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Former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa, who was arrested in connection with corruption allegations, has been remanded until 19th August.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court remanded Shasheendra Rajapaksa after he was arrested by the Bribery Commission earlier today.

According to the Bribery Commission, the former State Minister was arrested in connection with a probe into corruption and the misuse of a property belonging to the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority.

In a statement, the Bribery Commission said Shasheendra Rajapaksa is accused of illegally constructing a farm building on land belonging to the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority, located near the Kiriibbanwewa reservoir in Sevanagala.

Following the destruction of this building during the ‘Aragalaya’ public protests on 09 May 2022, it was later confirmed that the land belonged to the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority.

Despite this, Rajapaksa is alleged to have pressured relevant officials, misusing his authority, to secure approval for the reconstruction of the building.

The Bribery Commission says these actions constitute charges of corruption, conspiracy, and illegal occupation of state property.

Shasheendra Rajapaksa was arrested on charges under Section 5(1) of the amended 1982 Act No. 12, as per the 1999 Act No. 28, which addresses offences related to the misuse of state property.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has emphasized that there will be zero tolerance for violence or ragging in universities. However, she assured that there will be no interference in student protests, struggles, or student politics.

She made these remarks during a discussion with the academic staff, administrative officers, and students of the University of Vavuniya, following the opening of the university’s newly constructed library building.

The Prime Minister further noted that many new university entrants lack the necessary foundational skills and qualities expected at the higher education level. As a result, universities are compelled to teach what should have been covered in school. She stressed that the shortcomings in school education are placing a significant burden on the country’s higher education system.

“We must ensure that every child leaving school is ready either for the workforce or for higher education. That’s something we must not forget. Through ongoing education reforms, we aim to address this gap,” she said.

She also reiterated the government’s stance on student activism: “We place no barriers on students raising their voices, protesting, or engaging in politics. But we will not allow any form of violence, ragging, or anything that harms the peaceful student community within universities. There will be no forgiveness for such acts.”

Speaker of House Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne has endorsed the certificate on the Companies (Amendment) Bill today (04), the Department of Communication of Parliament said.

The Companies (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament with amendments on July 23.

Accordingly, the amended Act introduces several provisions, including allowing the incorporation of a company with a single shareholder, extending the notice period for the public when changing a company’s name to 20 working days, prohibiting the issuance of bearer shares or bearer share warrants, requiring notification to the company regarding the issuance of bearer shares or bearer share warrants and mandating the disclosure of the bearer’s details to the company registrar within 60 days, requiring companies to divide shares within 20 days from the date of incorporation.

Further, the Act introduces new provisions related to “beneficial ownership of shares”, including disclosure of beneficial ownership information by secretaries and directors to the registrar, maintenance of records by the Registrar, making such information available to the public, mandating companies or the registrar to provide details of beneficial owners to government authorities, introducing new definitions for “beneficial ownership” and “effective control”.

Additionally, the amendments provide for empowering the registrar to extend the deadlines for companies to submit certain documents and information, allowing deregistered companies to re-register within a specified time and reclaim properties previously held by the government, expanding the scope of referring disputes to the Company Disputes Board for resolution.

This bill was presented for first reading in Parliament on June 5, 2025, by the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development.

Accordingly, the Companies (Amendment) Bill is now enacted as the Companies (Amendment) Act No. 12 of 2025.

The Judicial Service Commission has taken steps to suspend the duties of Thilina Gamage, who served as the District Judge and Magistrate of Moratuwa.

This suspension was carried out due to an ongoing investigation by the Judicial Service Commission concerning allegations of misconduct against him.

The Commission formally notified the Magistrate in writing yesterday (01 Aug), requesting a response within 21 days.

The investigation focuses on his involvement in an elephant trafficking incident. In June, the Judicial Service Commission filed a charge sheet against Thilina Gamage.

He was accused of committing an offence under the Public Property Act by possessing a baby elephant named “Sakura” using a fraudulently obtained permit. The Attorney General had filed a case against him under 25 indictments.

The Criminal Investigation Department had launched an investigation regarding the illegal possession of the baby elephant, and in May 2015, the elephant was handed back to the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Subsequently, in May 2016, the Judicial Service Commission suspended Thilina Gamage’s duties while he was serving as the Additional Magistrate of Colombo.

On November 7, 2019, indictments were filed before Colombo High Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga against Thilina Gamage, Chandraratna Bandara Yatawara, and two others.

However, on December 16, 2021, the Attorney General’s Department dropped the charges against Thilina Gamage due to insufficient evidence.

Sandra Perera, the private secretary to former Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe provided a statement to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today (4) after that lasted more than six hours.

The prolonged questioning session is part of an ongoing investigation.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) summoned Sandra Perera, a personal secretary to ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to provide a statement regarding an investigation into a foreign trip allegedly funded through the Presidential Secretariat’s financial allocations.

Perera arrived at the CID headquarters around 9:00 a.m. today (4), where officers began recording her statement in connection with the inquiry.

The investigation focuses on a foreign visit conducted between September 13 and 24, 2023, which is suspected to have involved the use Presidential Secretariat’s financial allocations.

In a related development, Saman Ekanayake, the former Secretary to the President, has also been summoned to appear before the CID tomorrow morning (5) to provide a statement regarding the same matter.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, has emphasized the importance of extending digital transaction infrastructure to rural communities and actively promoting its usage among the general public.

He made these remarks while addressing a digital transaction promotion event organized by the CBSL, held at the Dambulla Economic Center yesterday (01 August).

Speaking at the event, Dr. Weerasinghe noted that while the infrastructure required for digital transactions—such as online banking, QR code payments, and platforms like GovPay for government services—is already in place, actual usage remains significantly low, especially outside the Western Province.

