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Everywhere former President Mahinda Rajapaksa goes, the press and the people are sure to follow. The coverage Mr. Rajapaksa receives indicates he is still a force to be reckoned with. The former President is seen surrounded by supporters and well‑wishers as he arrived in his hometown of Tangalle on Thursday after being evicted from his [...]
Provincial elections under old system
Pressure mounts on Govt. as Core Group, India push for early polls to make devolution meaningful By Damith Wickremasekara The Government is considering holding the provincial council elections under the old system to overcome the impasse caused by disagreements over the delimitation process. A senior government source said that as the new delimitation process is complex [...]
Senior lawyers decline invitation to join Supreme Court bench
By Ranjith Padmasiri Several senior lawyers from the unofficial bar have declined an invitation to take up an existing vacancy in the Supreme Court, the Sunday Times understands. There are currently two vacancies in the Supreme Court. Court of Appeal Justice Ratnapriya Gurusinghe’s name has been recommended to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to fill one [...]
Move to extend OHCHR’s hold on Lanka for two more years
By Chandani Kirinde Sri Lanka will remain under the oversight of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for the next two years, with a draft resolution to extend the mandate of the OHCHR due for passage within the next two weeks at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. However, the [...]
Move to end stalemate over vehicles imported through third countries
Representatives of the Finance Ministry, Import and Export Department, Customs and the Attorney General will submit proposals to court this week to end the stalemate over about 1,000 vehicles imported through third countries. The vehicles have remained at the port for nearly three months after they were imported through cross-border Letters of Credit (LCs) in [...]
Fuel spat deepens: CEB engineers warn CPC threats endanger energy security
By Namini Wijedasa Engineers in charge of the Ceylon Electricity Board’s thermal power plants have told the Energy Ministry Secretary that the CEB’s efforts to introduce competitive fuel procurement “have been blocked by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation” (CPC). In a letter, the CEB’s thermal power plantw engineers have said there is an urgent need to [...]
CID to question former presidential secretary Weeratunga over bus deal
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is to record a statement from Lalith Weeratunga, who served as presidential secretary during the Mahinda Rajapaksa presidency, over allegations that a bus imported on a duty-free basis for the Sports Ministry was given to Carlton Preschool, the Sunday Times learns. The CID’s Financial Crimes Investigation Unit, [...]
President congratulates Nepal’s interim PM
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has congratulated Nepal’s interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, stating “I convey my warmest congratulations and best wishes to Mrs. Sushila Karki on her assumption of the Premiership of Nepal’s interim government.” “We are confident that her leadership will guide Nepal towards a smooth return to lasting peace and democracy,” President Dissanayake [...]
Digitisation workshop for public service held at Temple Trees
The introductory workshop under the government’s digitisation programme for the public service was held at the Temple Trees on Friday, organised by the Ministry of Digital Economy with support from the Presidential Secretariat. Titled “AI for Transforming Public Service”, the workshop focused on raising awareness on AI adoption by government officials in order to foster [...]
Forensic audit to uncover X-Press Pearl email tampering: International expertise sought
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Justice Ministry is to present a Cabinet Paper tomorrow (15) proposing that the services of a qualified international agency be obtained to conduct a forensic audit to identify those who had tried to mislead the Harbour Master of the Colombo Port by erasing the email database of the X-Press Pearl container [...]
Kandy Night Bazaar shifted from Dalada Veediya after barrage of criticism
By L. B. Senaratne The Kandy Night Bazaar which came under heavy attack for occupying Dalada Veediya in close vicinity to the Temple of the Tooth Relic has been shifted to Yatinuwara Veediya from last night. The night bazaar was organised by the Central Provincial Council headed by the Chief Secretary and the Mayor of [...]
Maga Neguma company spent nearly Rs 100mn in legal fees: Audit report
By Namini Wijedasa The Maga Neguma Road Construction Equipment Company (Pvt) Ltd – incorporated under the Road Development Authority (RDA) in 2004 – has spent nearly Rs 100mn in legal fees to private counsel, largely fighting cases filed by building contractors claiming unsettled dues, documents show. The evidence is supported by a recent National Audit [...]
