News

An 11-year-old boy from Dewahuwa, Galewela, drowned while bathing in the Dewahuwa Reservoir with his father and relatives, police said. He was pulled under by strong currents and later recovered by locals, but was pronounced dead upon admission to Galewela Hospital.

Former chairman of the Wattegama Urban Council Ravindra Bandara and businessman Lakshitha Manoj Weerabahu have been arrested in connection with an alleged illegal vehicle import and registration scheme, police said Saturday.

Authorities said two Jeep vehicles, suspected to have been illegally imported and registered with falsified details at the Department of Motor Vehicles, were also taken into custody.

Bandara, who also previously served as chairman of the Wattegama Urban Council, and Weerabahu were arrested following investigations into forged data entries and false registration records.

Police said further inquiries are under way to determine the scale of the operation and whether additional individuals are involved.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is preparing to unveil a new political initiative titled “Mahinda Sulanga Samaga Namal Suwanda”, according to party sources.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has remained in Tangalle following his departure from the official residence in Colombo, recently resumed active political engagements, including meetings with party loyalists and supporters in the South.

A senior party spokesperson said this latest initiative echoes the earlier “Mahinda Sulanga” movement that emerged following Rajapaksa’s exit from the presidency in 2015.

(lankaleader.lk)

The Ministry of Education has announced the school calendar for 2026 covering government and government-approved private schools.

The schedule also specifies term dates for Muslim schools. The first term of the new year will commence on 1 January 2026.

The Centre for Human Rights and Research has urged the government to promptly declare a clear timeline and electoral process for the long-overdue provincial council elections, which have remained unheld for more than ten years.

In a statement issued this week, the Centre stressed that authorities should make their plans public “without delay,” particularly if they intend to fulfil the pledge contained in the government’s election manifesto to conduct the polls within this year.

According to a senior government source quoted in a weekend newspaper, the administration is currently weighing the option of holding the elections under the previous proportional representation system.

Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon, Executive Director of the Centre, underlined that provincial councils must once again serve as institutions of “governance by the people, for the people.” He further noted that it is the shared responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that elections are conducted swiftly and that elected representatives resume their role in managing these vital regional bodies.

SJB Member of Parliament Kabir Hashim has been appointed as the new Chair of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) for the first session of the Tenth Parliament.

This appointment fills the vacancy created following the resignation of Member of Parliament Aravinda Senarath, who served as the Chair of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) for the first session of the Tenth Parliament, from the position on August 06, 2025.

The Committee convened in Parliament today (12) to elect the new Chairman, according to the Department of Communication of Parliament.

For the position of Chair, the name of MP Kabir Hashim was proposed and seconded respectively by Members of Parliament J.C. Alawathuwala and Rohitha Abeygunawardena.

Subsequently, addressing the committee, the new Chair stated that he expects to carry out his duties in a neutral manner, free from political bias, with the cooperation of all members.

He further expressed his special appreciation for the work performed by former Chair MP Aravinda Senarath and stated that he expects to carry out the responsibilities of his office even more effectively.

Moreover, the new Chair indicated that he is prepared to take the necessary measures to further systematize the functions of the COPA Committee by formulating new plans, the statement said.

The occasion was also attended by Deputy Minister Sugath Thilakaratne, MPs M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Rohitha Abeygunawardhana, J.C. Alawathuwala, Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, Hector Appuhamy, Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana, Oshani Umanga, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, Thushari Jayasingha, M.A.M. Thahir, Lal Premanath, Chanaka Madugoda, as well as Parliament officials including Director (Legislative Services) and Acting Director (Communication) M. Jayalath Perera.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that under the current government, the President’s Fund, previously used as a privilege for select groups, is now being utilized 100% for the benefit of the people.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a Central Province program at the Kandy District Secretariat, held to honor students who excelled in the 2023 (2024) and 2024 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examinations across all subject streams and districts. Certificates were presented to the outstanding students by the Prime Minister herself.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Amarasuriya extended her best wishes to the students and their parents, emphasizing that these young achievers are expected to contribute to the country’s future transformation through the opportunities provided by the President’s Fund.

“When we talk about the President’s Fund, what we mostly hear is about misuse by privileged groups to increase their own benefits. Today, that situation has completely changed. We are pleased that the Fund is now being used entirely for its true purpose, bringing its benefits closer to the people in every region,” she said.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to human resource development, Dr. Amarasuriya added, “We are investing in education not just financially, but across all aspects. We need a generation of humane citizens who can think in line with a changing world and bring meaningful change.”

Speaking at the event, Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne said, “The President’s Fund belongs to the people, and it is our responsibility to ensure it reaches them. Amidst this ongoing democratic transformation, the development of human resources is crucial, especially given Sri Lanka’s large youth population.”

Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Prasanna Gunasena emphasized the importance of nurturing socially aware students who can think beyond conventional frameworks to help build the country.

The event was attended by senior government officials including the Governor of the Central Province Prof. S. B. S. Abayakoon, Deputy Ministers Dr. Madhura Seneviratne, Gamagedara Dissanayake, Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, Members of Parliament, officials of the President’s Fund, administrative officers, students, and parents.

Secretary General of Parliament Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera stated that the second reading of the Appropriation Bill (the budget speech/presentation of budget proposals) for the year 2026 will be held on 7th November, 2025, followed by the budget debate from 8th November to 5th December, as decided by the Committee on Parliamentary Business.

This decision was made at yesterday (11) meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business, chaired by Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramarathne.

Accordingly, the Secretary General stated that the first reading of the Appropriation Bill will be presented to Parliament on 26th September, 2025.

In his capacity as the Minister of Finance, the Hon. President will present the second reading of the Appropriation Bill (the Budget Speech) on 7th November, and it has been decided to allocate six days, from 8th November to 14th November, for the second reading debate. The vote on the second reading will take place on 14th November at 6:00 PM.

The dates for next year’s school examinations have been announced.

The Ministry of Education stated that the 2025 GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examinations will be held from February 17 to February 26.

The Advanced Level (A/L) examinations are scheduled to be conducted from August 10 to September 5.

The Grade 5 scholarship examination will take place on August 9.

The GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination for 2026 is scheduled to be held from December 8 to December 17.

A special meeting between former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, was held last morning (11) at the political party office on Flower Road, Colombo.

Discussions focused on the political situation in Sri Lanka as well as developments at the international level.

Prior to this, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa also held a similar discussion with the Chinese Ambassador, before leaving his residence in Colombo yesterday.

The Chinese Ambassador is scheduled to meet with another senior former politician in the near future to continue discussions on related matters.

The Commissioner General of Motor Traffic has announced the cancellation of a circular issued on 2 June 2023, which had permitted the fitting of decorations and accessories on passenger buses.

The cancellation takes effect from 9 September 2025, and bus operators are required to comply with the updated regulations.

Former MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera, who was remanded until today, has been granted bail by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court.

Ve. Athuraliye Rathana Thera has been released on a cash bail of Rs. 10,000 and two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each.

The former MP was wanted by the Police in connection with the alleged 2020 abduction of Our Power of People Party (OPPP) General Secretary Ven. Wedinigama Wimalatissa Thera.

Ven. Rathana Thera is accused of being linked to the abduction of Ven. Wimalatissa Thera, whom he is said to have forced to sign documents enabling him to obtain a National List seat in Parliament.

The former MP is said to have evaded arrest after the Colombo Crimes Division officers visited his Rajagiriya temple, as well as other temples, meditation centres, and housing complexes, but were unable to locate him.

The Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court also issued an arrest warrant for Ven. Rathana Thera on 18th August, after which he appeared before the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court on 29th August and was remanded.