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.

The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has issued a breakdown of school days for students sitting for the 2036 G.C.E Advanced Level Exam.

The breakdown from October 10, 2024 – August 07, 2026 states that the students will have lost only 15 days of schooling in the aftermath of the ‘Ditwah’ cyclone disaster and due to Wednesdays briefly being declared as holidays earlier this year.

An accompanying letter by the ministry also urges educational authorities to cover any pending syllabus matter before the G.C.E. Ordinary Level and G.C.E. Advanced Level exams are held this year.

Earlier, Opposition MP Dilith Jayaweera urged the government to reconsider its decision to hold the 2026 G.C.E. Advanced Level examination in August, claiming that students will lose several months of preparation time.

In a statement, Jayaweera said A/L students would typically have around 26 months to complete their syllabus and prepare for the exam, but alleged that the current schedule would effectively reduce that period by six months.

He also noted that the current batch of students had faced disruptions due to the recent adverse weather conditions in the aftermath of Cyclone ‘Ditwah’.