The Chairman of the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha, Kasun Munasinghe, who was remanded on charges of obstructing the duties of the Secretary of the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha, has been granted bail. 

The Matugama Magistrate’s Court ordered the Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) member to be released on two surety bonds of Rs. 500,000 each. 

He was arrested last week after the local council Secretary had filed a complaint with the Matugama Police, claiming that he had forcefully occupied her office and had interfered with her official work.

Based on the complaint, the Chairman was taken into custody on January 02 after providing a statement to the Matugama Police, and was later remanded. (Newswire)

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The Chairman of the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha, Kasun Munasinghe, a member of the Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has been arrested by the Matugama Police.

According to the Police, he was arrested on charges of obstructing the duties of the Secretary of the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha.

The local council Secretary had filed a complaint with the Matugama Police, stating that when she reported for duty this morning (02 Jan), the Chairman had forcefully occupied her office and had interfered with her official work.

Based on the complaint, the Chairman was taken into custody this afternoon after providing a statement to the Matugama Police.

The Police said the arrested Chairman will be produced before the Matugama Magistrate’s Court. (Newswire)

“Is this Sri Lanka Police or NPP Police?” SJB MP Jagath Withana questions as he arrived at the Matugama Police Station in support of the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Kasun Munasinghe. According to Matugama Police, Munasinghe was arrested on charges of obstructing the duties… pic.twitter.com/gFkymPzsrs

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) January 2, 2026

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The National People’s Power (NPP) today secured control of the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha, ending a six-month administrative deadlock that followed the May Local Government election.

Although the NPP emerged as the largest group with 23 seats, it fell short of an outright majority, while the remaining 24 seats were divided among opposition parties and independent groups.

Two earlier attempts to elect a Chairman, on June 17 and July 15, were postponed due to procedural disputes.

The council reconvened this morning to decide whether the vote for Chairman should be held by open or secret ballot. The 23 NPP members and one member of the Sarvajana Balaya supported a secret ballot.

However, the remaining 23 opposition members walked out of the chamber.

The election went ahead with the remaining members, and NPP councillor P. K. Premarathna was elected Chairman with 23 votes. The Sarvajana Balaya member who backed the secret ballot abstained from voting.

Following the vote, Sarvajana Balaya Leader Dilith Jayaweera accused the NPP-led Government of “buying” the opposition member to secure control of the council, an allegation the NPP has not responded to so far.

With today’s outcome, the NPP officially takes charge of the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha more than six months after the LG poll. (Newswire)

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The Chairman of the Kuchchaveli Pradeshiya Sabha, Ainiya Pillai Mubarak (50), and his private driver, M. M. Irshad (34), have been arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 500,000 to issue a land permit.

The arrests were made in the Iqbal Nagar area in Kuchchaveli following a complaint lodged by a woman resident of Mullaitivu.

According to the Bribery Commission, the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman had earlier accepted Rs. 160,000 from the complainant for a permit covering 20 perches of land and later demanded an additional Rs. 500,000 to issue a permit for the remaining portion.

The suspects were taken into custody while accepting the latter amount and have since been handed over to the Nilaveli Police for further questioning.

They are expected to be produced before the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court later today.

Officials said the arrested chairman represents the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), which jointly controls the Kuchchaveli Pradeshiya Sabha along with the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) following the last local government election. (Newswire)

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Former Chairman of the Galenbindunuwewa Pradeshiya Sabha, Samantha Namal Wijeratne, has been arrested by the Assets Investigation Division of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

He was taken into custody over a complaint related to unexplained assets allegedly accumulated during his tenure as Chairman from 2011 to 2016.

Investigators said Wijeratne had been informed to appear before the Commission to record a statement regarding the inquiry but had failed to do so.

Accordingly, he was arrested under Sections 126 and 127(1)(u) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023 for non-cooperation with an ongoing investigation.

The suspect was produced before the Kahatagahdigiliya Magistrate’s Court today (24) and was ordered to be remanded until October 31. (Newswire)

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Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala informed Parliament today that the Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, Lasantha Wickramasekara, who was shot dead today, was involved with the underworld. 

Wijepala assured that there is no threat to national security, despite shooting incidents in the recent past, including the murder of Wickramasekara.

There is an evident clash between organized crime groups in the country who are also in possession of weapons, the Public Security Minister said, adding that today’s shooting was also one such incident. 

He further said that despite Lasantha Wickramasekara being elected as a public representative, he was an underworld figure with six court cases against him. 

“02 cases have been filed at the Matara High Court, 02 cases at the Kurunegala High Court, and 02 at the Galle High Court. He is someone under a suspended prison sentence. He is linked to underworld activities,” the minister said. 

