News

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered that former Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa be further remanded until September 30.

The order was issued as Rajapaksa remains in custody over allegations of offenses committed under the Public Property Act.

The court was scheduled to consider his bail application today (22).

However, the Chief Magistrate ruled that there were no sufficient grounds to grant bail at this time, and ordered that the suspect remain in remand custody.

President’s Counsel Anuja Premarathna, appearing for Rajapaksa, informed the court that his client was in poor health.

Taking this into consideration, the Chief Magistrate directed prison authorities to ensure the suspect receives appropriate medical treatment.

Shasheendra Rajapaksa was arrested by the Bribery Commission on August 6 in connection with allegations that he unlawfully obtained compensation amounting to Rs. 8,850,000 for property—including a building—constructed without authorization on land belonging to the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority in Sewanagala.

The property was reportedly damaged during the Aragalaya protests, and Rajapaksa is accused of exerting pressure on officials to secure the compensation.

The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Mobile Service Week, organized by the Ministry of Labor, begins today (22).

The opening event will take place in Jaffna at 9.00 a.m. under the patronage of Deputy Labor Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe.

After the launch, the program will continue across the country.

According to the Ministry, the service will help EPF members with their issues, provide job opportunities through job fairs, and offer legal advice and guidance.

Authorities in Tangalle have discovered a large stock of illegal drugs, including over 200 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (‘Ice’) and heroin.

The discovery was made this morning (22) when police found two dead bodies inside an abandoned house under renovation in Seenimodara. A lorry parked on the premises contained a massive quantity of narcotics.

Earlier, police had recovered 10 packets of ‘Ice’ from a smaller lorry near the same house. A thorough search later led to the seizure of the larger stock of drugs.

Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) for the Southern Province, Kitsiri Jayalath, said most of the narcotics were hidden in the larger lorry.

Police also found four modern firearms inside the vehicle, suggesting possible links to organized crime.

A 23-year-old man has drowned in a hotel swimming pool in Kandawala, Katana.

The victim, who was from Maussakelle in Maskeliya, had been swimming with friends when the incident occurred, police said.

Katana Police have launched further investigations.

A Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) employee has been arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) for allegedly providing shelter to Sampath Manamperi. Manamperi is currently in remand in connection with the recent discovery of a buried container containing chemicals used in the production of the drug ‘Ice’ in Middeniya.

The PNB is conducting further investigations into the matter, including the extent of the employee’s involvement in the case.

At the invitation of the Japanese Government, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will make an Official Visit to Japan from September 27–30, 2025.

During the visit, he will meet His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and hold summit talks with the Japanese Prime Minister on matters of mutual interest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism announced.

The President will also speak at a Business Forum in Tokyo attended by leading Japanese companies and investors, focusing on new economic opportunities in Sri Lanka.

In addition, he will take part in “EXPO 2025 Osaka” as a Guest of the Government of Japan on the occasion of Sri Lanka Day, showcasing the country’s culture and economic potential to a global audience.

He is also expected to meet with members of the Sri Lankan community living in Japan.

President Dissanayake will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and other senior officials.

According to the Ministry, the visit will help strengthen and deepen the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Sri Lanka and Japan.

Moratuwa – A naked body was discovered this morning (22) along the Modara-Jayagathpura coastline within the Egodawatta police jurisdiction.

The body was found following information received by the Egodawatta Police Station.

However, the identity of the deceased has not yet been established, police said.

Authorities also suspect that the individual was between 50 and 60 years of age.

Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), addressing the high profile gathering at the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in China, emphasized the significance of collective dialogue, regional cooperation, and mutual respect in addressing global and regional security challenges.

He said, “We should take seriously the legitimate security concerns of every country and promote peaceful settlement of differences and disputes among countries through dialogue and consultation. We need to continue pursuing open regionalism and steadily advance regional economic integration.”

The 12th Beijing Xiangtan Forum is held from 17 - 19 (Sep), at the Beijing International Convention Center in Beijing. Speaking at the Fourth plenary session on the topic of "Building regional peace through dialog and consultation" on (19), the Defence Secretary expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the Chinese government, for the invitation to this high-level security and defence forum, which has become a vital platform for fostering dialogue and promoting peace in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.

