News

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.

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.”

The Government of India has released the first payment of approximately USD 2.5 million (LKR 770 million) for a major signalling and telecommunication project on Sri Lanka’s Maho–Anuradhapura railway line, further deepening bilateral cooperation in the transport sector.

The project was jointly inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the President’s visit to India in April 2025. Originally planned under a Line of Credit, the initiative was later converted into a full grant during the President’s State Visit to New Delhi in December 2024.

The project is being implemented by Ircon International Ltd, a leading Indian public sector undertaking, and is expected to be completed by August 2026.

The new system will enable real-time tracking of train movements, centralized monitoring from a modern control centre, and improve both safety and efficiency by allowing simultaneous train operations at stations. The move is also expected to significantly reduce delays and enhance the frequency of services.

The initiative forms part of India’s broader commitment to Sri Lanka’s railway development, with cumulative assistance reaching around USD 1.2 billion. India has supported the rehabilitation of nearly 500 km of track and signalling systems across 400 km of Sri Lanka’s rail network, along with the supply of rolling stock including locomotives and coaches.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo said the project underscores India’s human-centric development partnership and long-term commitment to improving connectivity and infrastructure in Sri Lanka.

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.

A temporary women’s care centre was officially opened in Nuwara Eliya on July 29, providing short-term shelter, protection, and support for women and children affected by gender-based violence.

The centre was inaugurated in the presence of Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Paulraj and the Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Isomata Akio. The new centre becomes the 11th such facility in the country.

According to the UNFPA, Nuwara Eliya records some of the highest rates of intimate partner violence in Sri Lanka.

Minister Paulraj said that these centres offer state-supported short-term accommodation and rehabilitation services, allowing survivors to access social integration programs and recover in a safe environment.

The initiative was launched through a partnership involving the Government of Japan, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, the Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat, the Women’s Development Centre, and World Vision Lanka.

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.

The daughter of MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena, who was arrested yesterday in connection with the case of an illegally registered SUV, has been granted bail.

The Mathugama Magistrate’s Court today released her on two sureties of Rs. 02 million each.

MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena’s daughter surrendered to the Panadura-Walana Anti-Vice Squad yesterday over the case related to the sale of an illegally imported and registered vehicle to SJB MP Jagath Vithana’s son.

The Panadura-Walana Anti-Vice Squad arrested MP Jagath Vithana’s son along with the vehicle in question in the Mathugama area on 19 July.

Investigations found that the high-end Jeep was allegedly smuggled into Sri Lanka and fraudulently registered.

The vehicle was initially registered under the name of Abeygunawardena’s daughter, Melanie, and later sold in October 2024 to the son of MP Jagath Vithana.

At the time, even though MP Jagath Vithana claimed the vehicle was purchased for Rs. 45 million, investigators noted it had been declared at only Rs. 20 million, prompting suspicions of document forgery and tax evasion.

Soon after, MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena’s son-in-law was arrested and remanded over the case, while his daughter had evaded arrest. However, she surrendered to the Police yesterday and was arrested.