News

Opposition parties today held a joint press conference in Colombo condemning the arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Speaking under the theme “Let’s defeat the constitutional dictatorship,” the parties accused the government of using the law to target political opponents. Leaders from several opposition groups said the detention of Wickremesinghe was part of a broader effort to weaken democratic institutions and silence dissent.

The ‘Environment Pioneer President’s Medal Awarding Ceremony - 2025’ was held this morning (21) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The event, jointly organised annually by the Central Environmental Authority and the Ministry of Education, recognises and appreciates students with exceptional knowledge of environmental conservation and management by presenting them with Presidential Medals.

At this year’s ceremony, the 11th of its kind, 192 Environment Pioneers were awarded Presidential Medals by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Teachers who had trained schoolchildren as Environment Pioneers were also felicitated at the occasion.

A special commemorative publication prepared for the ‘Environment Pioneer President’s Medal Awards Ceremony – 2025’ was also presented to the President.

Addressing the gathering, Minister of Environment Dammika Patabendi stated that today the entire world is facing the adverse consequences of environmental pollution. He noted that the destruction of the environment, which earlier generations did not experience, has been brought about by human activity and it is now the responsibility of everyone to reverse this damage and create a healthier environment for all living beings.

The Minister further pointed out that the present government’s policy statement places significant emphasis on environmental protection and has already introduced a number of related programmes. Among them, he highlighted the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, which has now been launched in full force.

He stressed that the government, under the leadership of the President, prioritises advancing people’s lives while maintaining a balance between nature and development. The Minister urged all medal recipients to act as strong guardians in this mission, working to ensure that future generations inherit a greener and healthier environment than the one we live in today.

The event was also attended by Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody; Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Madhura Seneviratne; Secretary to the Ministry of Environment K.R. Uduwawala; Secretary to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Nalaka Kaluwewa; Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority Prof. Tilak Hewawasam; its Director General, Padmasiri Moonamale; provincial directors of education; school principals; and other distinguished guests.

Former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, named as a suspect in the 2015 Central Bank bond fraud case, has been issued a notice to appear before court on September 26.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali issued the order yesterday, following a request by the Bribery Commission.

Although a notice was issued last year to Mahendran, who is reportedly in Singapore, officials informed court that it had not been properly executed.

Accordingly, the Bribery Commission requested that the notice be reissued in English. The Chief Magistrate granted the request and issued the order.

The Bribery Commission has filed the case alleging that the government incurred losses from the sale of bonds worth over Rs. 10 billion to Perpetual Treasuries Company during a Central Bank auction on February 27, 2015.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) yesterday, has been remanded.

The Fort Magistrate’s Court remanded Tennakoon until 27th August after he was presented before the court today.

The CID had arrested Deshabandu Tennakoon in connection with a case related to the ‘Aragalaya’ people’s struggle in 2022, in which he was named as a suspect.

The United National Party (UNP) held a press conference earlier today (23), raising concerns about the motive behind the arrest and detention of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

During the briefing, the party’s assistant leader, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, said that while they respect the judiciary, social media discussions have raised concerns of political prosecution following the former President’s arrest.

He also played a recording of Ranil Wickremesinghe, made before his arrest yesterday, in which the former President is heard saying, “I have always worked for the country, not for a personal agenda. What we see today is the true picture of this regime.”

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court issued a formal notice to former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, instructing him to appear before the court on August 29.

The notice was issued by Chief Magistrate Tanuja Lakmali Jayatunga, under Section 60(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, following a motion filed by the Bribery Commission.

During the hearing, Assistant Director of Legal Affairs Sulochana Hettiarachchi, appearing on behalf of the Bribery Commission, stated that in order to obtain an order under Section 60(1), supporting evidence must be presented.

Accordingly, two investigating officers were summoned to provide testimony regarding an alleged irregular project involving the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour and the use of the Weligowwa fishing vessel.

The officers—Chief Inspector Tushara Sampath Pushpakumara and Inspector M. Wimalaratne of the Bribery Commission’s Investigations Division—testified that the investigation was initiated based on an anonymous complaint.

They revealed that the project had caused a financial loss of Rs. 26.2 million to the Government of Sri Lanka.

Following preliminary investigations, former Chairman of the Fisheries Corporation Upali Liyanage and former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne were named as suspects.

The investigating officers informed the court that the first suspect, Upali Liyanage, was previously arrested and released on bail under court orders. However, the second suspect, former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, has reportedly evaded the Bribery Commission.

Investigators informed the court that although a notice was issued on August 7 requesting the former minister to appear before the Commission and provide a statement, he failed to do so.

Instead, his legal counsel submitted a prescription slip citing illness, in lieu of a formal medical report.

Due to his continued absence, investigators obtained a search warrant and inspected five locations where the minister was believed to be staying. However, he was not found at any of those premises.

Investigators further stated that the inability to obtain a statement from the suspect has hindered the final stages of the investigation.

Therefore, they requested the court to issue a formal notice under Section 60(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, compelling the suspect to appear. After reviewing the evidence, the magistrate issued the order accordingly.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was transferred from the Prison Hospital to the Colombo National Hospital earlier today, has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital, Dr. Rukshan Bellana, said doctors recommended moving him from the Emergency Treatment Unit to the ICU due to his medical condition.