Quoting President Xi Jinping’s call to respect legitimate security concerns of all nations and resolve disputes through consultation, the Defence Secretary noted that true peace is achieved not merely through the absence of conflict but through dialogue, understanding, and constructive engagement.

Highlighting Sri Lanka’s strategic location, he reaffirmed the country’s longstanding commitment to ensuring that the Indian Ocean remains a zone of peace, open to cooperation and free from conflict. “Sri Lanka stands ready to act as a bridge of peace and cooperation, facilitating connectivity, trade, and cultural dialogue between East and West” he said.

The Defence Secretary further stressed the enduring friendship between Sri Lanka and China, recalling over seven decades of bilateral ties built on trust, mutual respect, and partnership. He acknowledged China’s steadfast support in safeguarding Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and stability, as well as its contribution to military training and infrastructure development.

Reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to regional stability, the Defence Secretary said, “Differences are inevitable, but they must never lead to confrontation. Dialogue and consultation are the only sustainable path forward” and also called for regional initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific to complement one another.

“We must solve our problems among ourselves through dialogue and consultation, guided by equality and mutual respect. This is the spirit we carry forward from the Beijing Xiangshan Forum towards a future where peace triumphs over conflict” he said.

The Beijing Xiangshan Forum, co-hosted by the China Association of Military Science (CAMS) and the China Institute of International Strategic Studies (CIISS), is one of Asia-Pacific’s most influential platforms for international security and defence dialogue. A large number of high profile defence heads and delegates are attending this forum.

Two dead bodies were found in an old house under renovation in the Seenimodara area of Tangalle.

Police said that during the investigation, they also discovered 10 packets of the drug “ice” inside a lorry parked near the house.

Meanwhile, another person who was inside the house suddenly fell ill and was admitted to Tangalle Hospital, where he later passed away.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident, while the Government Analyst is conducting further examinations.

 The body of a 21-year-old youth was found near a culvert in Yakalla, Ibbagamuwa, by Gokarella Police.

He was a resident of Pabuluwa, Ibbagamuwa.

Police said a complaint was made this morning that he had been missing since last night.

The young man, who worked at a livestock farm, had told his family he would return home after work, but after 10 p.m. there was no news of him.

Gokarella Police are carrying out further investigations.

Police have recovered a 9mm pistol, two T-56 magazines, 115 rounds of T-56 ammunition, and a hand grenade, suspected to belong to Sampath Manamperi.

The items were discovered buried in a plot of land in Middeniya, the Police Media Spokesman stated.

Investigations revealed that these firearms and ammunition were reportedly provided to Sampath Manamperi by underworld figure ‘Backhoe Saman’ around two months ago.

Interrogations further indicated that Sampath Manamperi had buried the firearms and ammunition behind the house of a female acquaintance.

Sampath Manamperi is currently in remand over the earlier recovery of buried containers containing chemicals.

The Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court on September 17 granted the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) permission to detain Sampath Manamperi for seven days for questioning. He is accused of concealing two containers of raw materials reportedly used in the production of the drug ‘Ice,’ allegedly belonging to underworld figure Kehelbaddara Padme.

Following the court order, PNB officers are questioning Sampath Manamperi regarding the recent discovery of the two containers in Middeniya.

Sampath Manamperi had surrendered to the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court on September 17.

‘Potta Amila,’ a member of an organized crime gang and a drug trafficker, along with three close associates, was arrested today (21) afternoon by the Moragahahena Police.

Police seized 5,300 drug tablets and 15,000 mg of crystal meth (Ice) worth nearly Rs. 1 million, along with three mobile phones used for the trade.

The arrests were made following information received by the police intelligence and special task force officers about a suspect involved in Ice distribution in the Gonapola Kumbukawatta area. When searched, he was found in possession of 2,200 mg of Ice. During questioning, he revealed that the drugs had been given to him by ‘Potta Amila’ for distribution.

Later, police raided Amila’s house and arrested him along with two others. Police recovered 10,100 mg of Ice and 5,000 drug tablets from Amila, and 2,100 mg of Ice plus 300 drug tablets from the other two suspects.

According to police, Amila is a close associate of underworld gang members ‘Mole Kasun’ and ‘Manna Ramesh,’ who are currently in Boossa Prison. He had also lost his eyesight some years ago following an acid attack during a past dispute.

All four suspects will be produced before the Horana Magistrate’s Court, while further investigations are ongoing by Moragahahena Police.