Minister Wijepala further revealed that investigations into the underworld figures recently arrested in Indonesia have found that Lasantha Wickramasekara was in possession of several weapons. 

Minister Ananda Wijepala emphasized that even though he is a politician and public representative elected via the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), he is an underworld figure. 

The Minister, however, said that the government does not approve of the death of a criminal, as the government is one that recgonizes the value of human life. 

The Minister of Public Security said that a comprehensive investigation is underway into the shooting incident. 

Watch: https://www.facebook.com/reel/791678930451087 (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police says a pistol-type firearm is suspected to have been used in the shooting that targeted the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman today. 

According to the Police, the gunman, who had entered the local council, had shot the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman while inside the chamber.

The Police further said that the suspects had fled the area soon after the shooting incident this morning.

The victim, a 38-year-old resident of Midigama, had succumbed to injuries after being admitted to the Matara Hospital. 

The Weligama Police have launched investigations to apprehend the suspects wanted over the shooting. (Newswire)

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) member and Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, Lasantha Wickramasekara, who was injured in a shooting incident in Weligama today, has succumbed to injuries. 

According to the Police, two unidentified individuals who arrived on a motorcycle had opened fire at Wickramasekara while he was inside the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chamber.

Soon after, Lasantha Wickramasekara was rushed to the Matara Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries. 

Investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the suspects involved in the incident. (Newswire)

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) member and Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, Lasantha Wickramasekara, has been injured in a shooting incident in Weligama.

According to police reports, two unidentified individuals who arrived on a motorcycle had opened fire at Wickramasekara earlier today.

It is reported that he was shot while inside the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chamber.

Soon after, Lasantha Wickramasekara was rushed to the hospital and is currently receiving treatment for his injuries.

Investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the suspects involved in the incident. (Newswire)

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Police say a financial transaction with another individual may have led to the suicide of the opposition leader of the Yatinuwara Pradeshiya Sabha and the deaths of two members of his family.

According to Ada Derana, preliminary inquiries by the Police have found a four-page letter indicating that a financial transaction may have been the cause of the deaths. 

The bodies of the opposition leader of the Yatinuwara Pradeshiya Sabha, his wife and daughter were discovered at the councillor’s two-storey house in Yahalatenna, Yatinuwara, based on information received via the police emergency hotline.

The councillor’s body was found in a temporarily constructed area at the back of the house, while the bodies of his wife and daughter were discovered in bedrooms on the upper and lower floors by the police.

However, the exact cause of death for the wife and daughter has yet to be revealed. Police suspect that the councillor may have administered sleeping pills to them before strangling them.

The councillor’s younger daughter, aged 12, who had returned home around midnight after a school tour, had disclosed to the police that her father had given her some form of medication.

Revealing that she awoke sensing someone strangling her and saw her father holding a wire, she said that he grabbed her, but then left, saying he was going to the bathroom. Moments later, she heard noises and discovered her father had died by suicide.

Further investigations led to the discovery of a four-page letter allegedly written by the late Councillor accusing another individual of having threatened him to sell his house. 

A judicial inquiry into the deaths was conducted by the Chief Magistrate of Kandy. Subsequently, the bodies were taken to Peradeniya Hospital for post-mortem examinations. The Peradeniya police are continuing further investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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The Opposition Leader (SJB) of the Yatinuwara Pradeshiya Sabha, his wife, and daughter have been found dead inside their residence in Yahalatenna, police said.

According to police, the 52-year-old local politician is believed to have taken his own life by hanging, while the bodies of his 44-year-old wife and 17-year-old daughter were discovered inside the bedrooms of the same house.

Peradeniya Police have launched further investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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A suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting incident targeting the residence of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha councillor Tharaka Nanayakkara, representing the National People’s Power (NPP), in July.

According to the Police, the 33-year-old resident of Kelaniya was arrested in the Matara area yesterday.

The Matara Division Police had also seized a car from the suspect’s possession. 

Two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle carried out the shooting attack before fleeing on 16th July.

The incident occurred against the backdrop of heightened political tensions surrounding the election of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha chairman. 

The vote was postponed last month following the alleged abduction of two NPP councillors on the inaugural session of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha. (Newswire)

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Former United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) member of the Weligepola Pradeshiya Sabha, Kodithuwakku Arachchilage Wasantha, alias Alibaby, has been sentenced to death.

The order was issued by Embilipitiya High Court Judge Buddhika S. Ragala.

Wasantha was convicted after being found guilty of abducting and murdering a person in the Hatangala area of Weligepola in 2012. (Newswire)

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The election to appoint a Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha, scheduled to take place today (15), was postponed for a second time without a set date by Western Province Commissioner Sarangika Jayasundara.

The postponement was due to the lack of a required quorum in the council necessary to conduct the vote.