Hospital sources reported that Wickremesinghe was transferred following a deterioration in his health.

The Lanka Salt Company has announced a reduction in the prices of iodized mixed Lak Salt.

The Chairman of the company stated that the price of a 400g packet of iodized salt powder has been reduced by Rs. 20, to Rs. 100.

He further said that the price of a 1kg packet of iodized salt powder has been reduced by Rs. 30, to Rs. 200.

Addressing the media today, he said that the price of a 1kg crystal salt packet has been reduced to Rs. 150.

Noting that the price reduction will be effective starting next week, he added that a 400g packet of the company’s salt powder will be available at Sathosa outlets for Rs. 90.

He further explained that the price reduction was introduced to provide relief to the public, as salt harvesting has already begun at the Mahalevaya, Bundala, and Palatupana salterns in Hambantota.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today, has been remanded by the Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Wickremesinghe has been remanded until 26th August after being produced before the court today.

Ranil Wickremesinghe became the first former head of state to be arrested in Sri Lanka, after being taken into custody by the CID this morning, after recording a statement in connection with an overseas trip.

He was summoned before the CID with regard to an ongoing probe into an overseas visit to London that investigators say included private events but was financed by state funds.

Ranil Wickremesinghe is accused of having misused state funds during his visit to the United Kingdom in late 2023, during his presidency.

According to a police B-report submitted to a Colombo court, the former president travelled to the United Kingdom to attend his wife’s PhD graduation ceremony at the University of Wolverhampton on September 22 and 23, 2023.

The visit, which had no official government purpose, was tacked onto Wickremesinghe’s state trip to Cuba and the United States, with the president flying from the U.S. to Britain for this private event.

A delegation accompanied him on the London leg, and roughly Rs. 16.9 million in Sri Lankan government funds were spent on the trip.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today.

It is reported that Deshabandu Tennakoon was arrested in connection with a case related to the ‘Aragalaya’ people’s struggle in 2022.

Deshabandu Tennakoon was named as a suspect in the case.

His arrest comes after the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by Tennakoon.

Tennakoon had sought anticipatory bail to prevent his arrest in connection with an ongoing investigation, but the court refused to grant the request after considering submissions.

A special felicitation program organized by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) in honor of Dr. Nanda Malini was held on August 22 at the Kumaranatunga Munidasa Hall of the Corporation, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The purpose of this program was to pay tribute to the great service rendered by Dr. Nanda Malini for more than nearly seven decades to the field of music in Sri Lanka as well as to the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. As a token of appreciation, a building of the Corporation was also named after her and ceremonially opened.

Accordingly, within the premises of the Corporation, a portrait of Dr. Nanda Malini was unveiled, and its 9th Cabin was officially declared open under the name Dr. Nanda Malini Building” by the Prime Minister together with Dr. Nanda Malini herself.

Thereafter, addressing the ceremonial gathering, the Prime Minister stated:

Seventies years ago, a little girl came to this Broadcasting Corporation to sing for the children’s program ‘Lama Pitiya.’ On that day, she sang the first song ‘Dura Pawane Me Kulu Guwane.’ Recognizing her extraordinary vocal talent, Dr. Pandit Amaradeva offered her the opportunity to sing for Sri Lanka’s first color film ‘Ran Muthu Duwa.’ That little girl singer recorded her voice at this very Corporation for the beautiful lyrics ‘Galana Gagaki Jivithe Dayalu Lokaye.

Today, the opening of a building of the Broadcasting Corporation in the name of that very girl is indeed a remarkable occasion. That is Dr. Nanda Malini who is an epitome of music in this nation.

Nanda Malini was never just another name in our musical tradition. Beginning with Ran Muthu Duwa, her artistic journey was never limited merely to conventional themes such as love and separation. She fearlessly directed her voice toward contemporary issues of our nation such as oppression, corruption, violence, and social injustice.

The voice of Dr. Nanda Malini is an Intangible Cultural Heritage of this country. The joy you have given us, the inspiration drawn from your songs, and the strength you provided to this nation even in its darkest times through your music, we are deeply grateful for that noble service.

This occasion was graced by the presence of the Venerable Pathegama Gnaneswara Thero and Maha sangha, Rev. Saman Maximus, Minister of Health and Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Deputy Minister of Health and Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne, Chairman of the SLBC Prof. Udhitha Gayashan Gunasekara, along with artists and a large number of distinguished guests.

Postal trade unions have announced that their strike action will continue uninterrupted, despite a successful discussion at the Presidential Secretariat today.

Following a meeting with the Director General of Public Relations at the Presidential Secretariat, Dharmasiri Gamage, the unions shared their stance with the media.

“We request an immediate meeting with the Minister. After that discussion, we are prepared to end the continuous strike. Until then, the strike will remain in effect,” President of the Association of Postal and Telecommunication Officers, E.G.C. Niroshan, said.

The strike, which began on Sunday (17), is based on 19 key demands. As a result, operations at post offices across the country have been severely disrupted.