Lanka eNews Editor Sandaruwan Senadheera Arrested at Katunayake After Return to Sri Lanka
Colombo — The arrest of Sandaruwan Senadheera, editor of the controversial online news portal Lanka eNews, has triggered fresh debate about press freedom and political accountability in Sri Lanka.
Senadheera, a British citizen who had lived in exile in the United Kingdom for more than 16 years, was arrested on arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport on Wednesday after Sri Lankan authorities acted on what officials described as an international red warrant notice.
Arrest on Arrival
According to police sources, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department detained Senadheera shortly after he disembarked from his flight in Katunayake.
Following the arrest, he was handed over to Katunayake Police, before being transferred to the Gampaha Police Division for further investigation.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed the full details of the allegations underlying the warrant, though officials confirmed that several historical complaints and investigations linked to the controversial website are being reviewed.
Return After Years of Exile
Senadheera’s arrest comes after more than a decade and a half of self-imposed exile. During the administration of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Lanka eNews office in Colombo was reportedly attacked and burned by unidentified assailants, an incident widely viewed by media organisations as part of a broader campaign against critical journalists.
Following the attack, Senadheera left Sri Lanka and eventually settled in the United Kingdom, where he later obtained British citizenship. His family has been living in Britain for many years, and according to associates he has been working closely with members of the Sri Lankan diaspora, including legal professionals, to continue publishing investigative material through the website.
Sources close to the editor say his decision to travel to Sri Lanka was partly motivated by personal reasons and partly by a desire to reconnect with the country after the dramatic political changes of recent years.
However, those close to him also say the journalist has been facing health issues and had hoped to spend time in Sri Lanka despite concerns about potential legal risks.
A Polarising Media Figure
Over the years, Lanka eNews developed a reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s most outspoken digital investigative platforms.
The website frequently published allegations of corruption and abuse of power during the Rajapaksa administrations, including reporting related to the notorious “white van” abduction scandal, in which journalists, activists and critics were allegedly abducted by unknown groups during the late stages of the civil war and its aftermath.
The portal also ran investigative reports linking senior figures within the former government to high-profile assassinations and attacks on journalists.
Among the most sensitive cases frequently discussed by Lanka eNews was the killing of Lasantha Wickrematunge, who was assassinated in 2009 while serving as editor of the The Sunday Leader.
While official investigations into the murder have continued intermittently over the years, the case remains one of the most prominent unresolved crimes against journalists in South Asia.
Investigations and Controversial Reporting
Lanka eNews also published a series of reports alleging large-scale corruption linked to government procurement and military-related imports.
One widely circulated investigation concerned a controversial vehicle import scheme, where vehicles were allegedly brought into Sri Lanka in parts and welded locally to avoid tax liabilities. The website claimed the scheme involved politically connected figures during the Rajapaksa era.
Supporters of Senadheera say such reporting made him a target for political retaliation.
Critics, however, have long accused the website of publishing politically motivated leaks and unverified allegations.
Political Predictions and the 2024 Election
In recent years the website gained renewed attention after publishing an early political survey predicting that the National People's Power would win the 2024 presidential election with a clear margin.
The forecast later proved remarkably close to the eventual electoral outcome when Anura Kumara Dissanayake secured victory, bringing a historic shift in Sri Lankan politics.
The website also strongly supported the mass protest movement known as Sri Lankan Aragalaya protests, which saw millions of Sri Lankans take to the streets demanding political reform and accountability during the country’s economic crisis.
Criticism of IMF Reforms
Another hallmark of Lanka eNews reporting has been its criticism of the economic restructuring programme negotiated with the International Monetary Fund.
The site argued that the programme risked imposing heavy economic burdens on ordinary Sri Lankans while failing to address systemic corruption and political patronage networks.
These views resonated with segments of the public who remain sceptical about austerity policies introduced as part of the bailout agreement.
Health Concerns and Calls for Release
Associates of Senadheera say the journalist has been experiencing significant health problems in recent months, raising concerns about his wellbeing while in custody.
Human rights advocates and members of the Sri Lankan diaspora have already begun urging the government to ensure his safety and access to legal representation.
Several international media freedom groups are also monitoring the situation closely.
According to activists, the arrest sends a troubling signal at a time when Sri Lanka has been attempting to rebuild its international reputation following years of political turmoil and economic collapse.
Pressure from the International Community
Diplomatic sources say the detention of a British citizen who is also a journalist may attract attention from Western governments and international watchdog organisations.
Calls are growing for the Sri Lankan authorities to clarify the legal basis for the arrest and to ensure that due process is followed.
Some observers argue that the case could become a test of the new administration’s commitment to media freedom and democratic reforms.
Ironically, supporters note that Senadheera has long advocated reforms to Sri Lanka’s policing and investigative institutions — the very system that has now taken him into custody.
A Symbolic Moment
For many in the Sri Lankan media community, the arrest represents a symbolic moment in the country’s long struggle between political power and investigative journalism.
After sixteen years abroad, the return of the Lanka eNews editor to Sri Lanka was expected to mark a personal reconciliation with his homeland.
Instead, it has quickly turned into another chapter in the island nation’s complex and often turbulent relationship with dissenting voices.
As legal proceedings begin and international attention grows, the fate of Sandaruwan Senadheera may once again place Sri Lanka’s commitment to press freedom under the global spotlight.