A previous attempt on June 17 had also failed for the same reason, resulting in rescheduling the vote to today.

Accordingly, the second vote to elect the Chairman and Vice-Chairman began at 9:30 am at the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha.

During the proceedings, a discussion arose over whether the election should be conducted as a secret ballot or an open vote. One party proposed an open vote, while another suggested a secret ballot.

As two proposals were submitted, the election was conducted by secret ballot. The vote to appoint a Chairman was held first. Out of the votes cast, 23 were in favour of an open ballot, while 24 supported a secret ballot.

At that point, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) members stated that they would walk out of the council in protest of the decision to proceed with a secret ballot, citing the presence of council members as a justification for an open vote.

Following the walkout, the number of remaining members fell short of the quorum required. Consequently, the Commissioner postponed the council for 10 minutes.

After reconvening, the council still lacked the necessary quorum to proceed with the vote, leading the Commissioner to indefinitely postpone the election once again. (Newswire)

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The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has established power in the Mawathagama Pradeshiya Sabha.

SJB candidate Thushara Wijesekera was elected Chairman after securing a majority of votes in the election held during the inaugural session of the local council today.

The SJB had secured a majority of seats at the Mawathagama Pradeshiya Sabha in the 2025 Local Government Election. (Newswire)

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The Court of Appeal has dismissed without a hearing the petition that was filed over the dispute on the selection process for key leadership roles in the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha.

During the inaugural session of the local council, 24 council members had submitted a written request advocating for an open vote to appoint the Chairman and Vice Chairman.

However, the Western Provincial Commissioner, Sarangika Jayasundara, had disregarded the appeal and proceeded with a secret ballot on June 17.

Opposing parties, including members from Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), staged a walkout in protest, asserting that the Commissioner’s decision undermined the democratic process and public trust.

Following the walkout, as there was no quorum, the session was postponed, with the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha not electing a Chairman and Vice Chairman. 

Thereafter, a petition challenging the Western Provincial Commissioner’s move was filed at the Court of Appeal, with the petitioners requesting an interim order preventing the implementation of the secret ballot and compelling an open voting procedure instead. 

However, during proceedings today, the Court of Appeal has dismissed the petition without a hearing. (Newswire)

Note: The headline of this story has been updated to correct a misleading impression conveyed in the original version.

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The opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has established power in the Deraniyagala Pradeshiya Sabha. 

SJB candidate Indika Prasad Ranasinghe was elected Chairman of the Deraniyagala Pradeshiya Sabha in the election held during the inaugural session of the local council today.

The SJB had secured a majority of seats in the Deraniyagala Pradeshiya Sabha during the 2025 Local Government Election. (Newswire)

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The Court of Appeal has set July 07 as the date for a hearing of the petition filed over the dispute on the selection process for key leadership roles in the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha.

During the inaugural session of the local council, 24 council members had submitted a written request advocating for an open vote to appoint the Chairman and Vice Chairman.

However, the Western Provincial Commissioner, Sarangika Jayasundara, had disregarded the appeal and proceeded with a secret ballot on June 17.

Opposing parties, including members from Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), staged a walkout in protest, asserting that the Commissioner’s decision undermined the democratic process and public trust.

Following the walkout, as there was no quorum, the session was postponed, with the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha yet to elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman. 

A petition challenging the Western Provincial Commissioner’s move was filed at the Court of Appeal, which has set July 7 as the date for a hearing on the matter. 

Appearing on behalf of the petitioners, President’s Counsel Ali Sabry requested an interim order preventing the implementation of the secret ballot and compelling an open voting procedure instead.

Sabry argued that council members are elected to represent the will of the people and that the Commissioner’s actions conflict with public expectations and governance transparency. He further emphasized that the Commissioner, as a state official, is obligated to honour the majority request of council members.

The judiciary, led by Justices Rohantha Abeysuriya and K. Priyantha Fernando, acknowledged the submissions, fixing the hearing for next week, while the next council meeting is scheduled for July 5. (Newswire)

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The opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has established power in the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha. 

SJB candidate Kasun Munasinghe was elected Chairman of the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha.

He was elected after securing a majority of votes during the election held during the council’s inaugural session today.

The SJB had secured a majority of seats at the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha in the 2025 Local Government Elections. (Newswire)

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A tense situation has been reported at the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha after it was reported that two National People’s Power (NPP) members who were on their way to the council today (27 June) had been abducted.

It is reported that the two NPP members had, reportedly, been abducted while on their way to the election to appoint the Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha. 

As a result, a situation has arisen preventing the council from holding its session.

According to reports, it has been proposed to resume the proceedings of the House only upon the return of the two abducted NPP members. (Newswire)

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