The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (12 June) that investigations are continuing into the murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa and that Osmond Gunasekara, also known as “Gampaha Osmond”, who was arrested in connection with the incident, remains in custody under detention orders.

The case relating to the murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa was taken up today before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

During the proceedings, officers of the Colombo Crimes Division informed the court that Osmond Gunasekara is being detained under ongoing detention orders while further investigations are carried out.

Police stated that, upon obtaining a search warrant and inspecting Gunasekara’s residence and property, several documents were recovered. Among them was an Interpol Red Notice relating to an individual known as Kehelbaddara Padme.

Police further informed the court that another document containing details of Ganemulla Sanjeewa’s previous and pending court cases, together with information on persons associated with him and various telephone numbers, had also been discovered. They argued that these documents indicated that the suspect had been closely monitoring Ganemulla Sanjeewa’s activities.

The police also stated that an unregistered motorcycle and a firearm were found on the suspect’s property and that details of these discoveries had been reported to the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court.

In addition, police informed the court that detention orders had been obtained to hold and question Ishara Sewwandi, a female suspect in the case, for a further 30 days.

Meanwhile, Counsel Asith Siriwardena, appearing on behalf of Osmond Gunasekara, told the court that he had been denied access when he attempted to meet his client while he was being held by the Colombo Crimes Division.

However, CCD officers rejected that allegation.

The Magistrate subsequently directed that notice be issued requiring the Director of the Colombo Crimes Division to appear before the court and provide an explanation at the next hearing regarding the matter.

The Magistrate then ordered that the case be called again on 26 June.

The Colombo District Dengue Control Committee has decided to implement a special Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 June in an effort to control the disease, as Colombo District is currently facing a severe risk of dengue transmission.

This decision was taken at a meeting of the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee held today (12 June) at the Colombo District Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya.

It was also revealed that the number of dengue cases reported this year has increased significantly compared with last year. According to reports from the National Dengue Control Unit, approximately 39,100 dengue cases have been reported island-wide to date.

Of that total, 25.8% of cases have been reported from Colombo District.

Accordingly, Colombo District has been designated a “high-risk” district.

It was further disclosed that, in addition to the characteristics of the virus itself, the lack of sufficient time for the public to develop adequate immunity against it has contributed to the increased spread of the disease.

Health authorities have also pointed out that dengue transmission has intensified once again following the period of heavy rainfall experienced in recent months.

It has been identified that the current outbreak is being reported more frequently from public places such as government institutions, private-sector establishments, schools, and places of worship than from residential premises.

Observations have found that improperly managed solid waste and drainage systems in offices and public places have become major breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

During Dengue Prevention Week, a number of measures will be implemented, including the organisation of community clean-up campaigns in government and private institutions, schools, homes, and surrounding environments; inspections of high-risk households by Divisional Secretariat offices, followed by legal action where necessary after awareness programmes; distribution of leaflets; display of banners; and public awareness campaigns through the media.

Health authorities have also requested school administrations not to involve students below Grade 10 in school clean-up programmes and to immediately notify the relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office if a student contracts the disease.

Special support is expected for this programme from the district’s political leadership, interfaith religious leaders, government officials, local government authorities, the armed forces, the police, and the general public.

Those attending the meeting included the Chair of the District Coordination Committee, Members of Parliament, public representatives of local government authorities, secretaries, police officers, and officials representing the education and health sectors.

A three-judge bench of the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar has scheduled its verdict for 31 July in the case against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara, who faces charges of failing to act on intelligence warnings ahead of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

The case was taken up today (June 12) before Justices Priyantha Liyanage, Viraj Weerasuriya and Thilakarathna Bandara.

The bench confirmed that oral and written submissions from all parties have now been concluded and announced that the verdict in the case will be delivered on July 31, 2026.
Meanwhile, a case filed against former secretary to the ministry of defence, Hemasiri Fernando over the same allegations was also taken up today.

Additional Solicitor General Sudarshana de Silva appeared for the prosecution, while defence counsel Chaminda Athukorala presented arguments on behalf of Fernando.

The court ordered that continuation of the defence submissions be postponed until June 15.