“Many people, particularly in rural areas, continue to rely on cash transactions—notes and coins—which they perceive as more convenient. However, when examined closely, cash transactions entail additional time and costs for both businesses and consumers,” the Governor said.

He further stated that financial institutions and banks have a crucial role to play in promoting and facilitating digital payment systems.

“It is not enough to simply promote these services at events. These systems need to reach the villages in order to build public trust. There remains an unfounded fear regarding taxation associated with digital payments,” he added.

He further remarked that if an individual is liable for taxation, they will be subject to it whether the transaction is made in cash or digitally. “No one can avoid that,” he added.

Jaffna District MP Archchuna Ramanathan reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today.

Speaking to the media before entering the CID premises, MP Archchuna said he had been summoned to record a statement today.

Upon further inquiries, he revealed the statement was to be recorded regarding a post on Facebook.

Jaffna District Member of Parliament Ramanathan Archchuna has left the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) after recording a statement.

The Department of Railways has decided to launch a new luxury train named ‘Ella Weekend Express’, operating from Colombo Fort to Badulla, it is reported.

The Railway Department says the new luxury train is scheduled to commence service on 16 August.

The Railway Department says this new train service is being introduced to cater to the increased demand from tourists.

The new luxury train, which consists of 350 seats, will depart every Saturday at 5:30 am from Colombo Fort to Badulla.

The train will commence its return journey on Sundays at 9:00 pm from Badulla to Colombo Fort.

The validity of the Personal Identification Number (PIN) issued to taxpayers has been extended until November 30.

The Inland Revenue Department has confirmed that the PIN is valid for all categories of taxpayers, including sole proprietors, partnerships, and corporate entities.

Accordingly, filing tax returns online for the 2024/2025 assessment year is mandatory.

The PIN is the unique number issued to taxpayers to access their accounts within the Inland Revenue Department’s Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS).

(CNN): On April 2, President Donald Trump declared a US economic emergency and announced tariffs of at least 10% across all countries, with rates even higher for 60 countries or trading blocs that have a high trade deficit with the US. He deemed it “Liberation Day.”

On Thursday (31), the president announced adjustments to some of those reciprocal tariffs ahead of his midnight deadline.

Here’s what’s different:

Angola: 32% to 15%
Bangladesh: 37% to 20%
Bosnia and Herzegovina: 35% to 30%
Botswana: 37% to 15%
Brunei: 24% to 25%
Cambodia: 49% to 19%
Cameroon: 11% to 15%
Chad: 13% to 15%
Côte d`Ivoire: 21% to 15%
Democratic Republic of the Congo: 11% to 15%
Equatorial Guinea: 13% to 15%
European Union: 20% to 15% (for most goods)
Falkland Islands: 41% to 10%
Fiji: 32% to 15%
Guyana: 38% to 15%
India: 26% to 25%
Indonesia: 32% to 19%
Iraq: 39% to 35%
Israel: 17% to 15%
Japan: 24% to 15%
Jordan: 20% to 15%
Kazakhstan: 27% to 25%
Laos: 48% to 40%
Lesotho: 50% to 15%
Libya: 31% to 30%
Leichtenstein: 37% to 15%
Madagascar: 47% to 15%
Malawi: 17% to 15%
Malaysia: 24% to 19%
Mauritius: 40% to 15%
Moldova: 31% to 25%
Mozambique: 16% to 15%
Myanmar: 44% to 40%
Namibia: 21% to 15%
Nauru: 30% to 15%
Nigeria: 14% to 15%
North Macedonia: 33% to 15%
Pakistan: 29% to 19%
Philippines: 17% to 19%
Serbia: 37% to 35%
South Korea: 30% to 15%
Sri Lanka: 44% to 20%
Switzerland: 31% to 39%
Taiwan: 32% to 20%
Thailand: 36% to 19%
Tunisia: 28% to 25%
Vanuatu: 22% to 15%
Vietnam: 46% to 20%
Zambia: 17% to 15%
Zimbabwe: 18% to 15%

Kasun Wellahewa, who served as the Additional Commissioner of the Department of Buddhist Affairs, has been appointed as the Acting Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs with immediate effect.

According to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the appointment follows the removal of Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs, Premasiri Rathnayake from the position.

The Cabinet has decided to remove Premasiri Rathnayake from his position as Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs due to allegations that he failed to properly fulfill his duties.

The Ministry of Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs had accused the Commissioner General of not effectively carrying out the responsibilities of the Department of Buddhist Affairs.

Accordingly, the ministry stated that the relevant charge sheet was submitted to the previous Cabinet, and the Cabinet therefore decided to remove him from his position.

Former Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Special Projects, S.M. Chandrasena, was released on bail today (1) by Colombo Chief Magistrate Tanuja Lakmali Jayatunga, in connection with a high-profile corruption investigation.

Chandrasena was granted bail under strict conditions, including a cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and two sureties of Rs. 5 million each.

The court also imposed a foreign travel ban and ordered the surrender of his passport.

The case is based on allegations that Chandrasena, in 2014, used his political influence to distribute government-funded seeds—worth Rs. 25 million—to his political allies in the Anuradhapura District, allegedly to gain electoral advantage ahead of the 2015 Presidential Election. The distribution was reportedly carried out by pressuring officials at the District Secretariat.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) arrested Chandrasena on July 4, citing financial loss to the state and abuse of public resources.

During today’s hearing, investigators informed the court that preliminary inquiries have been completed, and requested appropriate judicial orders.

After reviewing the case, the Chief Magistrate approved bail and scheduled the next hearing for January 9.