns over the language used by the former minister.

Several users questioned how a minor could be described in such terms, with many arguing that public figures should exercise greater responsibility and sensitivity when referring to children, particularly in cases involving serious allegations.

The remarks triggered criticism online, with users accusing Amunugama of making an inappropriate and insensitive characterization. (Newswire)

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A collective statement has called for a fair and independent investigation into the serious abuse allegations against Anuradhapura Atamasthanadhipathi Pallegama Hemarathana Thera, stressing that the upcoming hearing on May 22 is not merely about one individual but a test of whether Sri Lanka’s law applies equally to the powerful and the powerless.

The statement highlights that according to information shared by the girl, she is alleged to have faced abuse from a very young age, a grave crime against a child and a moral failure of institutions meant to protect her.

It notes the stark imbalance of power between a highly influential religious figure and a vulnerable girl from a disadvantaged background, raising concerns about whether justice can be enforced without bias.

Public concern has intensified due to reports that police were reluctant to carry out the arrest order and that the suspect was kept in a private hospital even after arrest, creating perceptions of unequal treatment. 

The statement stresses that this outcry stems from genuine fears that power, status, and institutional influence may interfere with the enforcement of the law.

It insists that no one should stand above the law, whether priest or layperson, and cites recent cases, including the Supreme Court ruling against a university professor found guilty of sexual abuse, as examples of the barriers victims face when challenging entrenched systems of power.

The demands outlined include:

• Independent Investigation free from political, religious, or institutional influence.
• Immediate Protection — legal, psychological, and social support for the girl.
• Justice Over Power — a legal process driven by truth and fairness rather than status.

The statement concludes that the government, which came to power promising safety and dignity for women and children, must now prove those promises were genuine by ensuring equal enforcement of the law. (Newswire)

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Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj said her ministry and relevant agencies had taken all necessary steps to ensure the safety and protection of the girl who was allegedly sexually abused in Anuradhapura. 

She rejected claims that the child lacked legal representation, stating that the girl, her sibling and another child relative in the household remain under the ministry’s custody.

The minister said that the government’s decision not to disclose unnecessary details of the case to the media does not mean no action is being taken.

Addressing the media, Minister Paulraj said that a complaint on the incident has been filed by Sri Lanka Police, which is a state entity, while the Attorney General’s advice has been sought on the proceedings of the case. 

“There are attempts by certain parties to take political advantage of the incident. We do not intend to respond to such acts. We have taken all necessary measures regarding the incident,” she said. 

The minister revealed that the recording of all evidence, statements from the victim, site examination, findings of clothing reported to have been buried, and forensic examination and report have all been completed.

She added that the investigation can proceed based on video evidence and other material, such as the forensic report, medical report, and initial statements. 

The Minister of Women and Child Affairs added that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure the protection and well-being of the victim. (Newswire)

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The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) says it has faced no interference in relation to the ongoing investigations into the widely discussed child abuse case involving a minor girl in Anuradhapura.

In a statement issued today, the NCPA said it has been monitoring the case since it was first reported to ensure the law is properly enforced and the child’s rights are protected throughout the investigation process.

The authority said it remains prepared to take appropriate measures whenever necessary to safeguard the child’s best interests and ensure justice is served.

The NCPA further stated that there has been no pressure or influence exerted on the institution regarding the case and assured that steps will continue to be taken to properly oversee the legal process.

It also urged the public not to create unnecessary fear or unrest, warning that undue public agitation could interfere with the administration of justice.

The authority added that the victim is currently being cared for at a special protection centre under secure conditions and that her safety has been ensured.

The NCPA stressed that protecting children from all forms of violence remains a shared responsibility of society.

The statement from NCPA comes after the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthana, Pallegama Hemarathana Thero was arrested on charges of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl. The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday ordered that Hemarathana Thero be remanded until May 22.

The Magistrate visited a private hospital in Colombo, where the suspect monk is currently receiving treatment, before issuing the remand order.

The court also directed prison authorities to transfer the suspect to the National Hospital in Colombo based on medical recommendations.

Prison officials meanwhile submitted a medical report stating that the suspect was not in a condition to be transported over a long distance and required several specialised medical examinations.

Laywers appearing for the suspect monk, told court that his client strongly denies the allegations.

