News

The Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) has announced plans to cut down and destroy approximately 5,000 coconut trees in Matara District due to the rapid spread of coconut root (wilt) disease. Known locally as “Weligama Wint” and caused by an invasive insect called “Renda Makuna,” the disease has already affected 6,250 coconut trees in the district.

Dr. Sunimal Jayakody, Chairman of the CCB, said the disease has been a persistent problem in the Southern Province for nearly 15 years, rotting trees within two years and halting coconut production. He added that while around 325,000 infected trees have already been removed across the country, immediate action is necessary to prevent further spread.

The disease, believed to have originated in Indonesia, spreads easily through the tiny insect carrying the bacteria, prompting urgent measures to protect remaining coconut plantations

United National Party (UNP) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) should work together, as that is the opinion held by the majority of the country’s people, said Mahesh Senanayake, a member of the SJB Executive Committee.

He made these remarks during an interview on the “Inside Talk” program presented by the TTV NEWS YouTube channel.

He further emphasized that they had endured in silence for a year out of fear, but that the time has now come to take to the streets.

Former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga was granted bail today (12) after being arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over allegations of misappropriating public funds.

The bail order was issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama, following submissions made by officials from the Bribery Commission and the defense counsel representing the former minister.

Ranatunga was released on cash bail of Rs. 100,000 and two surety bails of Rs. 500,000 each. The Magistrate also imposed a travel ban, preventing him from leaving the country. The case is scheduled to be heard again on January 16, 2026.

Earlier in the day, Ranatunga was taken into custody after providing a statement to the Bribery Commission. He faces accusations of misappropriating over Rs. 4.7 million in public funds, allegedly causing financial losses to the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC).

According to investigators, the former minister is suspected of illegally appointing a private brokerage firm to handle direct medical insurance coverage for employees of four institutions under the Ministry of Tourism, resulting in a loss of Rs. 4,750,828.72 to SLIC.

Ranatunga, a prominent political figure and former Cabinet Minister, has previously faced several inquiries related to his ministerial tenure, but this case marks one of the most significant corruption allegations brought against him in recent years.

Sri Lanka’s blue-chip conglomerate John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) has won a crucial legal relief in its high-profile electric vehicle (EV) venture, as the Court of Appeal ordered the release of 625 BYD electric vehicles detained by Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) over allegations of import duty manipulation.

The order, issued by Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice K. Priyantha Fernando, directed Customs to expedite the release of the vehicles under bank and corporate guarantees, as specified in a motion filed by the Customs Department. The case stems from a dispute over the motor capacity classification of certain BYD vehicle models imported by John Keells CG Auto (Pvt) Ltd, a joint venture between JKH and Nepal’s Chaudhary Group (CG Corp Global).

Appearing for the Director General of Customs, Senior Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena, PC, informed the court that Customs had agreed to release the models BYD Atto 2 Premium (70kw), Atto 1 Dynamic (45kw), Atto 1 Premium (45kw), and Dolphin Dynamic (70kw) on corporate guarantees. Additionally, the Dolphin Standard (49kw) and Sealion 7 (100kw) models will be released upon submission of bank guarantees.

Accordingly, 130 Atto 1 Dynamic and 74 Atto 1 Premium vehicles will be released under corporate guarantees, while 232 Dolphin Standard and three Sealion 7 units will be cleared under bank guarantees. However, six vehicles will remain in Customs custody to facilitate motor capacity testing.

The JKH–CG partnership, known as John Keells CG Auto, launched its first showroom in Colombo in 2024, marking a major milestone in Sri Lanka’s transition to green mobility. Expansion plans are already in motion for Kurunegala, Ratnapura, and Ampara, with deliveries of the BYD Sealion 6 SUV scheduled for early 2025.

Despite its promise, the venture has been marred by controversy over duty classification and customs valuation, casting a shadow over what was expected to be one of the country’s most significant EV rollouts. The ongoing legal proceedings highlight the regulatory and compliance risks surrounding emerging electric vehicle imports in Sri Lanka.

The current dispute also mirrors past controversies involving CG Motors in Nepal, which faced allegations in 2023 of duty manipulation after reclassifying King Long minibuses to pay lower taxes, resulting in an estimated NPR 14.5 million revenue loss to the Nepali government. CG Motors was later compelled to repay misclassified duties on KYC-branded electric vans, while its operations involving XPENG, Neta V, and GAC Aion EVs drew further regulatory scrutiny.

