News

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (4) rejected the bail application submitted on behalf of Thusitha Halloluwa, who is currently in remand custody.

Accordingly, the Additional Magistrate ordered that the suspect be further remanded until September 18.

Halloluwa, a former Director of the National Lottery Board, was arrested and placed in remand custody in connection with a recent incident in Narahenpita, where shots were allegedly fired at the vehicle he was traveling in.

It has been reported that the Attorney General’s Department is preparing to file indictments in connection with more than 20 controversial incidents that occurred in the past.

Accordingly, a number of former ministers and officials are expected to face such indictments. Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Colombo Additional Magistrate, Liyan Warushavithana, yesterday (Sept. 2) that indictments have already been filed before the Colombo High Court against four suspects, including former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.

The case was filed on the allegation that, in late 2014, a sum of Rs. 61,461,100 obtained from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation under the pretext of providing relief to persons displaced by floods in the Bingiriya and Narammala areas of Kurunegala, had not been used for that purpose, but instead was utilized for propaganda activities during the 2015 Presidential Election.

The four accused are: former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa; his wife, Dr. Dhammika Shirani Sumanaratne, who served as his private secretary; former CPC Chairman S. Amarasekara; and Anura Senewiratne, the former coordinating secretary to the Minister.

Upon considering the submissions made by the CID, the Magistrate concluded the proceedings pending before the Magistrate’s Court in relation to the matter, directing that the accused should appear before the High Court once notice is received.

The four suspects have already been released on bail.

The Court of Appeal today (4) issued an interim order temporarily suspending proceedings in a case before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court against Retired Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Ravi Seneviratne, who currently serves as the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security.

The case, filed in 2023, pertains to allegations of driving under the influence and failing to prevent a traffic accident.

The order was delivered after considering a petition filed by Mr. Seneviratne, requesting that the case pending before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court be transferred to another jurisdiction.

The decision was handed down by a bench of the Court of Appeal comprising Justices Mayadunne Corea and Mahen Gopallawa, following their examination of the petition.

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (03) ordered the acquittal of former Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara from charges of criminal assault and criminal intimidation against an elevator operator at Police Headquarters.

The complaint had been lodged by A.H. Samarakoon Banda, an elevator operator attached to the Criminal Investigation Department and a resident of Ragama, alleging that on April 11, 2017, the former IGP attempted to assault him and threatened him with abusive language.

Announcing the verdict, the Fort Magistrate’s Court stated that it concluded the former IGP had not acted with the intent to commit an assault.

The strike launched by doctors at the Ratnapura Teaching Hospital, which lasted for three days, has been called off as of noon today (04).

The strike has been called off following the issuance of a letter by the Secretary to the Ministry of Health, removing the Director of the Ratnapura Teaching Hospital from his position and reassigning him to the Ministry of Health, the GMOA stated.

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Sri Lanka Police marks its 159th Anniversary Day today (03). The first police station was established on 3rd September 1866, with G.W.R. Campbell appointed as the first Inspector General of Police, and the date is regarded as the founding day of the Sri Lanka Police.

A special commemorative ceremony will be held today (03) at the Police Field Force Headquarters. In preparation for the event, the Colombo Traffic Division has announced a special traffic plan.

Accordingly, The bus halt in front of the Police Field Force Headquarters (on the Colombo outbound route) will be temporarily shifted to the bus halt at the Havelock Road–Fonseka Road junction from 2:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on 03.09.2025.

Heavy vehicle movement (containers and tippers) will be restricted along Havelock Road, between Thummulla Junction and Thibirigasyaya Junction, within the Bambalapitiya Police Division, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on 03.09.2025.

The Grade 5 Scholarship Examination for this year was held on 10th August, with a total of 308,026 applicants registered. Of these, 303,670 candidates appeared for the examination, and the Department of Examinations has reported that 51,969 students have successfully surpassed the qualifying marks.

