News

Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa appeared before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today after an arrest warrant had been issued against him.

Representing Weerawansa, Attorney-at-Law Manjula Pathiraja told the court that his client had been unable to reach the court at the scheduled time because his vehicle had broken down.

The defence subsequently asked the court to withdraw the arrest warrant issued against the former minister.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama, however, directed the defence to submit the request formally by way of a motion tomorrow.

The matter will therefore be taken up again when the defence makes the formal request before court.

Sri Lanka is set to mark a new step in renewable energy development with the inauguration of the country’s first Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and the “Diyajanani” floating solar power plant in Dambulla today (18).

The two projects are scheduled to be inaugurated under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The Battery Energy Storage System, constructed in Anuradhapura, has a capacity of 10 megawatts and is intended to strengthen the country’s renewable energy capacity while improving the stability of the national electricity grid.

Meanwhile, the “Diyajanani” floating solar power project has been constructed on Ibbankatuwa Wewa in Dambulla as part of the Government’s national programme to expand electricity generation through renewable energy sources.

The floating solar facility is expected to contribute an additional 5 megawatts to the national grid and provide electricity to around 10,000 households.

The inauguration of both projects is scheduled to take place today, with the floating solar power plant set to be inaugurated by the President this afternoon.

The Court of Appeal has scheduled September 30 to deliver its decision on a writ petition filed by Parliamentarian Dilith Jayaweera.

The petition seeks an order quashing a complaint lodged against Jayaweera before the Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with an allegation of contempt of court.

The matter was taken up today before a three-member bench chaired by President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya.

Following consideration of the petition, the bench announced that its order would be delivered on September 30.

An Assistant Controller attached to Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over allegations of helping an organised criminal obtain an illegally prepared passport.

The arrest was carried out yesterday (17) by officers from the CID’s Special Investigations Unit at the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

According to Police, the suspect is a 42-year-old resident of Gampaha.

The CID’s Special Investigations Unit has launched further investigations into the circumstances surrounding the alleged preparation of the passport and the official’s involvement in the matter.

A river that is home to about 500 saltwater crocodiles has been given the OK to host Olympic and Paralympic rowing and canoeing events at the 2032 Brisbane Games.

The course on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, Queensland, has passed an independent technical assessment into its suitability.

The assessment did not consider the crocodiles but instead looked at “how the course would perform under a range of conditions, weather patterns, water levels and flood risk at both Games time and throughout the period leading into the Games”.

The report was commissioned by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA), which noted, external that the Fitzroy River Flatwater Facility “is already a training and competition venue for flatwater sports, supporting school state championships, local regattas, and national team training camps”.

As a recognised rowing facility, contingency plans are in place at events for when crocodiles are spotted and Olympic officials have previously been assured of rower safety.

World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide, formerly International Canoe Federation, both endorsed the course.

“Based on the extensive analysis undertaken, we now know that the Fitzroy River is capable of providing fair competition conditions during the period of the Games, consistent with the requirements of Olympic and Paralympic Rowing,” World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland said., external

Paddle Worldwide President Thomas Konietzko said: “The quality and depth of the technical work undertaken has significantly improved our understanding of the field of play and provides confidence to us and our athletes that the course can deliver fair competition for Canoe Sprint athletes.”

Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris played down the issue of crocodiles last year.

“There are sharks in the ocean and we’re still surfing... it’s a can do, not a can’t do - please change the mindset here,” he said at the time.

Speaking on Thursday about the venue having now been given the go-ahead, he said: “The endorsement provides additional certainty as we move into the next phase of venue planning and Games delivery, ensuring all future design and operational work continues to focus solely on Rockhampton.”

Saltwater crocodiles - known locally as Salties - live in both freshwater and saltwater and can grow to be in excess of six metres long. (BBC sport)

Sri Lankan authorities will begin strictly enforcing the requirement for drivers and passengers to wear seat belts when travelling on expressways from tomorrow (19).

Director of the Traffic Control and Road Safety Division, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manoj Ranagala, said the approximately one-year grace period granted for compliance with the requirement will end today (18).

