News

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Satish Gamage, attached to the Cultural Division of the Police Field Force Headquarters, was arrested in connection with serious allegations of bribery and money laundering.

According to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, he is accused of operating three bank accounts under another individual’s name, through which he allegedly received illicit funds from organized criminals, individuals seeking police services, and other unlawful sources.

Investigators revealed that SSP Gamage is suspected of accepting nearly Rs. 14 million in bribes and laundering the money through these concealed accounts.

The Cabinet has granted approval for the removal of Dhammika Jayasundara from his position as the General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways.

The decision was reached during the Cabinet meeting held yesterday (11).

Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake had recently submitted a special proposal to the Cabinet seeking Jayasundara's removal from the post.

A meeting between Minister of Energy Engineer Kumara Jayakody and the Ambassador of Oman to Sri Lanka, Ahmed Ali Said Al Rashid, took place this afternoon (14) at the Ministry of Energy premises.

The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector between the two countries. Both parties emphasized the importance of addressing regional energy needs, exploring emerging trends in the sector, and working collaboratively to respond to global crises and challenges.

During the meeting, the Minister expressed his appreciation for Oman as a close and valued partner and highlighted the various investment opportunities available in Sri Lanka. He encouraged Oman to consider investing in the country’s energy sector.

Ambassador Al Rashid noted that he is aware of the favorable investment climate currently prevailing in Sri Lanka and stated that he would take steps to inform both the Omani government and private sector about potential investment opportunities in the energy sector. He further expressed Oman’s willingness to strengthen bilateral relations with Sri Lanka.

The Constitutional Council has approved President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recommendation to appoint Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya as the 37th Inspector General of Police of the country.

This decision was made when the Constitutional Council met today (12) under the chairmanship of Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne.

Priyantha Weerasuriya was appointed as the Acting IGP on 24th September 2024 and served as the Acting IGP for almost a year.

The Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has granted approval for the Bill to establish the Gambling Regulatory Authority in Sri Lanka.

According to a Parliament statement, the Bill was approved at the meeting of the COPF held this week (12) under the acting chairmanship of MP Rauf Hakeem.

Due to the overseas travel of the Chairperson of the COPF, MP Harsha de Silva, opposition MP Rauf Hakeem was appointed as the acting chairperson of the committee.

The Bill, which was discussed on several occasions in the COPF, provides for the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority as an independent regulatory body.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority has been proposed to be established with a broad scope to standardize betting and gaming establishments in Sri Lanka, minimize social harm, develop the tourism sector and grow the economy.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara issued an arrest warrant for former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, following a motion filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The warrant relates to an ongoing investigation into a controversial sand dredging project at the Kirinda fisheries harbor, which was reportedly awarded to a Korean company. Authorities allege that the deal resulted in a financial loss exceeding Rs. 20 million to the government.

According to the motion submitted to court, Senaratne—named as the second suspect in the case—has allegedly evaded summons and is currently in hiding, prompting investigators to seek legal intervention for his arrest.

The court considered the evidence and arguments presented by CIABOC before issuing the warrant.

The National Housing Development Authority says government apartment complexes in the Colombo District over 40 years old are planned to be redeveloped next year.

This was revealed during a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development held in Parliament recently (06), chaired by the MP S.M. Marikkar.

Officials from the National Housing Development Authority informed the committee that there are 45 apartment housing projects over 40 years old within the Colombo District, comprising approximately 10,000 housing units.

Accordingly, the committee chairman instructed the officials to submit a report within a month detailing how these redevelopment projects will be implemented, including decisions regarding current residents of those housing complexes.

The officials further stated that technical and valuation reports on the current condition of the buildings in these complexes will be obtained and that the redevelopment projects are expected to be implemented under a public-private partnership model. Based on that, the chairman also instructed that a comprehensive report including all relevant information be submitted to the Sectoral Oversight Committee.

Additionally, the officials pointed out that there are around 45,000 housing units that were initiated between 2015 and 2019 but were abandoned due to various reasons. A plan has now been formulated to complete the construction of these houses within three years.

The meeting also included discussions on the need to increase investments in condominium development projects, and the officials drew the committee’s attention to the challenges faced in attracting investment in this sector.

Consequently, the chairman instructed the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing to propose a legally viable mechanism to facilitate coordination between different ministries and expedite the issuance of necessary permits to resolve these issues and implement the projects effectively.

The Department of Railways has announced the introduction of a new train service between Colombo and Badulla to cater to the high demand from both local and foreign tourists.

According to the department, the ‘Ella Weekend Express’ will operate from Colombo Fort to Badulla every Saturday at 5:30 a.m., commencing on August 16. The return journey from Badulla to Colombo Fort will operate on Sundays, starting on August 17.

Chairman of the United National Party (UNP), Wajira Abeywardana, appeared before the Financial Crimes Investigation Department this morning.

This was in connection with an investigation into alleged illegally acquired assets.

He arrived at the Illegal Assets and Property Investigation Division around 9 a.m. this morning.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna has filed a petition in the Supreme Court Challenging the Presidents' Entitlement (Repeal) Bill, that aims to revoke the entitlements of former presidents.

The Administrative Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Renuka Perera has filed a petition naming the Attorney General as the respondent.

The petition states that on the 7th, the government placed a bill on the parliamentary agenda to revoke the legal rights of former presidents.

It points out that Sections 01 to 04 of the proposed bill violate the principle of separation of powers guaranteed by the Constitution.

The petition further states that the provisions in the bill violate the sovereignty of the people guaranteed by the Constitution.

It also claims that the bill goes against the fundamental principles of the entire Constitution.

The petitioner seek a ruling that the disputed provisions can only be passed with a special two-thirds majority in Parliament and approval by a public referendum.

Newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya says measures are being taken to tighten the laws to maintain law and order in Sri Lanka.

Speaking to the media, after having assumed duties today, IGP Weerasooriya said that the President, Justice Minister and Minister of Public Security have been informed that special raids to curb drug and crime activities cannot be continued under the existing laws.

“As such, we are formulating laws to address these concerns. New laws are required to deal with people who are unable to refrain from engaging in crimes and corruption. We have received the utmost support of the international community, and steps are being taken to utilize their assistance and strengthen ties,” he said.

IGP Weerasooriya further said that the shortcomings in the existing laws are being addressed to further strengthen the operations conducted to curb crimes and drug-related activities, including the increased shooting incidents in Sri Lanka.

“There are some people who have fled and have sought refuge overseas who are behind these crimes and drug activities. They operate through their associates in Sri Lanka. There are some who had deserted the armed forces, and some even from the Police force who are involved in drug activities. We are taking steps to address all of this,” he said.

IGP Weerasooriya said the first step will commence with cleansing the Police force, after which focus will be turned to society.

Commenting on the circulation of weapons in society, he acknowledged that a large number of firearms are currently in the hands of ordinary citizens.

“These include weapons from the tri-forces, weapons that belonged to the LTTE, weapons stolen from the armed forces, and those that have been taken from the Police Force. Investigations are underway into the weapons linked to the Police Department,” he said.

The new IGP said that disciplinary and legal action will be initiated against Police officers who are found to be linked to crimes and drug activities, adding that if found guilty, they will be suspended from duty.

Senior journalist Daya Lankapura has been appointed Chairman of the Right to Information (RTI) Commission of Sri Lanka, by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Lankapura began his journalism career in 1965 with the newspaper ‘Attha’ and is a graduate of the University of Colombo.

He has worked for several newspapers, including Silumina, Divaina, Dinamina, Rivira, and Lakbima, Maubima,Siyatha and is widely recognized for his extensive experience in court reporting.