News

Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne, a specialist neurosurgeon attached to the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, and two others who were arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), have been further remanded.

The three suspects were arrested on June 17 in connection with the alleged sale of medicines at higher prices through a third party.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (24) rejected the bail applications of three suspects, including Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne, who were remanded on charges of bribery until today.

Accordingly, Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali ordered that the suspects be further remanded until July 8.

The decision was made after considering the facts presented by officials of the Bribery Commission and the arguments put forward by the defense counsel.

(Ada Derana)

President Anura Kumara Disanayake has appointed Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Finance.

The letter of appointment was handed over to Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma by the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake this morning (23) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Dr. Suriyapperuma has been involved in capital market regulation for several years as a Director of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, which operates under the Ministry of Finance.

He successfully elevated Sri Lanka's ranking in the “Protecting Minority Investors" indicator within the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business, from 74th to 28th globally.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) says it has detected a new launch of ballistic missiles from Iran.

Sirens are expected to sound in northern Israel in the coming minutes.

The announcement comes shortly after Israel said it had agreed to a bilateral ceasefire with Iran.

Israel’s defence minister says he has instructed the military to “respond forcefully to Iran’s violation of the ceasefire with intense strikes against regime targets in the heart of Tehran.”

Israel Katz’s comments appear to have come before the military detected Iranian missiles in northern Israel a short while ago.

It is unclear at this stage which Iranian strikes he is referring to, although medics say five people were killed in Beer Sheba overnight after missiles fired by Tehran. (Times of Israel/ Sky News)

The Parliament House Committee, chaired by Speaker has decided to revise the meal charges levied on parliamentary staff following requests made by the staff.

The revision was finalized during the committee meeting held yesterday (20) at Parliament. According to the new decision, effective from July 1, 2025, executive-level officers will be charged Rs. 3,000 per month (previously Rs. 4,000), while non-executive staff members will be charged Rs. 2,000 per month (reduced from Rs. 2,500).

The initial pricing structure had been decided during the May 23 meeting and was to take effect from June 1, 2025. However, the rates were re-evaluated based on staff appeals.

The committee also decided that food prices for MPs’ drivers, police officers, President/Prime Minister’s security personnel, and journalists using the Parliament cafeteria will remain unchanged.

In addition, discussions were held on allocating a section of the Nuwara Eliya holiday bungalow — currently reserved exclusively for Members of Parliament — for use by parliamentary staff in the future.

The committee also reviewed the need for renovations at the official MP housing complex in Madiwela, and considered providing temporary daytime rest areas for MPs’ drivers during Parliament sessions.

The Parliament House Committee includes representatives from both the government and opposition.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya departed for Canada this morning to attend the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors.

PM Harini Amarasuriya will participate as the representative of the South Asian region in the event, which will be held from 24 to 26 June in Vancouver, Canada.

According to the PM’s Office, the summit will primarily focus on key sectors of education and training of children and women, higher education, teacher education, lifelong learning, and the integration of digital technology to enhance active learning.

Discussions will also focus on the topics of investing in innovation and research, supporting the digital transformation of institutions and organizations, implementing effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and promoting gender equality.

The government officially launched the National Rural Road Development Program on Saturday, aiming to improve 1,800 rural roads by the end of the year, Transport and Highways Minister Bimal Rathnayake said.

The project, which commenced with the development of the Kosgama South Kadugoda Pussella Road in the Seethawaka area, will see simultaneous work at 57 locations nationwide. The total estimated cost is Rs. 14 billion, with Rs. 65 million allocated for the initial site.

Rathnayake said the administration is committed to transforming the rural infrastructure in line with its policy of creating a “prosperous country with a beautiful life.” He emphasized that 70 percent of the population resides in rural areas and enhancing their livelihoods is a government priority.

The minister criticized previous governments for misusing tax funds, stating that corruption and waste must be stopped. He called on public officials and communities to actively participate in the development process, noting that transparency and accountability are key to success.

Under the guidance of the president, an additional Rs. 5 billion has been allocated for rural road development. Plans are also underway to develop Avissawella into a fully equipped city, including the establishment of a multimodal transport hub.

Qatar has temporarily suspended all air traffic in its airspace, citing safety concerns for its citizens, residents, and visitors.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar announced the decision following rising tensions in the region and threats of Iranian retaliation against the United States.

In a statement released via its official social media account, the Ministry said, “The competent Qatari authorities announce the temporary suspension of air traffic in the country’s airspace out of concern for the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors.”

Moreover, flight tracking platform Flightradar24 said that inbound flights to Doha’s Hamad International Airport began diverting to alternate airports on Monday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the US and the UK have told their citizens in Qatar to shelter in place “until further notice”.

The US embassy in Qatar suggested in a notice online that Americans do so “out of an abundance of caution”. The UK government said it was issuing its warning in response to the US alert.

The warnings come after the State Department told US citizens in international locations to “exercise increased caution,” after the US bombed three nuclear sites in Iran on Saturday. Iran has threatened to retaliate.

In a statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said a number of countries were urging precautions, but the embassy notice did “not necessarily reflect the existence of specific threats”.

