News

Former Minister Mervyn Silva, former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera and three others arrested and remanded for allegedly selling a plot of state-owned land in Kiribathgoda to a private party by forging documents, have been further remanded.

Former Minister Silva and four other defendants in the case have been further remanded till May 26 by the Mahara Magistrate’s Court, Ada Derana reporter said.

Former Minister Mervyn Silva was arrested by the CID on March 05 for allegedly selling a plot of state-owned land to a private party after forging documents.

Meanwhile, former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera who was evading arrest for several weeks surrendered to court on May 7 and was subsequently remanded.

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.

In a powerful tribute to the unwavering dedication and sacrifice of the nation’s armed forces, the Government of Sri Lanka has announced the promotion of 12,434 personnel across the tri-forces.

This gesture coincides with the 16th National War Heroes Commemoration Day, a solemn occasion that honors those who served and sacrificed for the country.

With the approval of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the promotions recognize the valor, commitment, and professionalism of the tri-forces.

Breakdown of Promotions:

Sri Lanka Army:  

- 186 Officers

 - 10,093 Other Ranks 

Sri Lanka Navy:  

 - 22 Officers

- 1,256 Other Ranks

The National War Heroes Commemoration Day, observed annually, serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the country’s most challenging times.

Source: President's Media Division

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.

Former Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has been remanded over the importation of an allegedly substandard consignment of organic fertilizer from a Chinese company in 2021.

Rejecting his anticipatory application, the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today remanded Aluthgamage until 26 May 2025.

On 16 May, Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali issued an arrest warrant against Aluthgamage following a request made by the Bribery Commission.

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

At the time, in response, Aluthgamage had filed an anticipatory bail application, seeking to prevent his arrest by the Bribery Commission over the matter.

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.

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.