Committee appointed to decide how to proceed with Port Access Elevated Highway
By Namini Wijedasa A committee has been appointed to decide how to proceed with the incomplete, much-delayed Asian Development Bank-funded Port Access Elevated Highway (PAEH), which is expected to connect the New Kelani Bridge to the Colombo Port and beyond, Road Development Authority (RDA) sources said. Meanwhile, officials within the RDA have opposed moves to [...]
Exercise Pacific Angel – 2025 concludes with refurbishment of Akaragama District Hospital
Sri Lanka concluded “Exercise Pacific Angel – 2025”, held from September 8 to the 12 at Katunayake, with the participation of leading regional forces from five countries under the presence of the Sri Lanka Navy and Army. The exercises featured Subject Matter Expert Exchanges covering military operational expertise, as well as on-the-ground training at the [...]
Arrest of Kehelbaddara Padme continues to lead to organised crime and drug trafficking deals
By Ishu Bandara The Western Province North Range Crime Division yesterday morning arrested another supporter of ‘Backhoe Saman’ in the Gangeyaya, Embilipitiya area, who had helped transport weapons belonging to him to various parts of the country, as more breakthroughs came following the arrest of underworld gang leaders recently. During the operation, police seized a [...]
Jaffna e-library impeded by lack of staff
Insufficient staff is a big setback for Jaffna Public Library’s e-library project, according to the Chief Librarian Anusiya Sivakaran. “Limited staffing has slowed the e-library’s progress. Users will have to wait longer to access the remaining 11 sections — counter, periodical, lending, children, Indian corner, computer, archive, reference, special youth and Ceylon Collection,” Ms. Sivakaran [...]
Three suspects of abduction of former Eastern Uni VC claim they were ‘not involved’
By Ranjith Padmasiri Three suspects detained over the abduction and disappearance of former Vice-Chancellor of the Eastern University, Prof. Sivasubramanium Raveendranath, have given statements before Mount Lavinia Magistrate Chathurika De Silva claiming that they were not involved in the incident. The statements before the Magistrate have been given under Section 127 of the Code of [...]
Protest at Katunayake Free Trade Zone against reduction of employee rights
Workers of a garment factory in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone staged a protest yesterday (13) afternoon against what they described as a reduction of employee rights linked to the recent 10 percent reduction in tariffs on Sri Lankan exports to the United States. The demonstration, led by the factory’s Free Trade Zones and General [...]
Lanka’s ‘green‑and‑clean’ push puts biogas in climate action plan
By Namini Wijedasa Sri Lanka, in its draft updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)—which are climate action plans under the Paris Agreement—has adjusted the country’s target of achieving 70% renewable energy by 2030 to renewable and “clean” energy, known in the power sector to mean electricity generated from liquefied natural gas (LNG). The pledge to achieve [...]
Foster parents law takes shape for under 18s
By Sajeniya Sathanandan A rising incidence of abuse and negligence of children in foster care has prompted the government to propose a new law. The main reason for the new law is the widespread complaints about children in homes not being treated properly, National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) Chairperson Preethi Inoka Ransinghe said. The Sunday [...]
Aftercare makes a difference for self-harm survivors
Lack of a system to follow up with self-harm patients after hospital discharge is a serious concern, consultant psychiatrist Dr Chamara Wijesinghe said. He was addressing the World Prevention Day programme by Sumithrayo at its head office on September 10. Self-harm cases are expected to be referred to psychiatric or counselling services, but there are [...]
Gold ‘sovereign’ price on the boil, driven by record highs in global markets
By Kapila Bandara Gold is hovering at eye-watering levels at Sri Lanka’s jewellery retailers, prices rolling over as if on an airport flight display board, reflecting a surge to record highs in global markets. At state and commercial banks, Sri Lankans who have borrowed by pawning mostly 22-carat gold are confronted with volatile prices and [...]
Focus & Foresight – vision of COSL
Eye surgeons meet in Colombo next week to share knowledge and expertise By Kumudini Hettiarachchi The numbers are disturbing – 1.7% of Sri Lankans 40 years or older are blind, while 17% in the same age-group are visually impaired, a recent National Blindness Survey has revealed. It is in this context that the 33rd Annual [...]
Investigating team visits Batticaloa mass grave to map out next steps
By S. Rubatheesan An investigation team responsible for undertaking excavations and exhumations in the Kurukkalmadam mass grave in Batticalao conducted a field visit on Thursday to plan how to proceed. The team will prepare an investigation plan and a budget, which will be presented to the court by September 18. The team comprising Judicial Medical [...]