Shanudi Amaya Ashwini of Sri Devananda College, Ambalangoda, has emerged as the island’s highest scorer in the 2025 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, achieving an impressive 198 marks.

In the Tamil medium category, Anandhasothi Lakshan from Jaffna Hindu Primary School claimed the highest score with 194 marks, showcasing outstanding academic excellence.

The results of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination can be accessed through the official websites of the Department of Examinations at www.doenets.lk or www.results.exams.gov.lk

Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who has been taken into custody and remanded, was produced before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Senaratne, against whom an arrest warrant had been issued, was taken into custody and remanded following his appearance before court on August 29.

On that occasion, Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka S. Bodaragama directed prison authorities to produce him before the Commission at 9.00 a.m. today (03) to record a statement.

On the night of the 3rd, the night mail train traveling from Trincomalee to Colombo struck a wild elephant in the Habarana–Puwakpitiya area. The incident occurred near milepost 128 between Habarana and Palugaswewa along the railway line.

According to wildlife officials, the elephant, estimated to be around 20 years old, sustained serious injuries, with its front right leg fractured in the collision. The animal was later found collapsed beside the railway track, our correspondent at the scene reported.

Local residents pointed out that visibility along this stretch of track is clear for a considerable distance, blaming the accident on reckless train driving.

#Wildlife officials from Ritigala and Kekirawa also have launched further inquiries into the incident and stated that veterinary treatment for the injured elephant’s leg will commence today (4th) at the Pandulagama Veterinary Unit.

Italy’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Maria Tripodi, is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka today (03).

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, she will remain in the country until the 5th of this month.

During her visit, Deputy Minister Tripodi will co-chair the first Sri Lanka–Italy Political Consultations with Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra, where an MoU will be signed to establish a formal framework for bilateral dialogue.

She is also scheduled to hold discussions with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mr. Vijitha Herath.

This marks the highest-level visit from Italy to Sri Lanka in nearly a decade.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake officially presented letters of appointment to 18 newly appointed High Court Judges during a ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (3).

According to the President’s Media Division, the appointments include 17 Special Grade Judicial Officers and one Senior State Counsel from the Attorney General’s Department, all of whom have now been elevated to the High Court bench.

The newly appointed High Court Judges:

1. Mr. S.S.K. Withana (District Judge)
2. Mr. A.M.I.S. Attanayake (District Judge)
3. Mr. A.M.M. Riyal (District Judge)
4. Mr. D.P. Mudunkotuwa (District Judge)
5. Mr. S.B.H.M.S. Herath (Additional District Judge)
6. Mr. J. Kajanideepalan (District Judge)
7. Mr. D.M.D.C. Bandara (Senior Assistant Secretary, Judicial Service Commission)
8. Ms. H.M.B.R. Wijeratne (Additional District Judge)
9. Mr. D.M.A. Seneviratne (Additional District Judge)
10. Mr. A.A. Anandaraja (Magistrate)
11. Mr. G.N. Perera (District Judge)
12. Mr. A. Judeson (District Judge)
13. Mrs. W.K.D.S. Weeratunga (District Judge)
14. Mr. R.B.M.D.R. Weligodapitiya (District Judge)
15. Ms. K.D.N.V. Lankapura (Magistrate)
16. Mr. D.M.R.D. Dissanayake (District Judge)
17. Mr. M.I.M. Rizvi (District Judge)
18. Mrs. A. Jayalakshi de Silva (Senior State Attorney)

The Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Resources has looked into how the compensation from the X-Press Pearl ship disaster has been used.

The Committee, chaired by MP Hector Appuhamy, asked for a detailed report showing the total compensation received, the payments made to fishermen, money spent on coastal protection, and the balance remaining.

It was revealed that Rs. 293 million meant for the fisheries sector is still unused. The Committee was unhappy that the money has not yet been given to fishermen.

Officials explained that some fishermen had migrated or not come forward to collect their compensation, but assured that the remaining funds will be paid out in the future.