&nbsp;<ul><li>No official statement on lawyer’s legal representation: Police</li><li>NPP lawyers urge swift justice, warn threat extends beyond legal fraternity</li></ul> The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has decided that its members will not appear before courts island-wide today (16) in protest over the fatal shooting of a lawyer and his wife in Akuregoda.The decision was taken at a special general meeting convened in Colombo yesterday (15), where members deliberated on the implications of the attack. BASL President, Attorney Rajeev Amarasuriya said the move reflects the collective stance of the legal community in response to what they described as a grave attack on one of their own.Approximately 3,500 lawyers attended the meeting at the BASL headquarters in Hulftsdorp, with several others joining via Zoom. This marks the first time in 14 years that all members of the Association convened for a collective meeting in Colombo.Attempts made by The Daily Morning to contact the BASL for further information proved futile.Meanwhile, addressing a special media briefing yesterday, Western Province Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) Sajeewa Medawatte said four suspects have been identified so far in connection with the double murder. He said a total of 12 investigation teams have been assigned to the case, which is being closely monitored by senior officers.The shooting occurred around 5:00 p.m. on 13 February at a car park of a supermarket near the military headquarters in Thalangama, Akuregoda, approximately one kilometre from the base. Two unidentified gunmen who arrived in a car opened fire using a pistol and a Type-56 assault rifle before fleeing the scene. The victims were identified as attorney-at-law Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his wife, W.A. Nisansala.According to police, the vehicle believed to have been used by the assailants was later involved in an accident in Kottawa and found abandoned in Galle. Medawatte said the vehicle was reportedly set on fire. “Although media reports have circulated widely, we can only confirm these details after the forensic report is received. Until then, we cannot say with 100% certainty that it is the same vehicle,” he said.He further revealed the number plate suspected to have fallen from the getaway vehicle on its way towards Galle had been recovered, but clarified that it was a fake plate. CCTV footage up to Horana has been examined so far, though investigators have not confirmed whether the vehicle entered the highway. Tracing of CCTV footage is continuing.Medawatte stressed the two gunmen were not the only individuals involved and that several others are believed to be connected to the crime. “We have gathered credible information on four suspects so far. Additional details were obtained just prior to this briefing, and we believe the case could be resolved within a day or two,” he said.Responding to media queries on whether the murdered attorney had represented any underworld figure, Medawatte said police have not officially issued any statement regarding whom the lawyer represented. Despite reports suggesting possible links, he cautioned that such information may or may not be accurate and that investigations are focused primarily on identifying and apprehending the suspects. The lawyers of the National People’s Power (NPP) also issued a statement condemning the killings.In their statement, NPP lawyers said they were deeply saddened by the death of Mallawarachchi and his wife, describing the attack as cruel and inhuman. They said the murder targeted not only a lawyer and his spouse but also the broader citizenry.The statement added the incident underscored the urgency for the current Government to end the era in which armed criminals operate with impunity. The NPP lawyers warned that such violence could threaten journalists, police officers, judges, and lawyers.They urged the Government to ensure the safety and dignity of all citizens and called on the Police to promptly complete the investigation and bring those responsible to justice.Meanwhile, the bodies of the slain lawyer and his wife have been brought to their family home in Pitigala. Earlier yesterday (15), the remains were placed at a private parlour in Borella to allow relatives and members of the public to pay their last respects before being transported to their residence.Police stated that necessary measures have been taken to prevent the suspects from fleeing the country as investigations continue.

Double Murder in Akuregoda: BASL to boycott all courts today

In the wake of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) proposing a tariff increase of 13.56% for the second quarter of 2026, the Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) stated that most of the expenditure cited in the proposal is not directly relevant to consumers and therefore does not justify a price hike.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (15), ECA General Secretary, Sanjeewa Dhammika said that a closer examination of the proposal shows that a significant portion of the listed expenditure does not relate to costs that should be passed on to consumers. “In this proposal, most of what has been included as expenses are not relevant to consumers. Even voluntary retirement scheme-related payments have been counted. There is no genuine need for a tariff increase. What we are saying is that there should be some relief to consumers instead.”He urged the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) not to approve the proposed increase, maintaining that consumers should not be made to shoulder financial burdens arising from poor planning and mismanagement within the CEB. “They always try to exploit consumers. Substandard coal imports are the latest example. Now they are apparently trying to recover the losses due to that by placing the burden on consumers. They always spend money without any proper plan, and finally consumers have to pay for all that.” The CEB has estimated a deficit of Rs. 15,847 million for the period from April to June 2026 and has submitted a Board-approved tariff revision proposal to the PUCSL, seeking a 13.56% increase of tariffs. The utility stated the increase is necessary to ensure financial and operational stability and to mitigate potential risks to the reliability of electricity supply. It has also noted that any excess or shortfall in estimates would be adjusted through the Bulk Supply Transaction Account (BSTA) and considered at the next tariff revision.The latest proposal comes after the CEB had earlier sought an 11.57% tariff increase for the first quarter of 2026 under the quarterly tariff revision mechanism. That proposal, however, was not approved by the PUCSL. The Commission stated at the time that a proper tariff revision proposal had not been submitted within the stipulated timeframe and therefore decided not to implement a revision. It subsequently informed the CEB to submit its proposal for the second quarter of 2026 before 13 February.

