News

The Commissioner General of Motor Traffic has announced the cancellation of a circular issued on 2 June 2023, which had permitted the fitting of decorations and accessories on passenger buses.

The cancellation takes effect from 9 September 2025, and bus operators are required to comply with the updated regulations.

Former MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera, who was remanded until today, has been granted bail by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court.

Ve. Athuraliye Rathana Thera has been released on a cash bail of Rs. 10,000 and two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each.

The former MP was wanted by the Police in connection with the alleged 2020 abduction of Our Power of People Party (OPPP) General Secretary Ven. Wedinigama Wimalatissa Thera.

Ven. Rathana Thera is accused of being linked to the abduction of Ven. Wimalatissa Thera, whom he is said to have forced to sign documents enabling him to obtain a National List seat in Parliament.

The former MP is said to have evaded arrest after the Colombo Crimes Division officers visited his Rajagiriya temple, as well as other temples, meditation centres, and housing complexes, but were unable to locate him.

The Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court also issued an arrest warrant for Ven. Rathana Thera on 18th August, after which he appeared before the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court on 29th August and was remanded.

Former chairman of the Wattegama Urban Council Ravindra Bandara and businessman Lakshitha Manoj Weerabahu have been arrested in connection with an alleged illegal vehicle import and registration scheme, police said Saturday.

Authorities said two Jeep vehicles, suspected to have been illegally imported and registered with falsified details at the Department of Motor Vehicles, were also taken into custody.

Bandara, who also previously served as chairman of the Wattegama Urban Council, and Weerabahu were arrested following investigations into forged data entries and false registration records.

Police said further inquiries are under way to determine the scale of the operation and whether additional individuals are involved.

Former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa has been further remanded until September 19, following allegations of offenses committed under the Public Property Act.

Rajapaksa was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today (12), escorted by prison officials.

He was initially arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on August 6, on suspicion of misusing public property.

The court had previously ordered that he be held in remand custody until today (12).

The charges relate to an incident involving a building constructed without authorization on land belonging to the Mahaweli Authority in the Sevanagala area. The property was reportedly damaged during the 2022 protests, and Rajapaksa is accused of pressuring officials to claim compensation amounting to Rs. 8.85 million for the damages.

The Ministry of Education has announced the school calendar for 2026 covering government and government-approved private schools.

The schedule also specifies term dates for Muslim schools. The first term of the new year will commence on 1 January 2026.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stressed the importance of close coordination and joint action between the central government and provincial institutions in the implementation of development projects.

The President emphasised that the culture of using provincial institutions merely as instruments for political authority to retain power has been brought to an end under the present government, while also highlighting the need for the central government and provincial institutions to work in unison towards a national plan for the country’s development.

The President made these remarks during a meeting held today (11) at the Presidential Secretariat to review issues that have arisen between the central government and provincial institutions in the course of implementing development projects, to assess projects being carried out under the 2025 provincial budget allocations and to hold preliminary discussions regarding the budget for 2026.

Special focus was placed on challenges encountered in implementing projects in sectors such as education, health and highways, with discussions also covering possible solutions and proposals.

The President instructed provincial governors and district secretaries that, going forward, projects funded through foreign loans and aid should not be carried out through special project offices that require large administrative expenditures. Instead, they should be implemented within the existing administrative structure, completed within the stipulated timeframes and the benefits delivered directly to the people.

Attention was also drawn to plans for improving the school system. Officials were directed to visit schools at zonal level, conduct close studies and present the most suitable solutions to ensure quality education for all children.

The meeting was attended by Provincial Governors, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration S. Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Senior Additional Secretaries to the President Russel Aponsu and Kapila Janaka Bandara, ministerial secretaries, district and divisional secretaries, as well as senior officials of the Ministry of Finance.

SJB Member of Parliament Kabir Hashim has been appointed as the new Chair of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) for the first session of the Tenth Parliament.

This appointment fills the vacancy created following the resignation of Member of Parliament Aravinda Senarath, who served as the Chair of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) for the first session of the Tenth Parliament, from the position on August 06, 2025.

The Committee convened in Parliament today (12) to elect the new Chairman, according to the Department of Communication of Parliament.

For the position of Chair, the name of MP Kabir Hashim was proposed and seconded respectively by Members of Parliament J.C. Alawathuwala and Rohitha Abeygunawardena.

Subsequently, addressing the committee, the new Chair stated that he expects to carry out his duties in a neutral manner, free from political bias, with the cooperation of all members.

