News

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, along with his wife, three daughters, and son-in-law, was formally served indictments before the Colombo High Court over allegations of illegally acquiring assets during his tenure in public office.

The indictments were presented before High Court Judge Lanka Jayaratne, marking a significant development in the case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023.

Following the indictment, each accused was released on cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and two personal bail bonds of Rs. 1 million.

The court also imposed a foreign travel ban, ordering the surrender of passports and the recording of fingerprints for official documentation.

The charges follow an investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, which filed 43 charges against Rambukwella and his family on June 26.

The alleged offenses occurred between August 13, 2020, and June 24, 2024, during his time at the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Mass Media.

The All Share Price Index (ASPI) of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recorded yet another all-time high today (15), closing at 18,946.27 points.

The ASPI, which crossed the 19,000 mark during morning trade, closed at 18,946.27 points, after gaining by 107.88 points (0.57%).

According to the CSE, a turnover of Rs. 9.1 billion was recorded at the close of trading.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who also serves as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, has emphasized that education and children’s futures should not be used as political tools.

She dismissed false claims circulating that history and aesthetics subjects have been removed under the new education reforms, stressing that such misinformation undermines the reform process.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a special program held today, aimed at briefing education authorities in the Western Province on the upcoming reforms.

She added that the reforms will be implemented with careful understanding, focusing on nurturing well-rounded, quality individuals.

In a deeply saddening turn of events, Bhathiya, a majestic elephant known for his striking presence, passed away this morning at approximately 8:55 AM, following a prolonged struggle with severe injuries.

Bhathiya, estimated to be between 30 and 35 years old, had long captured the attention and affection of wildlife enthusiasts and locals alike.

Despite his strength and stature, he endured immense suffering over the years, having been repeatedly targeted in gunfire incidents.

His first recorded injury was observed in February within the Nikaweratiya wildlife zone, where he was found with gunshot wounds. He was later spotted again in May, this time in the Mahawa area, once again injured by gunfire.

Though wildlife veterinarians from the Nikaweratiya Veterinary Unit made several attempts to treat him, Bhathiya never fully recovered. His front leg remained severely damaged, and his condition continued to deteriorate.

Public concern surged when Bhathiya was found collapsed in a waterhole in Polpithigama, in critical condition. A dedicated team led by former Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Peradeniya, Prof. Ashoka Dangolla, provided intensive care over several days.

Veterinarians reported that Bhathiya had been lying in the same position for an extended period, causing muscle degeneration and impaired blood circulation. Despite their best efforts to reposition him and begin targeted treatment, his condition worsened. He had also begun to refuse food, a sign of his declining will to survive.

This morning, Bhathiya took his final breath — a moment that left wildlife officers, veterinarians, and many across the country in mourning.

The owner of the Hambantota Bird Park, who was arrested in connection with 21 illegally imported high-capacity motorbikes, was remanded until July 25.

The suspect was arrested this morning (17) in Narahenpita by a special Police unit and later remanded after being produced before the Hambantota Magistrate’s Court.

His arrest comes after the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau discovered 21 illegally imported motorcycles hidden within the bird sanctuary premises.

According to the Police, the value of a single motorcycle exceeds Rs. 15 million. In addition, four illegally cultivated cannabis plants were found on the property.

The sanctuary’s farm manager and warehouse supervisor were initially taken into custody. The arrested individuals are residents of Matara and Middeniya, aged between 40 and 50 years.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the current perspective on education is extremely narrow, and that the practice of evaluating education solely based on exam results is a flawed approach that needs to change.

She made these remarks while attending the “Pankaja Student Summit 2025” of the Polonnaruwa District, held today (July 13) at Royal Central College, Polonnaruwa, aiming for the development of virtues among children by fostering the fundamental aspects of higher education, the Prime Minister’s Media Division said.

The Prime Minister, in her speech during the event noted that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake consistently emphasizes the importance of building a compassionate society by nurturing children with strong values.

She added that it is not enough to raise individuals who focus solely on their own needs; what truly matters is developing students who work for the betterment of society.

Dr. Amarasuriya also expressed her happiness in the creativity and skills of the students, believing they represent the capable leadership of the future. She emphasized that the government is committed to nurturing both creativity and humanity in children.

Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya attended the event as Minister of Education, in response to an invitation from Praveen Maneesha Watthegama, the student Prime Minister representing Royal Central College in the National Student Parliament.

Addressing the event, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

“We are committed to transforming the exam-centered education system to one that allows talented children to move forward through their abilities and skills.

Our President constantly emphasizes the need to build a compassionate society by nurturing sensitive children with good values. It is not enough to raise individuals who only fulfill their own duties and needs, what matters is producing students who work for the betterment of society in mind.

Today, seeing the creativity and skills of these students, I truly feel happy. I am confident that there is a highly capable group of young people ready to take on the future leadership of our country. Our goal is to nurture not only creativity but also children who are enriched with humanity. Seeing your talents has given me further encouragement. You are the ones who give us the strength to keep working. Let us all join together and commit ourselves to building a compassionate and value-driven society.”

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake officially inaugurated the newly established Wax Museum at the historic Ehelepola Walawwa in Kandy this morning (17), marking a significant milestone in the preservation and celebration of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage.

