News

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to record a statement today.

It is reported that the former President has arrived at the CID to record a statement regarding a complaint made by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella regarding the importation of medicines.

Keheliya Rambukwella had previously submitted a complaint to the CID regarding an incident involving the importation of drugs into the country.

Members of Parliament from the previous government have also recorded statements regarding the investigation into the complaint.

The Ministry of Public Security has announced plans to recruit 10,000 legally retired military personnel under the age of 45 into the Sri Lanka Police Service.

Minister of Public Security, Ananda Wijepala, revealed the proposal during the opening ceremony of the new Superintendent of Police Office in Thambuttegama.

He stated that a Cabinet paper outlining the recruitment initiative will be presented for approval at the Cabinet meeting scheduled for today (09).

According to the Minister, the proposed recruitment will be for a fixed term of five years. The move is expected to bolster the operational capacity of the police, particularly in the areas of public safety, anti-narcotics operations, and crime prevention.

Minister Wijepala also expressed concern over the increasing threat of drug abuse among the youth. “At present, we have identified approximately 7,880 children across the country who are at risk of falling victim to drug abuse,” he said, emphasising the urgent need to intensify preventive and rehabilitative efforts.

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has confirmed that electricity tariffs will be increased by 15% starting tomorrow, June 12, as part of the second tariff revision for the year.

Medical Laboratory Technologist and trade union activist Ravi Kumudesh has been suspended from service, effective from 10 June 2025.

Ravi Kumudesh has been suspended for contesting the 2024 General Election, in violation of the Establishments Code.

According to the Ministry of Health, as such, Ravi Kumudesh will not receive any salary or allowances.

It is also stated that he is barred from travelling abroad until disciplinary action is initiated.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrived at Berlin Brandenburg International Airport, commencing his official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany.

An official welcome ceremony hosted by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is scheduled for this afternoon at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, followed by official talks between the two leaders, the President’s Media Division said.

The President is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijith Herath, and a delegation of senior government officials.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the suspension of Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya, as investigations continue into the unauthorised release of inmates allegedly under the false pretext of a presidential pardon.

The move comes in the wake of a formal complaint lodged by the Presidential Secretariat, which accused prison authorities of misusing the presidential pardon process to unlawfully release certain inmates.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has since launched a full-scale inquiry into the matter.

Upuldeniya was questioned by CID officers for over 10 hours on Saturday (08), as part of the ongoing investigation.

The controversy centres around the release of an inmate from Anuradhapura Prison on Vesak Poya Day, who was not on the official list of 388 prisoners approved to receive clemency by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The inmate had reportedly been convicted of financial fraud.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Commissioner of Anuradhapura Prison was arrested by the CID on Saturday in connection with the incident.

The arrest marks the first in what is expected to be a wider crackdown on individuals involved in what authorities now suspect may be a pattern of irregular prison releases.

Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala described the matter as “serious and unacceptable,” and confirmed that there are indications of similar incidents having occurred in the past.

Dr. Gita Gopinath, the First Deputy Managing Director (FDMD) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka from 15-16 June 2025. This visit is significant, as it marks the first time since 2005 that a serving FDMD of the IMF visits Sri Lanka.

During this visit, Dr. Gopinath will be the guest of honour at the conference on “Sri Lanka’s Road to Recovery: Debt and Governance”, jointly co-hosted by the Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the IMF, scheduled to be held on 16 June 2025.

At the mid-point of the IMF-supported reform programme, the conference aims to reflect upon the lessons learnt from Sri Lanka’s experience in restoring macroeconomic stability, implementing debt restructuring and governance reforms, and to focus on the challenges ahead.

Additionally, FDMD is expected to hold bilateral discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities and several key stakeholders on the IMF’s engagement with Sri Lanka.

The wholesale price of a 50kg bag of cement will be increased by Rs. 100 with effect from today (8), according to company sources quoted by Ada Derana.

While the price revision is reportedly being implemented, no official announcement has been issued by cement manufacturers or relevant authorities as of yet.

The Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya who was arrested by the CID last night has been remanded until tomorrow (11), after he was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court today (10).

Yesterday, Cabinet decided to suspend him from his duties.

This decision follows allegations that the presidential pardon was misused to facilitate the illegal release of an inmate from the Anuradhapura Prison.

Additionally, Anuradhapura Prison Superintendent Mohan Karunaratne, who was arrested in connection with the case, has been remanded until June 11.

The CID has launched a special investigation into the release of an inmate from Anuradhapura Prison on Vesak Poya Day, despite the individual not being granted a Presidential pardon.

The Presidential Secretariat has refuted reports that a person serving a term for financial fraud had been given a presidential pardon.

In a statement, it said it has taken note of reports claiming that an individual named W.H. Athula Tilakaratne, who had been serving a sentence at the Anuradhapura Prison, was released under the Presidential Pardon granted on the occasion of Vesak 2025, and that a serious irregularity may have occurred in connection with this incident.

As per the Article 34 (1) of the Constitution, the Head of State is vested with the authority to grant a pardon to convicted prisoners.

Under this Constitutional provision, the names of eligible inmates are selected by prison authorities and submitted to the Ministry of Justice.

After a review by the Ministry, the final list is forwarded to the Presidential Secretariat for approval by the President.

However, in relation to the above incident, the official list of 388 inmates recommended for pardon submitted by the Commissioner General of Prisons to the Presidential Secretariat under reference number 06/01/Proposal/Pres.Pardon/List/05-12/2025 dated May 6, 2025 does not include the name of the individual in question, who had been convicted in connection with a financial fraud case at Anuradhapura Prison.

Accordingly, this individual was not among those approved by the President to receive a pardon.

In response to this, the Presidential Secretariat officially submitted a complaint to the Criminal Investigation Department yesterday (06), under the title “Release of a Prisoner Without Presidential Approval Under the Presidential Pardon”, requesting a special investigation into the matter.

A formal inquiry will be conducted and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against any responsible officials found to have been involved in this unauthorized release, it said.

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding renewable energy generation, with the launch of two new wind power projects in Mannar, a region seen as central to Sri Lanka’s wind energy future.

Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody made the announcement during an inspection tour of existing and proposed wind power sites in the area, underscoring the administration’s focus on sustainable solutions to the country’s ongoing energy challenges.

During the visit, the Minister toured the site designated for the proposed Mullikulam Wind Power Plant, a 100-megawatt (MW) facility currently open for tenders.

He also visited the Thambapawani Wind Power Plant, which is already in operation under the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), and reviewed development plans for the Hayleys Fentons Wind Farm, a 50 MW project.

The government has secured a power purchase agreement for a segment of the Hayleys Fentons facility at a competitive rate of 4.65 US cents per kilowatt hour, signaling a shift toward cost-effective and investor-friendly renewable energy development.

In addition to technical assessments, Minister Jayakody held discussions with CEB officials and local stakeholders to ensure the projects align with both national energy goals and local community interests.

Among those he met was Rev. Fr. S. Marcus, Chairman of the Mannar Citizens’ Committee, who voiced support for renewable development provided local concerns are respected.

The Mannar region, known for its high wind resource potential, has become a focal point for Sri Lanka’s renewable energy ambitions.

As the country seeks to reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels and transition to cleaner alternatives, wind power is expected to play a growing role in the national energy mix.

The National Poson Week begins today (June 7).

The Poson Week will continue until June 13, with the National Poson Festival planned to be held, centered around the sacred cities of Anuradhapura, Mihintale, and Thanthirimale.

Anuradhapura District Secretary K.P. Ranjith Wimalasooriya said that all necessary arrangements have been made for the convenience of devotees arriving for the National Poson Festival.

He also mentioned that a special mobile app has been created to provide necessary facilities to devotees during the Poson period.

Anuradhapura District Secretary also stated that this mobile app is expected to be introduced to reduce traffic congestion and to provide convenience for devotees visiting Anuradhapura. It will include information about parking facilities, locations where ‘dansals’ are held, first aid centers, as well as areas prone to road congestion.