Adding to the scrutiny, CG’s acquisition of a 70.8% stake in Union Bank of Colombo, executed via a Dubai-based entity and registered in Singapore, has raised governance and regulatory concerns, as it places Nirvana Chaudhary at the helm of the bank while he remains a director at Nepal’s Nabil Bank.

For JKH, the partnership with BYD represents a bold strategic step toward sustainable mobility and alignment with Sri Lanka’s climate commitments. Yet, the unfolding legal and governance issues underscore the urgent need for stronger oversight, regulatory consistency, and transparency in the country’s fast-evolving EV sector.

Two people were injured after a collision between a bus and a three-wheeler in Gelioya, police reported. The injured have been admitted to Peradeniya Teaching Hospital.

 A 19-year-old Advanced Level student was hospitalized this afternoon after reportedly jumping from the third floor of her school building in Bambalapitiya, police said.

The student, a resident of Moratuwa, was sitting for the A/L examination for the second time this year. The incident occurred around 15 minutes before the Biology paper was scheduled to begin.

According to eyewitnesses, the girl’s life was saved as she landed on a carpeted pathway, sustaining injuries mainly to her legs. She was immediately rushed to hospital for treatment.

Initial police investigations have revealed that the student had been experiencing fear and stress related to the examination. Statements obtained from her family members confirmed that she had shown signs of anxiety before the incident.

Police are conducting further inquiries into the matter.

Sameera Danushka de Silva from the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) has been gazetted as the new Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, filling the vacancy created by the death of former Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekera.

Lasantha Wickramasekara was elected as the Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha (PS), following a closely contested vote on July 24.

Wickramasekara secured the chairmanship after the SJB clinched victory in a 23-22 vote against the National People’s Power (NPP).

However, Wickramasekera, also known as ‘Midigama Lasa,’ died on October 22 following a gun attack inside his office in broad daylight.

( Source : dailymirror.lk)

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala says there is no security threat to Sri Lanka following the recent explosions reported in India and Pakistan.

He assured that the country’s security situation remains stable thanks to the active vigilance of intelligence agencies and the alertness of the tri-forces and police.

“No information has been revealed about any such threat. Our intelligence units are active, and national security is well under control,” Minister Wijepala stated.

Commenting on reports about underworld figures allegedly planning to return to Sri Lanka, the Minister clarified that his remarks were misinterpreted.

“I did not say that. I only mentioned that some drug traffickers have expressed their desire to give up the trade. If they wish to change that path, it’s a positive step,” he added.

Former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga was arrested this morning (12) after appearing before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

He had arrived at the Commission to record a statement when officers took him into custody in connection with an ongoing investigation.

(Source - Dailymirror)

In a joint operation conducted by the Western Province North Crimes Range and the Southern Province Police, six individuals have been taken into custody in Kirinda for the possession of approximately 300 kilograms of narcotic substances, police confirmed.

According to police sources, the suspects were apprehended following a coordinated raid based on intelligence information. The seized drugs are currently being analyzed, while further investigations are underway to determine the source and intended destination of the narcotics.

Over 1,000 children in Sri Lanka are currently awaiting life-saving heart surgeries, but a new collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Rotary Club of Colombo West seeks to offer renewed hope to some of them.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed yesterday (11) at the Health Ministry, 50 children suffering from congenital heart diseases will undergo surgery at Amrita Hospital in Kochi, India. The agreement was signed by Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe and Rotary Club of Colombo West President K. P. Nagaraja, as part of a Rotary Global Project jointly supported by the Rotary Clubs of Colombo West and Cochin West.

According to the Ministry, the initiative aims to ease the country’s long waiting lists and ensure that children in critical need receive timely, life-saving medical care. Eligible patients will be identified through medical assessments conducted by specialists from the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in Colombo.

This marks the second phase of the program. Two years ago, 60 Sri Lankan children successfully underwent heart surgeries at Amrita Hospital, returning home healthier and giving their families a fresh sense of hope and relief.

Sri Lanka Customs has agreed to release a consignment of BYD electric vehicles that had been under detention, following an agreement reached in court today (November 11).

The decision came during the hearing of a petition filed by the importing company before the Court of Appeal. Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena, appearing for Sri Lanka Customs, informed the court that the institution had agreed to release 625 vehicles under several models — including BYD ATTO Premium (70 kW), ATTO Dynamic (45 kW), ATTO Premium (45 kW), and Dolphin Dynamic (70 kW) — upon submission of bank and company guarantees.

The proposal made by Customs received the consent of President’s Counsel Farsana Jamil, representing the petitioner.