The case is scheduled to be taken up again on May 22. (Newswire)

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Three locally manufactured bombs found at the house of a former commando soldier, located at Matale Junction in Anuradhapura, have been taken into custody by the Anuradhapura Crime Investigation Division.

The Police stated that the raid was carried out based on received information, during which the former commando soldier concerned was also arrested.

However, the Anuradhapura Crime Investigation Division has handed over the bombs to the Police Special Task Force officers for defusing. (Newswire)

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The death toll in a house fire reported in the Galenbidunuwewa area of Anuradhapura today has increased to three.

According to the Police, a man had set fire to his house over a family dispute.

The man and his daughter were reported dead in the incident, while his wife and three other children had been hospitalised with injuries. 

However, the wife had also succumbed to injuries, while the remaining children are receiving treatment at the Anuradhapura Hospital. 

The Galenbidunuwewa Police is conducting further investigations. (Newswire)

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The Anuradhapura long‑distance bus terminal, renovated with financial and service contributions from the “Clean Sri Lanka” national programme, has now been opened for public use.

According to the Ministry of Transport and Highways, the renovation was carried out under the government’s national programme to transform bus terminals and railway stations into secure and well‑equipped public passenger centres.

Long‑distance services operated by both the Sri Lanka Transport Board and private bus companies commence, functioning under a unified timetable from this bus terminal.

This renovation programme has been carried out taking into account the convenience and safety of bus service employees and passengers travelling from Anuradhapura to distant destinations such as Badulla, Matugama, Colombo, Kurunegala, Embilipitiya, and Kandy.

This initiative aims to regularize inter‑provincial bus services while improving the necessary infrastructure facilities. 

With the guidance of the “Clean Sri Lanka” national programme, the project is being successfully implemented across the island through state and private sector partnerships. (Newswire)

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A 16-year-old child has been reported dead in a bus accident near the Jaya Ganga area in Thalawa, Thambuththegama, early this morning.

According to the Police, 39 others were injured after the passenger bus had toppled.

The injured persons are receiving treatment at the Thalawa and Anuradhapura Hospitals. 

Earlier, media reports claimed that five people had died following the accident, but the Police have clarified that only one person was killed in the incident. (Newswire)

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The Director of Education for the North Central Province has decided to suspend the school principal who was recently arrested with a large quantity of heroin in Anuradhapura.

Accordingly, the principal of a school in Eppawala has been interdicted with immediate effect. 

In an official letter addressed to the principal, the Director stated that, based on findings submitted by the Anuradhapura Division Criminal Investigation Unit, the individual is alleged to have committed an offence under the establishments code, warranting immediate suspension from duty.

The principal, who is the husband of a former National People’s Power (NPP) Urban Councillor, was arrested last week in possession of 1.185 kilos of heroin, with an estimated street value of approximately Rs. 20 million.

Yesterday, the Thambuttegama Magistrate’s Court ordered the suspect to be remanded until November 12 for further questioning, while it also authorized the Anuradhapura Division Criminal Investigation Unit to detain and interrogate the suspect further.

Meanwhile, the suspect’s wife, a former member of the NPP representing the Peliyagoda Urban Council, yesterday resigned following the arrest of her husband and son on drug-related charges.

The councillor, Disna Niranjala Kumari, who was elected at the last local government election, said she was deeply distressed by the incident and had decided to step down as a personal and ethical decision. (Newswire)

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A doctor who was indicted before the Anuradhapura High Court for sexually assaulting a 25-year-old single mother who had come to his medical centre to remove a previously implanted intrauterine device (IUD) has been found guilty.

According to the Mawbima newspaper, High Court Judge Dr. Nalin de Hewawasam sentenced the accused doctor to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment.

The High Court Judge also ordered the convicted doctor to pay Rs. 1.5 million as compensation to the 25-year-old single mother. If the compensation is not paid, the doctor will be sentenced to an additional three years of imprisonment, the judge warned.

In addition, High Court Judge Dr. Nalin de Hewawasam further ordered the convicted doctor to pay a fine of Rs. 100,000, warning that if the fine is not paid, he will be sentenced to another year of imprisonment.

While delivering the sentence, High Court Judge Dr. Nalin de Hewawasam stated that the prosecution had succeeded in proving the charges against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.