Electricity Tariffs: Consumers urge PUCSL not to approve the hike 

<ul><li>Four divisions assigned to review socio-economic and environmental impacts following ban</li></ul> The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) will begin today to review the two studies it conducted on the use of tractor-mounted winches for Ma-del (beach seine) fishing, in order to assess the recent impact following the ban, NARA Deputy Director General (DDG) - Research and Development, Dr. K.H.M.L. Amaralal said.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (15), he said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had instructed NARA to revisit the studies carried out in 2015 and 2020. "Four NARA divisions will be assigned to undertake the review. Both reports have already been submitted to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Development," he noted.The DDG said the review would examine the latest socio-economic impacts as well as the effects on fish biomass. A detailed reassessment will be conducted to identify feasible solutions to the issue.Fishermen engaged in the mechanised Ma-del fishing method called off their Sathyagraha after meeting President Dissanayake on 13 February.&nbsp;Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Development, Dr. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, told The Daily Morning there was no possibility of approving the mechanised Ma-del method. He noted that bans had already been imposed on light-coarse fishing using artificial lights in Ambalangoda and on trawling in Kalpitiya, and said the mechanised Ma-del method could not be approved either.Dr. Jinadasa added the President had invited five representatives of the protesting fishermen to join the review teams before a final decision is taken. They have been asked to work with all stakeholders, including environmental and wildlife authorities, NARA officials and environmental activists, to assess the impact of the fishing method.

Fisheries: NARA to revisit studies on mechanised Ma-del fishing

The Civil Intelligence Front (CIF) has filed a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), requesting investigations into the assets of several senior officials serving in the Ministry of Health and its affiliated institutions.In a letter addressed to the Director General of CIABOC, CIF Convener Sanjaya Mahawatta has called for an inquiry into the assets of several top officials attached to the Health Ministry, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), and the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC).Those named in the complaint include Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, NMRA Chairperson Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, SPC Chairperson Prof. Manuj Weerasinghe, Health Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Kumara Wickramasinghe, Health Ministry Deputy Director General (DDG) Dr. S. Sridharan, DDG of the Medical Supplies Division Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe, and former NMRA Executive Director Saveen Semage, among several others attached to the institutions.In addition, the CIF has requested that the assets of all DDGs serving in the Health Ministry and its affiliated bodies, as well as pharmacists attached to the NMRA, be investigated and that appropriate action be taken based on the findings of such inquiries.Attempts to contact Dr. Jasinghe to inquire whether the Ministry has any concerns regarding the assets of officials serving in it or its affiliated institutions were unsuccessful.

Health Officials’ Assets: CIF lodges complaint with CIABOC 

The Ministry of Labour has announced plans to consolidate 12 existing labour acts into four, introducing modern provisions for flexible working hours, digitalisation, and women’s employment.Speaking to The Daily Morning, Secretary to the Labour Ministry, S.M. Piyatissa said the current legal landscape, which comprises approximately 50 acts enacted across different time periods, has become a labyrinth of inconsistencies that fails to address contemporary workplace challenges.“These acts have been implemented during different time periods, and even on the same matter there are differences when it comes to certain definitions. Some of these acts are very old. They should be reformed because they do not provide answers to newer conditions. Industries have changed, and the opinions and requirements of the people have also changed," he said.&nbsp;Among the approximately 50 labour-related statutes, he said that the Ministry had identified 14 acts that are most frequently used. "Two acts concerning budgetary relief were incorporated during the recent minimum wage hike. The remaining 12 are to be consolidated into four streamlined pieces of legislation under these reforms."Piyatissa added the proposed labour reforms would centre on modernisation and increased flexibility. "Key areas under consideration include flexible working hours, the digitalisation of labour administration processes, and specific measures aimed at boosting women’s participation in the workforce."However, the Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees Union (FTZ&amp;GSEU) stated recently that trade unions have requested an opportunity to meet the expert committee that was drafting the proposed labour law reforms, but the Ministry of Labour had not facilitated such a discussion.

