News

Parliament sessions have now begun, presided over by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

The Office of the Secretary-General of Parliament announced that sittings will be held from today (23) until the 26th.

Today’s agenda includes the second reading debate on the National Building Research Institute Bill.

Tomorrow, the second reading of the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill will be debated, while the day after, discussions will be held on approving regulations under the Imports and Exports Control Act.

On Friday, Parliament will take up the adjournment debate on the fourth report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE).

Moratuwa – A naked body was discovered this morning (22) along the Modara-Jayagathpura coastline within the Egodawatta police jurisdiction.

The body was found following information received by the Egodawatta Police Station.

However, the identity of the deceased has not yet been established, police said.

Authorities also suspect that the individual was between 50 and 60 years of age.

The Supreme Court has sentenced Harsha Ilukpitiya, the Director of Immigration and Emigration, to two years in prison on charges of contempt of court.

The verdict was delivered by Supreme Court Judge Yasantha Kodagoda, with the agreement of judges Janak De Silva and Arjuna Obeysekera. The ruling noted that Ilukpitiya had shown gross disrespect toward the judiciary through his actions.

The case stems from a decision during the previous government to outsource electronic visa issuance to two private companies. The Supreme Court had issued an interim injunction to prevent this decision from being implemented, effectively restoring the old visa issuance system.

Harsha Ilukpitiya, by deliberately circumventing this court order and proceeding with the outsourced system, was found to have contemptuously defied the Supreme Court, leading to the charges and subsequent prison sentence.

This case highlights the judiciary’s firm stance that no public official is above the law, reinforcing the authority of court orders in safeguarding legal and procedural integrity.

Two dead bodies were found in an old house under renovation in the Seenimodara area of Tangalle.

Police said that during the investigation, they also discovered 10 packets of the drug “ice” inside a lorry parked near the house.

Meanwhile, another person who was inside the house suddenly fell ill and was admitted to Tangalle Hospital, where he later passed away.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident, while the Government Analyst is conducting further examinations.

All trade unions affiliated to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have decided to continue their ongoing work-to-rule trade union action until Wednesday (24).

This was announced today (22) at a media briefing by Prabath Priyantha, the General Secretary of the CEB Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya.

He stated that if authorities fail to provide satisfactory solutions to their demands, a decision on the next phase of the trade union action will be taken on September 24.

“On the 24th of September, representatives from 25 trade unions will meet again. If no constructive discussions take place within the next two days, we will be compelled to move to the final stage of trade union action. Whether it will be a one-day strike, a token strike, or an indefinite strike — we will clearly announce our decision on Wednesday,” he said.

CEB unions have emphasized that continued inaction or lack of engagement from authorities will result in an escalation of their trade union efforts.

Police have recovered a 9mm pistol, two T-56 magazines, 115 rounds of T-56 ammunition, and a hand grenade, suspected to belong to Sampath Manamperi.

The items were discovered buried in a plot of land in Middeniya, the Police Media Spokesman stated.

Investigations revealed that these firearms and ammunition were reportedly provided to Sampath Manamperi by underworld figure ‘Backhoe Saman’ around two months ago.

Interrogations further indicated that Sampath Manamperi had buried the firearms and ammunition behind the house of a female acquaintance.

Sampath Manamperi is currently in remand over the earlier recovery of buried containers containing chemicals.

The Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court on September 17 granted the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) permission to detain Sampath Manamperi for seven days for questioning. He is accused of concealing two containers of raw materials reportedly used in the production of the drug ‘Ice,’ allegedly belonging to underworld figure Kehelbaddara Padme.

Following the court order, PNB officers are questioning Sampath Manamperi regarding the recent discovery of the two containers in Middeniya.

Sampath Manamperi had surrendered to the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court on September 17.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered that former Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa be further remanded until September 30.

The order was issued as Rajapaksa remains in custody over allegations of offenses committed under the Public Property Act.

The court was scheduled to consider his bail application today (22).

However, the Chief Magistrate ruled that there were no sufficient grounds to grant bail at this time, and ordered that the suspect remain in remand custody.

President’s Counsel Anuja Premarathna, appearing for Rajapaksa, informed the court that his client was in poor health.

Taking this into consideration, the Chief Magistrate directed prison authorities to ensure the suspect receives appropriate medical treatment.

Shasheendra Rajapaksa was arrested by the Bribery Commission on August 6 in connection with allegations that he unlawfully obtained compensation amounting to Rs. 8,850,000 for property—including a building—constructed without authorization on land belonging to the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority in Sewanagala.

The property was reportedly damaged during the Aragalaya protests, and Rajapaksa is accused of exerting pressure on officials to secure the compensation.

The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Mobile Service Week, organized by the Ministry of Labor, begins today (22).

The opening event will take place in Jaffna at 9.00 a.m. under the patronage of Deputy Labor Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe.

After the launch, the program will continue across the country.

According to the Ministry, the service will help EPF members with their issues, provide job opportunities through job fairs, and offer legal advice and guidance.

Authorities in Tangalle have discovered a large stock of illegal drugs, including over 200 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (‘Ice’) and heroin.

The discovery was made this morning (22) when police found two dead bodies inside an abandoned house under renovation in Seenimodara. A lorry parked on the premises contained a massive quantity of narcotics.

Earlier, police had recovered 10 packets of ‘Ice’ from a smaller lorry near the same house. A thorough search later led to the seizure of the larger stock of drugs.

Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) for the Southern Province, Kitsiri Jayalath, said most of the narcotics were hidden in the larger lorry.

Police also found four modern firearms inside the vehicle, suggesting possible links to organized crime.

A 23-year-old man has drowned in a hotel swimming pool in Kandawala, Katana.

The victim, who was from Maussakelle in Maskeliya, had been swimming with friends when the incident occurred, police said.

Katana Police have launched further investigations.

A Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) employee has been arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) for allegedly providing shelter to Sampath Manamperi. Manamperi is currently in remand in connection with the recent discovery of a buried container containing chemicals used in the production of the drug ‘Ice’ in Middeniya.

The PNB is conducting further investigations into the matter, including the extent of the employee’s involvement in the case.

At the invitation of the Japanese Government, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will make an Official Visit to Japan from September 27–30, 2025.

During the visit, he will meet His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and hold summit talks with the Japanese Prime Minister on matters of mutual interest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism announced.

The President will also speak at a Business Forum in Tokyo attended by leading Japanese companies and investors, focusing on new economic opportunities in Sri Lanka.

In addition, he will take part in “EXPO 2025 Osaka” as a Guest of the Government of Japan on the occasion of Sri Lanka Day, showcasing the country’s culture and economic potential to a global audience.

He is also expected to meet with members of the Sri Lankan community living in Japan.

President Dissanayake will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and other senior officials.

According to the Ministry, the visit will help strengthen and deepen the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Sri Lanka and Japan.