Accordingly, the High Court Judge declared that the accused was found guilty of the charge of sexual assault brought against him. The sentence was delivered during a re-summoning of the legal proceedings related to this criminal incident before the Anuradhapura High Court.

The doctor sentenced to rigorous imprisonment is a 70-year-old resident of Thisawewa, Anuradhapura. He was previously arrested by the Anuradhapura Police, presented before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court, and later released on bail.

Court proceedings revealed that the offence was committed at the private medical centre operated by the accused in the Thisawewa area of Anuradhapura on or around January 20, 2020. The accused had previously served at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital and Ranaviru Hospital.

It is reported that this marks the first time in the history of a court in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province that such a severe prison sentence has been handed down to a doctor for a criminal offence. (Newswire)

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A one-stop Business Service Centre (BSC) for entrepreneurs was launched in Anuradhapura, marking a significant step toward strengthening women’s economic empowerment and inclusive entrepreneurship.

The Business Service Centre was launched by UN Women and Chrysalis, joined by Anuradhapura District MP Nimal Palihena.

This BSC simplifies business support for rural women- and youth-led micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) by connecting them to government approvals, technical services, and market access—offering centralized help with registration, product and skills development, and real-time market information.

Housed within the Anuradhapura District Secretariat, the BSC will connect local businesses to a wide range of service providers, including universities, banks, regulatory bodies, and business chambers, and offer tailored support to MSMEs. The BSC will also facilitate innovation and technology, including an e-business registration process aimed at reducing bureaucratic delays. The BSC is part of an initiative approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in 2020, which continues to be supported and sustained by the Government. 

Highlighting the importance of the Centre’s streamlined model, MP Nimal Palihena said: “This centre has a ‘one step’ approach, which is that just by coming here, one will be able to get multiple tasks from different institutions completed under one roof. This will strengthen efficiency by saving time and cost (…) The special target group of this Business Service Centre is entrepreneurs, the backbone of the country, who make significant contributions to the national GDP.”

The Republic of Korea, a long-standing partner of UN Women and Chrysalis on women’s economic empowerment, supported the establishment of the BSC, through infrastructure, equipment, and training for government staff. In a statement shared, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka, Miyon Lee noted: “Empowering women through entrepreneurship is one of the most effective ways to drive sustainable development and foster national peace and progress. The BSC in Anuradhapura is an important investment in accelerating women’s economic participation – recognizing that inclusive economic growth, driven by women’s leadership and enterprise, is essential to building a more stable and equitable society.”

The Government Agent for Anuradhapura, Ranjith Wimalasooriya, highlighted plans for the Centre’s long-term sustainability, stating: “The District Secretariat will provide human resources by assigning a full-time duty officer to the centre while exploring partnerships with various private sector stakeholders, including through the District Chamber of Commerce, to maintain the centre.”

The MSME sector, which the BSC is designed to support, contributes 52% of Sri Lanka’s GDP and employs over 2.25 million people. Although women’s labour force participation in Sri Lanka has historically remained low, a growing number of micro and small enterprises are being owned and led by women, and the MSME sector plays a vital role in advancing women’s economic empowerment.

“The first BSC was launched in Monaragala in 2020, and the opening of the Anuradhapura centre builds on our efforts to make support to enterprises more accessible.  These centres reflect our collective commitment to ending barriers that have historically limited women’s access to resources and services at the local level, as we work to create a more inclusive and enabling environment for women’s economic participation,” stated Ashika Gunasena, CEO of Chrysalis.

Ramaaya Salgado, Head of Office at UN Women Sri Lanka, highlighted the broader development impact of the initiative for women: “Too often, women face greater challenges in owning and growing their businesses due to barriers in society and institutions, and limited access to support. These centres aim to change that by simplifying formalisation, expanding access to services, and creating pathways to growth. When women are empowered to lead in business, entire communities benefit. This is not just about enterprise; it’s about building an inclusive economy equally shaped by and for women.”

Backed by strong government support and local involvement, the BSC initiative offers a practical way to strengthen Sri Lanka’s MSME sector and build a more inclusive, resilient economy for everyone, including women. (Newswire)

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One person has sustained serious injuries in a shooting reported in the Galkulama area in Anuradhapura on Wednesday. 