Labour Law Reforms: Flexible working hours, digitalisation, and women’s employment prioritised 

<ul><li>Opposition Leader says Govt must clarify how such incidents occur despite emergency rule and deployment of tri-forces</li><li>NR says public security has not been guaranteed&nbsp;</li></ul>Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said the Government must explain to the country how “Chicago-style” killings are taking place even in high-security zones at a time when a state of emergency is in force and the tri-forces have been deployed to maintain law and order.Issuing a special statement following the shooting to death of a lawyer and his wife in the Akuregoda area, Premadasa said he was deeply shocked to hear of the murder and described the incident as another warning about what he called the serious and catastrophic situation currently facing the country.He pointed out that one of the main slogans advanced by the present Government in its rise to power was the breakdown of law and order. He recalled statements made on public platforms claiming that the Government was capable of restoring discipline and security, and said those assurances are now being revisited in light of the latest incident.Premadasa added the brutal double murder demonstrates that law and order in the country has collapsed and the Government is unable to ensure public safety. He also said measures taken by the Government to maintain law and order amount to little more than media spectacles. The Government, he said, claims to be combating the underworld, yet attempts to evade responsibility by linking every murder that occurs to the underworld or drug traffickers.He further called on the authorities to immediately conduct a thorough investigation into the murder and bring those responsible to justice. The Government, he said, must also take urgent steps to ensure national security, which he claimed has collapsed even within high-security zones. Furthermore, Premadasa said the Government should immediately clarify the facts to the country regarding the occurrence of such incidents in a high-security zone at a time when emergency regulations are in place and the tri-forces have been called in to maintain law and order.The SLPP National Organiser and Opposition MP, attorney Namal Rajapaksa said that public security cannot be guaranteed when killings take place near the 'residence' of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.&nbsp;“The Ministers claim they have stopped daily shootings. However, they have actually failed in that endeavour. All decisions are made in Pellawatte (a reference to the National People's Power headquarters in Pelawatte), as claimed by the Government representatives. How could one guarantee public security when killings are taking place near there?” he added, referring to the recent killing of a lawyer and his wife in Akuregoda.Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General (Retired), Aruna Jayasekara was not available for comment.&nbsp;

Law and Order: Sajith demands explanation over Chicago-Style killings 

The Government does not appear to be in any hurry to resolve issues affecting doctors and are dismissing ongoing trade union actions as politically motivated, said Assistant Secretary of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), Dr. Hansamal Weerasuriya.&nbsp;Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (15), he said the GMOA is an apolitical trade union that was using various measures short of striking to draw the Government’s attention to its demands. However, he added, the Government has framed these measures politically, resulting in a deadlock as authorities seem intent on showing that no matter what the doctors’ union does, it will not relent.“There seems to be a deadlock with regard to the solutions to our issues,” he said, and noted the GMOA would meet this week to decide on potentially escalating the strike further.The medical officers’ demands include the initiation of a special service category titled the ‘Sri Lanka Medical Service’ for doctors of all categories, revision of the Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance, inclusion of doctors and specialists under Circular 22/99, conversion of the Extra Duty Allowance into a fixed allowance, and resolution of issues related to the research allowance.Efforts to contact Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni and Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe were unsuccessful.

GMOA claims: Government in no hurry to resolve doctors’ issues

The Government’s approval rating reached 65% in early February 2026, remaining statistically stable compared to 2025, according to the latest “Mood of the Nation” survey conducted by Verité Research.With a margin of error of ±3 percentage points, the rating shows no significant shift from the 62% recorded in February 2025. The survey’s disapproval rating also remained low and unchanged, indicating continued public backing for the administration.For the first time in the poll’s four-year history, more Sri Lankans rated current economic conditions as “good” or “excellent” than those who described them as “poor”. Researchers described the shift as a notable turning point in economic sentiment.Perceptions of the country’s economic trajectory also improved. The proportion of respondents who said the economy is “getting better” rose to 64%, up from 55% a year ago. Meanwhile, the share of those who felt the economy was “getting worse” remained largely unchanged.Analysts noted a decline in the number of respondents expressing no opinion, suggesting growing certainty among the public. “More people appear to have formed clearer and more optimistic views about the country’s direction,” Verité Research said.These combined economic sentiments are reflected in the survey’s Economic Confidence Index, which ranges from minus 100 to plus 100. The index registered +36, marking a sharp improvement from +14 recorded a year earlier.Public satisfaction with the overall direction of the country also crossed a symbolic threshold. A majority of respondents, 59%, said they were satisfied with “the way things are going”. This is the first time satisfaction levels have exceeded 50% since the Mood of the Nation polling began four years ago.In comparative assessments, respondents rated the present Government most positively for its perceived success in reducing drugs and crime. The survey indicated that this aspect received stronger approval than even anti-corruption efforts.The Mood of the Nation poll is conducted regularly as part of Verité Research’s Syndicated Surveys initiative, which feeds into its macro-political briefings. The platform also allows other organisations to include questions measuring Sri Lankan public sentiment.The latest survey was carried out by polling partner Vanguard Survey (Pvt) Ltd. It was based on a nationally representative, multi-stage randomised sample of 1,048 Sri Lankan adults from separate households. Fieldwork was conducted between 24 January and 3 February 2026. The survey was designed with a maximum sampling error margin of ±3.0 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, although Verité Research noted that implementation-related factors can influence final margins. Researchers said the findings suggest a consolidation of public support alongside improving economic optimism, even as disapproval levels remain subdued.

