News

One person has been injured and admitted to hospital following a shooting incident reported on Bloemendhal Road in Colombo today (18), police said.

Further investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and identify those involved.

Ten students, who were arrested in connection with the ragging incident at the Sabaragamuwa University, have been further remanded until May 29 by Balangoda Magistrate Bhagya Dilrukshi.

The suspects were produced before the Balangoda Magistrate’s Court earlier today, following which the court extended their remand custody.

The case relates to the death of Charith Dilshan, a second-year student of the Faculty of Engineering Technology, who died by suicide on April 29.

Although he had left a handwritten note stating that he was taking his own life due to depression, his family and friends have alleged that he took this step after being unable to bear the ragging at the university.

Following an investigation launched into the incident, the students were arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department and were presented before the court.

The Railway Control Room announced that trains will operate according to the normal schedule today.

This follows the conclusion of the one-day token strike launched by the Railway Station Masters' Association, which ended at midnight yesterday.

Chairman of the Association, Sumedha Somaratne, said that station masters and train drivers have now resumed duties.

He added that further discussions on trade union issues will take place tomorrow, and a decision will be made regarding any future trade union action.

The strike was launched to demand solutions to several concerns related to the recruitment and promotion process.

Despite the strike, around 90 train services were operated yesterday.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has taken steps to file a case against former Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and another individual.

This is in relation to an incident from 2014, where it is alleged that government funds exceeding Rs. 1.7 million were misused by publishing advertisements in newspapers using Board of Investment (BOI) funds to mark the second anniversary of then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s re-election.

The CIABOC today filed a case before the Colombo High Court against former Minister of Investment Promotion Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and former Director General of the BOI, Jayantha Edirisinghe, under five indictments.

According to CIABOC, on November 19, 2014, funds from the BOI were used to publish additional advertisements in 11 newspapers to mark President Rajapaksa’s second term anniversary, resulting in a financial loss to the government amounting to Rs. 1,748,877.76.

This action constitutes an offense under the Anti-Corruption Act.

In this case, 15 individuals are expected to testify as witnesses, and 21 documents will be submitted as case material.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has proposed an 18.3% increase in electricity tariffs, according to Acting Chairman Udayanga Hemapala.

He stated that the proposal was submitted yesterday to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) for review and approval.

The PUCSL is expected to announce its final decision on the proposed revision within this month.

If approved, the new electricity tariffs will come into effect from June 1, 2025.

Drug trafficker and organized criminal Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne alias ‘Harak Kata’ has accused former public security minister Tiran Alles and suspended IGP Deshabandu

Tennakoon of having solicited a bribe of Rs. 300 million from him.

After appearing in a court case yesterday (14), Wickramaratne spoke to the media and said that since he refused to pay them, he was being kept at Tangalle prison at a monthly cost of around Rs. 10 million.

Social media posts say the man had been allowed to address journalists in that manner as part of a plan.

It comes in light of an investigating committee probes Tennakoon to expel him from the position of police chief after parliament adopted a proposal on 08 April for its formation.

What Tiran said then

However, Alles claimed previously the criminal offered him a Rs. 700 million bribe after he got arrested with a request of sending him to Dubai instead of bringing him home.

Alles said at a meeting with police chiefs in the southern province on 04 November 2023 that he immediately informed the then president Ranil Wickremesinghe about it.

Sri Lanka Railways has announced the suspension of all long-distance train services today (May 17), limiting operations to short-distance routes such as Galle, Negombo, and Veyangoda.

The move comes in response to a one-day token strike launched by railway station masters at midnight yesterday.

The Railway Station Masters’ Union warns of an indefinite strike if their demands remain unaddressed within a week. All night mail trains scheduled for last night were also canceled.

The Ministry of Justice has announced plans to auction off several luxury vehicles with low fuel efficiency and high maintenance costs, as part of its effort to reduce government expenditure and promote financial accountability.

Justice Minister, President’s Counsel Harsha Nanayakkara, personally inspected the vehicles today (May 15) ahead of the proposed auction.

In line with the government’s current cost-cutting policies, the Ministry has already initiated the process to sell ten luxury vehicles through public auction.

The list of vehicles includes two BMWs, one Nissan X-Trail, two Land Rover Defenders, three Toyota Land Cruisers, one Mitsubishi Montero, and one Mitsubishi Pajero.

Railway Station Masters have decided to launch a token strike from midnight today, resulting in all night mail trains being cancelled.

The one-day token strike is to be launched by the Railway Station Masters’ Union based on several demands.

The Cabinet has granted approval to relax restrictions on salt imports, allowing for the temporary importation of both iodized and non-iodized salt.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, the decision was taken during the Cabinet meeting held today (15). The approval is valid until June 10 and covers iodized salt for food consumption as well as non-iodized salt required for industrial purposes.

The move aims to ensure an adequate supply of salt in the market and meet industrial demand without shortages.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court has issued an arrest warrant against former Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage over the importation of an allegedly substandard consignment of organic fertiliser from a Chinese company during the previous government.

The order was issued by Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali, following a request made by the Bribery Commission.

The Commission alleges that the former minister was involved in facilitating the entry of a ship carrying the fertiliser in 2021, despite quality concerns.

In response, Aluthgamage filed an anticipatory bail application on Thursday, seeking to prevent his arrest, stating that the Bribery Commission intends to take him into custody over the matter.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with newly appointed ambassadors and high commissioners at the Presidential Office today (15th).

The meeting focused on the critical role these diplomats will play in representing Sri Lanka internationally and enhancing the country's image abroad.

President Dissanayake emphasized the importance of conveying the message of Sri Lanka's political transformation to the international community. He highlighted the responsibility of the diplomats to elevate Sri Lanka's image on the global stage.

The President also stressed the need for diplomats to prioritize services for Sri Lankans living abroad, ensuring fairness and justice without any discrimination.

He underscored the significance of making the Sri Lankan diplomatic missions feel like a home for expatriates and urged the diplomats to perform their duties efficiently for the benefit of the country.

Furthermore, President Dissanayake pointed out that attracting direct foreign investments and facilitating opportunities for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs in international markets are integral parts of diplomatic service. He assured that the government is ready to provide the necessary support to achieve these goals.

Reflecting on past challenges faced by diplomats due to certain incidents in Sri Lanka, the President reassured that the current administration will not act in ways that undermine the dignity of diplomats. He affirmed that the government will stand by the diplomats at all times.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced several key appointments to strengthen Sri Lanka's international relations.

The new appointments are as follows:

• Mahishini Colonne has been appointed as the High Commissioner to the Republic of India.

• Retired Rear Admiral Fred Senevirathne will serve as the High Commissioner to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

• S. D. N. U. Senadeera has been named the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

• Jayantha Chandrasiri Jayasuriya will take on the role of Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.

• Professor Arusha Cooray has been appointed as the Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.

• Mahinda Ratnayake will serve as the Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba.

• Professor Janak Kumarasinghe has been named the Ambassador to Japan.