The Police said the victim is a 29-year-old father of two and a resident of Siyambalagaswewa. 

It is reported that the victim had run towards a petrol shed after being shot and had collapsed, after which he had been admitted to the Anuradhapura Hospital. 

The victim is reportedly in a critical condition.

The cause of the shooting is yet to be ascertained, while the suspects are also yet to be identified. 

The Police have launched investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) officials have been deployed to Anuradhapura for special duties during the Poson Poya festival period.

According to the CAA, special raids, investigations, and awareness programs will be launched covering the Anuradhapura and Mihintale areas during this period. 

The CAA states that the measures are being taken to protect devotees visiting Anuradhapura during the Poson season from unfair market practices.

Since last Friday (06 June), over 37 raids have been conducted, and awareness programs have also been carried out to educate traders on fair trading practices, the CAA said.

The CAA further states that special teams have been deployed for these operations, and officers are on standby to provide immediate intervention for any complaints regarding unfair treatment in the markets. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka temporarily designated the Air Force base in Anuradhapura as an international airport on Sunday to facilitate Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s departure from the country.

The Civil Aviation Authority said the move was formalized through a gazette notification issued on Friday, granting one-day international airport status to the military airfield.

Modi and his core security team departed from Anuradhapura to Rameswaram in southern India under the special clearance. Immigration and emigration officials were deployed to process the departure.

Under Sri Lankan aviation regulations, aircraft cannot depart to foreign destinations from domestic airports unless those airports are officially designated as international through a government-issued gazette notification. (Newswire)

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Visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was ceremoniously welcomed upon his arrival in the sacred city of Anuradhapura this morning.

He was welcomed by the Governor of the North Central Province, Wasantha Jinadasa, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, and the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha.

Following his arrival, the Indian Prime Minister paid homage to the historic Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple in Anuradhapura.

Thereafter, Indian PM Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the Maho – Anuradhapura railway signal systems and the newly upgraded Maho – Omanthai railway line. 

Indian PM Narendra Modi is currently on a state visit to Sri Lanka on an invitation extended by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. (Newswire)

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Police have issued a warning to media outlets for violating ethical guidelines in reporting the recent sexual assault incident at Anuradhapura Hospital.

Issuing a statement, Sri Lanka Police said several violations had been observed, including breaches of the victim’s privacy.

They stressed that excerpts from the victim’s statement, included in the “B” report used for legal proceedings, had been quoted in media reports, causing distress and disrespect to the victim.

“It is not the first instance where certain media outlets have engaged in such practices, including publishing the suspect’s photographs. These actions obstruct legal proceedings,” the statement said.

Police further noted that under Act No. 10 of 2023, disclosing information about victims or witnesses in an ongoing investigation without proper authorisation is a punishable offences.

Additionally, Section 355 of the Penal Code (Amended Act No. 22 of 1995) strictly prohibits revealing the identity of victims in cases of sexual harassment, exploitation, or abuse—offences that include trafficking, unlawful sexual exploitation, physical assault on women, incest, criminal intimidation, and violence between individuals.

Sri Lanka Police urged all media organizations to verify information with official sources before publication to avoid legal repercussions. (Newswire)

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The Anuradhapura Police have helped locate and return the luggage of a foreign tourist that had been misplaced on a private bus.

The Police said the tourist had filed a complaint with the Anuradhapura Police Tourist Unit claiming to have forgotten to unload his luggage from a bus on Friday (14 Mar).

The tourist, travelling from Colombo-Fort to Anuradhapura, is said to have misplaced his luggage after forgetting to unload it while getting off at Anuradhapura Town. 

The Anuradhapura Police had conducted inquiries at the Fort Bus Depot during which it was found that the lost luggage was on a bus travelling to Vavuniya.

Officials from the Police Tourist Unit had collected the luggage and returned it to the tourist on Saturday (15 Mar). (Newswire)

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The Anuradhapura to Thanthirimale road has been blocked at Oyamaduwa by a group of people protesting for a solution to the problem of wild elephants entering villages.

The protesters claim that a herd of elephants had been relocated to the area after which there was severe damage to crops. 

The area residents launched a protest at 07.00 am today, blocking the road and displaying placards and various crops that had been destroyed by the elephants. 

It is reported that Police efforts to disperse the protest were futile. (Newswire)

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