Verité Poll: Govt approval holds at 65%

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has written to India’s Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar seeking immediate action to ensure the return of Tamil Nadu fishermen who were released by a Sri Lankan court but continue to remain in custody pending repatriation.In his letter, Stalin referred to proceedings at the Jaffna Court involving 12 fishermen apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy. The cases were heard on 3 February, 2026. Three fishermen from Mandapam had been detained on 28 December, 2025, while nine from Mayiladuthurai were apprehended on 3 January, 2026.Following the trial, the three boat drivers were sentenced to six months’ rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs. 1.1 million each, with an additional three months’ imprisonment in default of payment.The remaining nine fishermen were ordered to be released and transferred to the Mirihana Detention Centre on 5 February, 2026. However, Stalin pointed out that despite the release order, delays in completing repatriation formalities have resulted in them continuing to remain in custody. He emphasised the hardships faced by the detainees and the distress caused to their families, urging that “urgent steps may kindly be taken to expedite the repatriation of the released fishermen at the earliest.”Earlier, on 21 January, Stalin had also written to Jaishankar highlighting 'severe hardship' faced by Tamil Nadu’s coastal fishing communities due to repeated arrests. He noted that 254 fishing boats and 90 fishermen, including those detained in the most recent incident, remain in Sri Lankan custody.Agencies

Double Murder in Akuregoda: BASL to boycott all courts today

Electricity Tariffs: Consumers urge PUCSL not to approve the hike

Electricity Tariffs: Consumers ...

Fisheries: NARA to revisit studies on mechanised Ma-del fishing

Fisheries: NARA to revisit stu ...

Health Officials’ Assets: CIF lodges complaint with CIABOC

Health Officials’ Assets: CIF ...

Labour Law Reforms: Flexible working hours, digitalisation, and women’ ...

Labour Law Reforms: Flexible w ...

Law and Order: Sajith demands explanation over Chicago-Style killings

Law and Order: Sajith demands ...

GMOA claims: Government in no hurry to resolve doctors’ issues

GMOA claims: Government in no ...

Verité Poll: Govt approval holds at 65%

Verité Poll: Govt approval hol ...

Tamil Nadu CM urges swift repatriation of Indian fishermen

Tamil Nadu CM urges swift repa ...

Electricity Tariffs: Consumers urge PUCSL not to approve the hike

Electricity Tariffs: Consumers ...

Fisheries: NARA to revisit studies on mechanised Ma-del fishing

Fisheries: NARA to revisit stu ...

Health Officials’ Assets: CIF lodges complaint with CIABOC

Health Officials’ Assets: CIF ...

Labour Law Reforms: Flexible working hours, digitalisation, and women’ ...

Labour Law Reforms: Flexible w ...

Law and Order: Sajith demands explanation over Chicago-Style killings

Law and Order: Sajith demands ...

GMOA claims: Government in no hurry to resolve doctors’ issues

GMOA claims: Government in no ...

Verité Poll: Govt approval holds at 65%

Verité Poll: Govt approval hol ...

Tamil Nadu CM urges swift repatriation of Indian fishermen

Tamil Nadu CM urges swift repa ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Electricity Tariffs: Consumers urge PUCSL not to approve the hike

Electricity Tariffs: Consumers ...

Fisheries: NARA to revisit studies on mechanised Ma-del fishing

Fisheries: NARA to revisit stu ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Health Officials’ Assets: CIF lodges complaint with CIABOC

Health Officials’ Assets: CIF ...

Labour Law Reforms: Flexible working hours, digitalisation, and women’ ...

Labour Law Reforms: Flexible w ...

Law and Order: Sajith demands explanation over Chicago-Style killings

Law and Order: Sajith demands ...

GMOA claims: Government in no hurry to resolve doctors’ issues

GMOA claims: Government in no ...