He further expressed his special appreciation for the work performed by former Chair MP Aravinda Senarath and stated that he expects to carry out the responsibilities of his office even more effectively.

Moreover, the new Chair indicated that he is prepared to take the necessary measures to further systematize the functions of the COPA Committee by formulating new plans, the statement said.

The occasion was also attended by Deputy Minister Sugath Thilakaratne, MPs M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Rohitha Abeygunawardhana, J.C. Alawathuwala, Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, Hector Appuhamy, Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana, Oshani Umanga, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, Thushari Jayasingha, M.A.M. Thahir, Lal Premanath, Chanaka Madugoda, as well as Parliament officials including Director (Legislative Services) and Acting Director (Communication) M. Jayalath Perera.

Former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga withdrew his appeal requesting a court order to be released & acquitted from the suspended prison sentence and fine imposed on him.

The appeal was heard before a five-judge bench of the Court of Appeal, comprising Justices Mayadunne Corea, Kumaran Ratnam, Sashi Mahendran, Damith Thotawatte, and Amal Ranaraja.

During the proceedings, the Court of Appeal granted additional time for Ranatunga to pay the Rs. 25 million fine in installments.

The charges against Ranatunga related to an incident during his tenure as Chief Minister of the Western Province, where he was accused of threatening a businessman and demanding money in relation to the development of a plot of land in Meethotamulla.

Secretary General of Parliament Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera stated that the second reading of the Appropriation Bill (the budget speech/presentation of budget proposals) for the year 2026 will be held on 7th November, 2025, followed by the budget debate from 8th November to 5th December, as decided by the Committee on Parliamentary Business.

This decision was made at yesterday (11) meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business, chaired by Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramarathne.

Accordingly, the Secretary General stated that the first reading of the Appropriation Bill will be presented to Parliament on 26th September, 2025.

In his capacity as the Minister of Finance, the Hon. President will present the second reading of the Appropriation Bill (the Budget Speech) on 7th November, and it has been decided to allocate six days, from 8th November to 14th November, for the second reading debate. The vote on the second reading will take place on 14th November at 6:00 PM.

Residents and businesses near Colombo’s Beira Lake are struggling with a severe stench caused by ongoing pollution, forcing some hotels and establishments to shut down. Locals blame the discharge of untreated wastewater, sewage, and plastic waste into the lake from multiple city canals.

In response, a special Task Force led by the Western Province Waste Management Authority has launched a multi-phase clean-up plan. Immediate steps include stopping untreated waste from entering the lake and deploying boats to collect floating debris. Authorities also plan to divert wastewater from eight major canals through the Colombo Municipal Council’s pumping station, directing it into the sea at Wellawatte to protect the lake.

A special meeting between former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, was held last morning (11) at the political party office on Flower Road, Colombo.

Discussions focused on the political situation in Sri Lanka as well as developments at the international level.

Prior to this, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa also held a similar discussion with the Chinese Ambassador, before leaving his residence in Colombo yesterday.

The Chinese Ambassador is scheduled to meet with another senior former politician in the near future to continue discussions on related matters.

The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day, 10 September, is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”

Mental health experts are urging society to take depression seriously as rates of anxiety and suicidal thoughts continue to rise worldwide. Recent studies indicate that millions of people struggle in silence, Suicide is a serious public health issue — sadly over 720,000 lives are lost each year

In response, governments and non-profits are rolling out innovative programs to identify early signs of depression and provide timely support. Hotlines, online counseling, and school-based mental health education are being expanded, emphasizing that reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Experts warn that untreated depression can lead to severe consequences, including suicidal thoughts. They stress the importance of community awareness, reducing stigma, and fostering open conversations about mental health.

UN-backed campaigns highlight that small actions—listening, checking in on friends, and promoting mental well-being—can save lives. Mental health professionals urge anyone struggling to seek help immediately and remind families and friends to watch for warning signs such as drastic mood changes, withdrawal, or talk of hopelessness.

As the world confronts the rising challenge of mental health crises, the message is clear: no one has to face depression alone, and timely support can make all the difference.

Help is available, and suicides are preventable.

 https://nimh.health.gov.lk/en/1926-national-mental-health-helpline/

1926 - National Mental Health Helpline is dedicated to providing 24/7, free and confidential support by phone and text message (SMS).

https://srilankasumithrayo.lk/

+94 11 2 682535

+94 707 308 308