Spotlight on our mangroves at International Blue Carbon Scientific Working Group meeting at Negombo
Pix and text by Hiran Priyankara An International Blue Carbon Scientific Working Group (IBCSWG) meeting is underway in Negombo with international participation, aimed at conserving and restoring coastal ecosystems. Concentrating on Sri Lanka’s mangroves, the meeting is being attended by 150 scientists from 23 nations. Professor Sewwandi Jayakody, a lecturer at the Wayamba University, told the [...]
Residents fear more damage from Mannar turbines expansion
By Minaza Hassan The Thambapavani wind power project in Mannar is being resisted by residents who believe that it has worsened flooding and environmental change, affecting their lives and livelihoods. Many are now resisting its proposed expansion due to bitter experiences with the first 39 turbines previously installed. Over the past three years, much of [...]
Skilled hands and good heart vital for surgeons
CSSL President calls for compassion, ethics, innovation & resilience at Surgical Congress 2025 By Kumudini Hettiarachchi It was a star-studded Wednesday evening, as eminent local and international surgeons from wide and varied fields, put down their scalpels to gather in Colombo. The spotlight, however, was on the patient, more so the humble and impoverished man, [...]
Third Nyéléni Global Forum on food sovereignty and agroecology concludes in Kandy
Pic and text by L B Senaratne The third Nyéléni Global Forum, which brought together the world’s largest gathering of grassroot movements to discuss food sovereignty and agroecology among others, took place in Polgolla, Kandy, this week. Around 1,000 people attended the opening event, held at the National Institute of Co-Operative Development. Ministers Wasantha Samarasinghe [...]
Supreme Court launches revamped website, payment through bank cards
A digitalisation programme of the Supreme Court and the launch of its revamped website took place on Friday. It is a step to accelerate the digitalisation of the judicial system, which aims to increase the efficiency of judicial services. The launch of the Supreme Court Case Management System and the launch of the revamped Supreme [...]
Study of bats hunts for clues on viruses harmful to humans
By Kasun Warakapitiya Scientists are hoping to use the findings of a study of flight routes of bats and the correlation to the spread of deadly viruses to form an early warning system for disease outbreaks. In an inaugural study of large bat flight pathways in Sri Lanka, scientists had attached GPS collars on flying [...]
Demand for destructive palm to be removed from ornamental trade
By Nidarshani Wickramasinghe Scientifically named Pinanga coronata, the ornamental Ivory Cane Palm, which is widely cultivated in home gardens, is wreaking havoc on Sri Lanka’s biodiversity, according to research by Senior Environmental Lawyer Dr Jagath Gunawardana. According to his observations, the plant has already turned into an alien species in Sri Lanka. Dr Gunawardana has [...]
Railway gate operators bemoan Rs7,500 salary, lack of basic facilities
Railway gate operators say their needs and requirements have been overlooked for 13 years, as their salaries and working conditions have not improved over the years. The gate operators claim that their salaries have remained at Rs 7,500 a month, while persons who are not engaged in any work are provided 17,500 under Aswesuma welfare [...]
Ella tragedy: Speeding amateur driver at the wheel of a mechanical mess, sent bus into deadly plunge
By Kasun Warakapitiya Lack of maintenance, a tired and inexperienced driver unfamiliar with the road conditions, and use of wrong braking techniques, as well as driving at excessive speed, had contributed to last week’s Ella-Wellawaya private bus accident, an initial report by the Department of Motor Traffic reveals. The DMT submitted an interim report this [...]
Saving lives was our only goal, says heart patient doctor in 1,000‑ft cliff rescue
By Palitha Ariyawansa The Badulla Hospital doctor who was at the forefront of rescue efforts, which began immediately after the bus tragedy, recounted how he and the armed forces worked in coordination with others to save lives. Dr Palitha Rajapaksa, senior medical officer in charge of the emergency treatment unit at Badulla Teaching Hospital, explained [...]
Death toll rises to 16
The death toll from the Ella–Wellawaya bus tragedy rose to 16 on Friday, after a 43‑year‑old woman succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of Badulla Teaching Hospital. The victim was identified as Namali Gamage, an employee of the Tangalle Urban Council. The tragedy occurred last Thursday night, when a [...]