From tomorrow, drivers and passengers found travelling on expressways without wearing seat belts will face legal action.

Police will also prevent vehicles that are not fitted with seat belts from entering expressways, SSP Ranagala said.

The requirement applies to passengers seated in both the front and rear seats of vehicles using expressways.

SSP Ranagala stressed that the strict enforcement of the law is intended to reduce the risk of serious injuries and deaths resulting from road accidents, rather than simply to impose penalties.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Council for Road Safety Manjula Kularatne said the mandatory seat belt requirement had been introduced approximately one year ago, but additional time was provided for owners of older vehicles in which seat belts had not been installed by manufacturers.

Several extensions had been granted to allow such vehicle owners to install the required safety equipment. However, the final grace period will expire today.

Kularatne said there would be no further extension, noting that vehicle owners had been given nearly a year to comply with the requirement.

Police have been informed to enforce the relevant regulations, and all drivers and passengers using expressways will be required to wear seat belts from tomorrow.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has been further remanded until September 29, 2026, by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

Rajapaksa was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over allegations that he accepted a Rs. 100 million bribe in connection with the procurement of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama issued the order after hearing submissions from both sides.

Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara appeared for CIABOC, while President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando represented Rajapaksa.

The court also ordered that a decision on the MP’s bail application will be announced on September 29.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has been brought before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court following his arrest and subsequent remand.

Rajapaksa was taken into custody by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on September 4.

The arrest followed several hours of questioning by CIABOC, during which Rajapaksa provided a statement concerning the controversial Airbus transaction.

He was subsequently remanded and has now been produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court in connection with the case.

The Department of Railways says train services are continuing despite a strike launched by several railway trade unions, with office trains operating as scheduled today.

Railway Transport Superintendent Asanka Samarasinghe said all office train services operated yesterday and continued to run today despite the ongoing trade union action.

He said office trains on all railway lines are also expected to operate as usual this evening.

The Intercity train from Kankesanthurai to Colombo is scheduled to operate this afternoon, while the night mail services between Kankesanthurai and Colombo, in both directions, are also expected to run tonight.

However, Samarasinghe stressed that passenger safety remains the primary consideration before any train service is operated.

Accordingly, the Badulla–Nanu Oya service was not operated because the safety of the railway track could not be confirmed in advance. No arrangements have been made to operate trains along that route for the same reason.

Meanwhile, passengers whose railway stations have been closed due to the strike have been advised to purchase their tickets through www.pravesha.lk.

The Railway Department requested passengers affected by station closures to use the online platform to obtain tickets for their journeys.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the United National Party (UNP) have agreed to form a common policy alliance to protect democratic institutions and provide economic relief to the public.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa announced the major political realignment on Thursday (17) during an academic conference at the National Library and Documentation Services Board auditorium in Colombo.

The event, organised by the Alumni Association of the D.S. Senanayake School of Political Science, brought together former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, senior politicians and leading academics.

Warning against a growing centralisation of power under the current government, Premadasa said a strong democratic alternative was now essential to safeguard fundamental rights.

He noted that the cooperation between the two traditional political rivals was not designed to share executive positions or gain short term electoral advantages.

He said that the alliance represented a permanent break from past transactional deals in favour of a public centred, progressive agenda.

He also highlighted the severe pressures currently facing micro, small and medium enterprises, arguing that targeted welfare and state support for entrepreneurs were vital components needed to rebuild the national production economy.

The Opposition Leader said that Sri Lanka must reject both extreme left wing and extreme right wing economic doctrines in favour of a pragmatic middle path originally championed by former President J.R. Jayewardene.

He observed that a modern state must use the wealth created by an open market to fund robust social safety nets for vulnerable citizens.

Drawing parallels with welfare systems in developed democracies like the United Kingdom, he pointed to historic national projects including the Mahaweli scheme, Gam Udawa, Mahapola scholarships and Yowunpura as evidence that economic growth and social welfare can successfully coexist.

The Opposition leader urged all democratic factions to unite behind a participation driven national programme to restore long term stability to the country.