Former Minister Johnston Fernando and his youngest son, Gerome Kenneth Fernando were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) this morning (05) in connection with an ongoing investigation.
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Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has arrested an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and a female Police Sergeant on allegations of accepting bribes. According to authorities, the arrests were made in connection with an ongoing investigation by the Bribery Commission, following information received regarding alleged bribery involving police officers attached to the Nuwara Eliya and Kalmunai Assistant Superintendent of Police offices. According to the Bribery Commission, the Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to the Nuwara Eliya ASP’s office was arrested at his workplace around 10.50 am today (05 Jan). He is accused of soliciting and…
All Ceylon Multi-day Trawler Owners’ Association has requested the International Organisations and the Sri Lankan government to hold a formal investigation of destroying a multi-day fishing trawler and the arrest of six fishermen by the Seychelles security authorities.
Former Minister Johnston Fernando and his youngest son, Gerome Kenneth Fernando, who were arrested over the alleged misuse of a Lanka Sathosa vehicle, have been remanded. Johnston Fernando and his youngest son were remanded until January 9 by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court today. The father-son duo were arrested after reporting to the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) this morning, in connection with investigations into the alleged misuse of a Lanka Sathosa lorry. Johnston Fernando had been notified to appear before the FCID today after the Police had launched a probe to arrest him in connection with an incident where…
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that, despite current financial constraints, the 2026 budget has been allocated based on national priorities, stressing that Ministry Secretaries and public officials must ensure these funds are used with maximum efficiency for the people’s benefit. President Dissanayake noted that although significant funds had been allocated for capital expenditure, many development opportunities were denied to the people because previous state machinery failed to use the resources effectively and deliver the expected progress. He further noted that, in some instances, budget preparations were influenced by the notion of “unspent funds,” which hindered proper utilization. The President emphasized…
A joint opposition alliance is the only viable option to change the destiny of the nation, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa said yesterday.
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland on Sunday called on US President Donald Trump to stop threatening to take over Greenland. The appeals come after Trump again insisted that the US needs to control the resource-rich Arctic territory for national security, a day after US forces attacked Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro. In an interview on Sunday with The Atlantic magazine, Trump said: “We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defense.” He added that the island is “surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships.” On Sunday evening, Trump told reporters on board Air Force One that the US…
Siyatha Television and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation have been announced as the exclusive free-to-air television and radio broadcast partners respectively for the Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka 2026. The men’s T20I series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will be played from January 7 to January 11, 2026, with all matches scheduled to take place at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium. The post Local broadcasting partners announced for Sri Lanka vs Pakistan T20I series appeared first on Newswire.
Former Minister and Member of Parliament Rishad Bathiudeen appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) this morning (05) after being summoned by the commission.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 309.95/310.05 to the US dollar in the spot market Monday, weaker from 309.75/85 Friday, dealers said, while bond yields closed very slightly up. A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 closed at 8.50/60 percent, up from 8.40/70 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 closed at 8.95/9.05 percent, up from 8.95/9.00 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2028 closed at 9.20/25 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 closed at 9.73/75 percent, from 9.72/77 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2030 closed at 9.77/81 percent, up from 9.75/80 percent. A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 closed at 10.50/52 percent, from…
The National People’s Power (NPP) Government is making efforts but has so far failed to deliver results, Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.
In the wake of the burning an elephant to death in Mihintale, the death of another wild elephant as a result of the human-elephant conflict was reported yesterday from Welikanda.
Activists from the Frontline Socialist Party and several other groups gathered outside the United States Embassy in Colombo this evening to protest U.S. actions in Venezuela. Protesters held placards reading “Don’t Touch Venezuela,” calling for a Venezuelan‑led solution and denouncing what they describe as US interference. The protests comes after a major escalation in US – Venezuela tensions, after the United States launched a large‑scale military operation that included strikes on Venezuelan territory and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who are now to face federal charges in the United States. The US has signaled intentions to…
A dead body was found at Marine Drive in Kollupitiya today, police said.
Ananda College will mark the reopening of its historic Colonel G.W. Rajapakse Stadium with a T20 exhibition cricket match on January 7, 2026, following the completion of major renovation work. The exhibition match will see the Ananda College 1st XI take on the Ananda Legends, bringing together past and present players on the same stage to celebrate the revival of one of the school’s most iconic sporting venues. The renovated ground, located within the Ananda College premises, has been upgraded with the support of Sri Lanka Cricket and the Old Anandians Sports Club, aimed at providing improved facilities for future…
ECONOMYNEXT – Investor interest in diversified financials and construction shares pushed Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) to close 0.66 percent higher on Monday, data on its site showed. The broader All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed 150.67 points up at 23,014.75. Meanwhile the more S&P SL20 gained 0.67 percent, or 41.35 points to close at 6,227.44. Continued retail investor interest in banks stocks were seen in the market. The top contributors to the ASPI were Commercial Bank (up 4.25 rupees at 207.25), Carson Cumberbatch (up 50.50 rupees at 797.75), ACL Cables (up 4.65 rupees at 103.75), LOLC (up 10.75…
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has announced the extension of the suspension of the business of Perpetual Treasuries Limited for a further period of six months. In a statement, the CBSL said the decision has been taken in terms of the Regulations made under the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance and the Local Treasury Bills Ordinance. As such, it has been decided to extend the suspension of Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) from carrying on the business and activities of a Primary Dealer for a further period of six months with effect from 4.30 p.m. on 05th January 2026.…
The Sri Lankan Ministry of Fisheries has initiated high-level diplomatic discussions to secure the return of local fishermen currently held in the Seychelles.
The Bangladesh government has ordered an indefinite ban on the telecast and promotion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) following the controversy surrounding the removal of Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad. In an official communication issued on January 5, the authorities confirmed that all IPL-related broadcasts, promotions and event coverage have been suspended with immediate effect and will remain so until further orders. The decision, the statement said, was taken in the “public interest” and approved by the appropriate authority. The order follows the IPL decision to release Mustafizur from the KKR squad ahead…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka tourist arrivals rose a marginal 4.2 percent from a year ago to 258,928 in December 2025, amidst the widespread destruction in the island after Cyclone Ditwah, data from the tourism development authority showed. Total arrivals for the year were 2,362,521, up 15.1 percent from a year ago. This was short of the island nation’s target of 3 million. December arrivals were also 2.3 higher than the 253,169 recorded in 2018; the year before Sri Lanka’s tourism industry was hit by multiple subsequent shocks – the Easter attack, pandemic and protests. Tourists from India made up 22…