“The security situation in the country is stable,” the statement said, adding that “the relevant authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors”.

Qatar is home to the largest US military base in the Middle East, Al Udeid Air Base. About 8,000 US citizens live there, according to the State Department.

The US has about 40,000 troops stationed in the Middle East.

The message from the US Embassy was followed by warnings from other groups in Qatar, including several universities that asked students to go home.

Bilateral relations between the US and Qatar are “strong”, according to the State Department, which says Qatar has helped play a financial, political and military role in dealing with turmoil in the region.

• Agencies

A Committee comprising government officials and experts has been appointed under the leadership of Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake to seek and implement sustainable solutions for managing and controlling the damages caused by wild animals to food production (Agriculture and Plantation sectors) through a scientific approach. The Committee held its first meeting today (19) at the Presidential Secretariat. 

The main objective of the Committee is to conduct a scientific study on the agricultural damage caused by wild animals and to implement short, medium and long-term action plans. In addition to drafting national policies and legislation, the Committee will also coordinate the provision of necessary human, physical and financial resources.

It was emphasised during the meeting that decisions should be made by recognizing wildlife as a part of the natural ecosystem. It was also noted that any solution must acknowledge the right of wild animals to their natural habitats. The need to implement a rapid action programme for high-risk districts was also discussed.

Prof. Ashoka Dangolla from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Peradeniya shared his views, highlighting that based on research conducted over more than 15 years on Toque macaque; it is possible to arrive at successful solutions through a scientific approach. He also pointed out that various methods can be used to control animal populations.

Director General of Wildlife Conservation, Mr M.S.L.R.C. Marasinghe, stated that a multi-pronged approach is necessary to address this issue. He emphasised the importance of animal censuses to obtain standard data on animal densities and underscored that the matter must be approached scientifically, beyond social perceptions.

It was also decided that gathering inputs from all stakeholders including academics, environmentalists, wildlife specialists, officials and members of the public affected by wildlife conflict is essential.

Among those present were Senior Additional Secretary to the President Mr. Kapila Janaka Bandara, Ministry Secretaries including Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Ravi Seneviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration Mr. S. Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Mr D.P. Wickramasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Mr. Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration Ms. Ayesha Jinasena, public officials including Director General of Department of Wildlife Conservation,  defence sector officers, university professors and the members of the Committee.

A delegation from the Maldivian President’s Office arrived at Sri Lanka’s Presidential Secretariat today for a study tour scheduled to run until June 27.

The visit focuses on areas such as archives and records preservation, stores management, inventory control, and stock preservation, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

During their stay, the officials will tour the Department of National Archives, Sri Lanka Customs, Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Secretariat, and Parliament.

Eight officials are participating and met with Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage for discussions, joined by other Secretariat staff.

Two daughters and the son-in-law of former minister Keheliya Rambukwella, arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, were granted bail today by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga.

Chamithri Rambukwella, Amali Rambukwella, and Isuru Pulasthi were each released on Rs. 50,000 cash bail and three sureties of Rs. 5 million. The court also imposed a travel ban on all three.

The suspects were produced in court by the Bribery Commission in an investigation into their assets.

Meanwhile, former minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife and one daughter, who were remanded yesterday for failing to fulfil bail conditions over the same case, have been released.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today ordered the release of the three individuals after they fulfilled their bail conditions.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (23) issued a warrant for the arrest of former Parliamentarian Sajin Vass Gunawardena, who failed to appear before the court in connection with a case filed by the Inland Revenue Commissioner regarding alleged income tax evasion amounting to nearly Rs. 36.9 million.

The case, filed in 2023 by the Inland Revenue Commissioner, pertains to the non-payment of income tax for the assessment years 2010 and 2012.

When the case was taken up before Colombo Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeevani Pathiraja, the accused, Sajin Vass Gunawardena, had failed to appear before the court, said Ada Derana reporter.

Dinesh Perera, representing the prosecution, informed the court that summons had been duly served on the respondent, but he failed to appear.

After considering the facts presented, the magistrate ordered that the accused be taken into custody and produced before the court.

Accordingly, a warrant for his arrest was issued by the court.

Sri Lanka will increase funding for research and development and invest strategically in higher education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said today, citing the need for innovation to drive economic recovery and growth.

Speaking at the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) “Serendipity Knowledge Program: Innovation for Economic Transformation” at the Cinnamon Grand in Colombo, the Prime Minister said the government is committed to setting policy direction, partnering with the private sector, and strengthening the national innovation ecosystem.

Despite having a foundation for innovation, Sri Lanka ranks 89th out of 113 countries in the Global Innovation Index 2024. Dr. Amarasuriya attributed this to decades of underinvestment in research and education, noting that the country’s gross expenditure on research and development stands at just 0.1% of GDP.

“Our government is committed to reversing this trajectory,” she said, emphasizing innovation as key to overcoming the economic crisis and avoiding the middle-income trap.

The forum was attended by ADB Sri Lanka Resident Mission Country Director Takafumi Kadono, Secretary to the Prime Minister G. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education, Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewe, and academic representatives from across the country.