The Ehelepola Walawwa, a landmark of the Kandyan Kingdom, was recently renovated by the Urban Development Authority and formally handed over to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

The Wax Museum was created within the premises to honor the site's archaeological and historical significance.

The museum showcases wax recreations of Kandyan architecture, customs, arts, and crafts, offering visitors a vivid glimpse into the grandeur of the ancient kingdom.

Exhibition stalls highlight traditional industries, while a dedicated dining area illustrates royal culinary practices, complete with authentic recipes.

A key attraction is the display of 35 lifelike wax figures representing prominent historical figures, including:

Ven. Weliwita Sri Saranankara Sangharaja Thera

Ven. Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Thera

King Wimaladharmasuriya I

Queen Kusumasana Devi

Monarawila Keppetipola Disawe

Devendra Mulachari

Governor Robert Brownrigg

Ehelepola Maha Adikaram, Kumarihami, and their two children

Designed by Athula Herath, a resident of Gampola, the museum was developed under the Ehelepola Walawwa Museum Special Project at a cost of Rs. 300 million.

The museum is expected to become a major cultural attraction for both local and international tourists, and a valuable educational resource for younger generations to explore the legacy of the Kandyan Kingdom.

The White House has announced the nomination of Eric Meyer, a career diplomat from California, as the next Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. U.S. President Donald Trump has formally submitted Meyer’s name to the United States Senate for confirmation.

Meyer is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and currently serves as the Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. In this role, he oversees the bureau and coordinates U.S. policy priorities across the region, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

His most recent assignments include serving as Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. at the U.S. Mission to Norway and as Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Skopje, North Macedonia. He also served as U.S. Consul General in Almaty, Kazakhstan, leading interagency operations and representing U.S. interests in southern Kazakhstan—the location of the only U.S. Consulate in Central Asia.

In Washington, Meyer has held roles as Special Assistant and Senior Advisor in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, where he coordinated policy across the region.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasized the need for the Ministry of Sports and Sports Associations to collaborate on joint initiatives aimed at elevating Sri Lankan sports to the international stage.

President Dissanayake stressed that instead of isolated efforts such as merely distributing sports equipment, the focus must shift toward structured and impactful programmes that support long-term sports development.

The President made these remarks during a progress review meeting of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports held at the Presidential Secretariat today (16).

The meeting reviewed the institutional progress of the Ministry of Sports, the National Youth Services Council and the National Youth Corps. The President was briefed on the current projects being implemented by these institutions and the programmes aimed at youth development across the country.

During the discussion, the President noted that, similar to developed countries, sports can bring not only social benefits but also significant economic returns. He closely examined the Ministry’s sports development initiatives and called for a more strategic approach.

Attention was also drawn to the “YOUTH CLUB” programme of the National Youth Services Council. The President directed officials to focus on establishing modern and well-equipped vocational training centres that cater to school leavers and promote youth employment.

Underscoring the importance of efficient and results-oriented implementation, the President stressed that all institutions under the Ministry must work collectively to achieve both physical and financial targets by the end of 2025, ensuring the optimal use of allocated resources.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that political leadership and the state machinery must work together to uplift the lives of the people.

He made these comments while attending the Hambantota District Development Committee meeting.

The President also announced that the upcoming budget will include provisions to provide new vehicles for government officials engaged in fieldwork, including Divisional Secretaries, as many are currently forced to use vehicles that are over a decade old and in poor condition.

Addressing the broader state of the public sector, the President said that Sri Lanka’s government machinery has become weak and outdated over the years — with many public buildings in disrepair, a lack of skilled mid-level officers, and outdated software systems.

He said the government has already developed a plan to revitalize the state sector.

As part of this plan, salaries of public servants will be significantly increased, and recruitment will resume to fill long-standing vacancies, especially in professional and technical roles.

The President added that a special committee has been set up at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat to review recruitment needs.

Its recommendations are expected to be presented to the Cabinet soon, paving the way for the recruitment of over 30,000 personnel after a five-year gap.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the implementation of the National Cyber Protection Strategy of Sri Lanka – 2025 to 2029, a comprehensive framework aimed at strengthening the country’s cybersecurity posture over the next five years.

The strategy, developed by the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) with technical support from the World Bank, builds upon the foundation laid by the country’s first cyber protection strategy introduced in 2018 and implemented from 2019 to 2023.

The new strategy focuses exclusively on civilian cybersecurity sectors and is structured around six key pillars:

Upgrading the legal and regulatory framework

Enhancing public awareness and knowledge

Improving cybersecurity readiness

Strengthening incident response capabilities

Fostering national and international cooperation

The proposal was presented by the President, in his capacity as Minister of Digital Economy.

The Colombo High Court has scheduled July 28 to hear the corruption case filed against former Labour and Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva, who stands accused of maintaining millions of rupees worth of assets, vehicles, and bank accounts beyond his lawful income.

The case, filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, alleges that Silva acquired luxury vehicles, real estate, and other high-value assets between March 31, 2010, and March 31, 2012, during his tenure as a Cabinet Minister.

The prosecution claims these acquisitions could not have been made through his official salary and income.

Although a pre-trial conference was scheduled for today, proceedings were postponed due to the absence of the presiding judge. The court has now fixed July 28 as the next hearing date.

Silva was previously served with two indictments under Section 23(a)(1) of the Bribery Act, and was released on two surety bails of Rs. 5 mn each following the formal serving of charges on June 6.