News

Jaffna District Member of Parliament Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna was arrested by Ilavalai Police this morning (27) in connection with allegations of criminal intimidation and trespass.

According to police, the arrest was made following accusations that the parliamentarian had engaged in criminal intimidation involving the alleged brandishing of a firearm. He is also facing allegations related to criminal trespass.

The arrest comes amid an ongoing investigation into the incident, with law enforcement authorities taking steps to pursue legal action over the claims made against the MP.

Further details regarding the case and any subsequent court proceedings are expected to emerge as investigations continue.

The Department of Meteorology has forecast showers and thundershowers in several areas across most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (27), with conditions expected to intensify in several provinces.

According to the latest weather advisory, some areas in the Southern Province are also likely to experience showers during the morning hours.

The department further stated that fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 75 mm is expected at certain locations in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, Uva, and North-Central provinces, as well as in the Kurunegala District.

Meanwhile, misty conditions are anticipated during the early hours of the morning in parts of the Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the districts of Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, and Badulla.

Authorities have urged the general public to remain cautious and take necessary precautions to reduce the risk of damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Residents in affected areas are advised to stay alert as changing weather conditions may lead to sudden disruptions during the day.

The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has officially declared May 31, 2026, as a public holiday in line with the State Vesak Festival celebrations scheduled to take place on May 30.

The announcement was made through an extraordinary gazette notification, which formally revises the previously scheduled public holiday that had been set for May 02.

According to the ministry, the decision has been taken to facilitate public participation and observance following the official State Vesak Festival program, one of the most significant religious events in the national calendar.

In addition, in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, this year’s Vesak Week has been declared from May 27 to June 2, allowing for a full week of religious observances and commemorative activities across the country.

The revised holiday arrangement is expected to assist devotees and the general public in taking part in Vesak-related events and ceremonies held nationwide during the designated week.

The ‘‘Ehi Passiko’’ Peace Walk enters its sixth day today (27), continuing its journey with a route beginning near the Abeysekaraaramaya in Yakkala and proceeding towards the historic Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya.

The ongoing walk, led by Venerable Pannakara Thero of Vietnam together with a group of monks, has drawn attention as it advances across the country carrying a message of peace and unity. The journey first commenced on April 21 from the Dambulla Raja Maha Viharaya.

Organizers have also planned a special discussion tomorrow (28) at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, to be held alongside the peace walk. The discussion is expected to bring together school and university students, providing an opportunity for young participants to engage in conversations centered on peace and harmony.

Following the discussion, the walk is scheduled to continue from Kelaniya to Independence Square in Colombo.

Later on the same day, the State Ceremony of the ‘‘Ehi Passiko’’ Peace Walk will be held at Independence Square under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The event marks a significant stage in the peace walk’s progress, as it moves closer to its ceremonial conclusion while continuing to promote its message across communities.

In a strong move to protect consumers from unfair pricing, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has launched legal action against several retail outlets accused of selling rice and bottled drinking water above the approved prices.

The action follows a series of emergency raids carried out on April 24 across several areas, including Kandy, Trincomalee, Galle, Tangalle, Girandurukotte, and Haputale. During these inspections, officials discovered that Keeri Samba and other rice varieties were being sold at prices exceeding the legally prescribed limits.

As a result, the CAA filed cases against the business owners involved. After court proceedings, fines of Rs. 100,000 each were imposed on one trader in Trincomalee, two traders in Galle, two in Tangalle, and one in Girandurukotte. Meanwhile, the owner of a retail outlet in Haputale received a significantly higher fine of Rs. 500,000.

In a separate enforcement operation, the Authority also carried out surprise inspections targeting businesses selling bottled drinking water above the maximum retail price. Following the legal proceedings, the court ordered a Rs. 1,000,000 fine against a businessman in Haputale, while a trader in Anuradhapura was fined Rs. 100,000.

The latest crackdown highlights the CAA’s continued efforts to ensure fair pricing and protect the public from exploitative trade practices, especially involving essential goods.

The Department of Meteorology has issued a weather advisory warning that showers and thundershowers are expected in most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m. today, with several provinces likely to experience significant rainfall.

According to the forecast, fairly heavy showers exceeding 75 mm are expected in isolated areas of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western, and Southern provinces. Residents in these regions have been advised to stay alert, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

In addition to the widespread afternoon rainfall, showers may also occur during the morning hours in the coastal areas of the Southern Province and in the Kalutara District.

The Department further noted that misty conditions are likely to prevail during the early hours of the morning in parts of the Central, Sabaragamuwa, North-Central, and Uva provinces, as well as in the Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts, potentially affecting visibility for commuters.

Authorities have urged the general public to take adequate precautions against temporary localized strong winds and lightning that may accompany the thundershowers, in order to minimize possible damage and ensure public safety.

The Archdiocese of Colombo has firmly rejected recent reports claiming that Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is set to step down from his position as Archbishop of Colombo in late 2026.

Responding to an inquiry on the matter, Reverend Father Jude Chrysantha, Director of Mass Communications for the Archdiocese, stated that the reports are false and clarified that any decision regarding the appointment or retirement of an Archbishop lies solely with the Vatican.

He further explained that under Canon Law, retirement is generally considered upon reaching the age of 80. However, he emphasized that the final determination rests exclusively with the Pope Francis.

According to the clarification, although Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is expected to reach the age of 80 next year, no official announcement regarding his retirement has been made to date.

The statement comes in response to recent media reports citing unnamed sources, which had suggested that a significant leadership transition within the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka was likely by the end of this year.

With the Archdiocese now publicly addressing the speculation, church officials have moved to dispel uncertainty surrounding the Archbishop’s future and reaffirm that no formal decision has yet been communicated by the Vatican.

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is beginning to feel the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with officials warning that the situation is affecting visitor arrivals just as the country moves closer to its peak travel season.

Tourism Deputy Minister and MP Ruwan Ranasinghe said the unrest in the region has created significant challenges for the industry, particularly because a large share of European travelers reach Sri Lanka through major transit hubs in the Middle East.

He noted that many tourists rely on connecting flights operated by airlines such as Emirates and Qatar Airways, making regional disruptions a direct concern for inbound travel.

According to the Deputy Minister, tourist arrivals have declined by 20 percent since March when compared with figures from 2025. As of April 19, approximately 88,000 visitors had arrived in the country.

Despite expectations that total arrivals may reach around 120,000 by the end of April, the projected figure remains considerably lower than the 174,000 tourists recorded during the same period last year.

The decline comes at a crucial time for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, which traditionally looks toward the upcoming season as a key period for growth and revenue. Officials are now closely monitoring developments in the Middle East as the sector faces mounting uncertainty.