Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam has been arrested by the Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) over comments he made regarding an alleged attempt to assassinate the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Kariyawasam had been summoned to appear before the CCIB at 10.30 am on Monday (10) in connection with the remarks.

He had earlier said that his comments concerning the IGP had been misinterpreted.

Kariyawasam was arrested following his appearance before the CCIB. (Newswire)

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The Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court has granted permission for further investigations after the Colombo Central Crime Investigation Bureau reported on a statement made by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam concerning an alleged plot to assassinate the Inspector General of Police (IGP). 

The Bureau informed court of the statement during proceedings, following which the Magistrate authorized investigators to continue their inquiries into the matter. 

The investigation follows concerns raised over remarks made by Kariyawasam regarding an alleged threat to the IGP, which authorities have described as serious and warranting further investigation. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam today raised serious concerns over the death of Kapila Chandrasena, questioning whether it was a suicide, murder, or a case of being forced to take his own life.

Addressing the media, Kariyawasam claimed that Chandrasena had recently become a controversial figure after allegedly providing an affidavit to court detailing threats made against him.

According to Kariyawasam, the affidavit stated that Chandrasena had been taken to the office of the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), where he was allegedly threatened by the Director General, Ranga Dissanayake.

Kariyawasam alleged that Chandrasena had claimed he was warned to comply with certain demands or face a similar fate to another individual connected to a case involving former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

The SLPP General Secretary further claimed that Chandrasena’s affidavit had revealed attempts to implicate former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and MP Namal Rajapaksa in legal proceedings through him.

Kariyawasam also questioned how Chandrasena, who had reportedly been in remand custody, had managed to secure two bail guarantors. He called for an immediate investigation into who introduced the guarantors and whether any prison officials or CIABOC officials were involved.

He urged the courts to examine CCTV footage and conduct a full inquiry into the process through which the guarantors were provided.

Kariyawasam claimed there was growing public suspicion surrounding the incident and said the circumstances of Chandrasena’s death could not be dismissed as a simple suicide.

He further alleged that several recent incidents involving complainants and suspects had raised serious concerns regarding the rule of law and the protection of suspects’ rights in the country.

Kariyawasam called for an independent investigation and urged authorities to reveal the truth to the public, stressing that Sri Lanka is a democratic country where even suspects are entitled to legal protections and rights. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam has claimed that MP Namal Rajapaksa’s life is under threat.  

Speaking at a press briefing, Kariyawasam highlighted a recent remark made by a National People’s Power (NPP) MP, who allegedly stated that the government would send Namal Rajapaksa to “වලට” (to the pit). 

Expressing serious concerns over the statement, the SLPP General Secretary said this indicates a threat to Rajapaksa’s safety.  

Kariyawasam further alleged that the government was conspiring to harm Namal Rajapaksa as he was gaining increasing public support. 

He warned that such actions could have severe consequences and urged authorities to ensure Rajapaksa’s security. (Newswire)

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Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam must be removed from his position, as it is evident that his actions were negatively impacting the party.

Speaking to reporters, Minister Wijesekera said the SLPP’s decision to field its own candidate for the Presidential Election was not the view of Party Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“The decision taken by the party was not the decision of Party Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa which was conveyed to us during a previous meeting. It is evident that the decision announced by the SLPP was the proposal of former Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga. It is evident that decisions are now being taken without even being discussed with the party leader,” he said. 

Stating that now doubts have arisen whether the SLPP General Secretary was working on the orders of the party leader or another group, led by Udayanga Weeratunga, Minister Wijesekera said it has been decided to propose the removal of Sagara Kariyawasam from the post of General Secretary.

He further said that it will be proposed to the SLPP to remove Sagara Kariyawasam and appoint Health Minister Ramesh Pathirane as the General Secretary, to prevent the party from being further destroyed.

The minister made the remarks while speaking to the media after attending a meeting of the SLPP’s Matara District Committee yesterday, during which it was decided to extend their support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the upcoming Presidential Elections. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has expressed displeasure over the mini Cabinet reshuffle that took place today, especially the removal of Keheliya Rambukwella as the Minister of Health.

Keheliya Rambukwella was appointed as the Minister of Environment, while Dr. Ramesh Pathirana replaced him as the new Minister of Health.

Commenting on the Cabinet reshuffle, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said that the changing of ministerial portfolios was a ‘wrong decision’ by the President, especially that of Keheliya Rambukwella. 

“Several allegations were raised against Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. But all those allegations were proven false. Maybe the President was of the opinion that it would be best to make a change under the current circumstances,” he told the media today. 

Kariyawasam said, however, that the SLPP has informed the President of its disappointment in the appointment of a Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) member as Health Minister.

“It is regrettable that such an appointment has been made as the President was able to form a government only through the support of a majority of SLPP members. Only five SLFP members have given their support to the President so far,” he said.

Kariyawasam said removing an SLPP MP and providing opportunities to two SLFP MPs was a wrong decision by the President. 

Emphasizing that the SLPP is unafraid to call out the President on his ‘wrong decisions’, Kariyawasam said the party has expressed strong displeasure over his decisions with regard to the Cabinet reshuffle. (NewsWire)

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The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) expects President Ranil Wickremesinghe to appoint a new Cabinet of Ministers with the inclusion of some real SLPP MPs, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam stated. 

According to The Morning, his comment comes after it was recently revealed that SLPP National Organizer Basil Rajapaksa had made a request from the President to provide more ministerial posts to SLPP MPs.

Upon being inquired about the request, Sagara Kariyawasam said that such a request was made following the appointment of Ranil Wickremesinghe as the President.

“We made a request to appoint a new Cabinet of Ministers following the President’s appointment. However, he has decided to go ahead with the Cabinet that was appointed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. This does not mean our request is invalid,” he explained. 

Sagara Kariyawasam further said that the President has his own reasonings to continue with the current Cabinet, adding that the SLPP understands that there was a serious destabilisation in the country and it cannot go through another wave of protests.

“Even though our genuine request for a new Cabinet has not been fulfilled yet, we understand the current situation and the reasoning behind the President’s decisions,” he added. (NewsWire)

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