Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s ex-Chief Security Officer, Neville Wanniarachchi, has been remanded until October 17. Wanniarachchi appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) earlier today to record a statement. Following the statement he was arrested and produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. He was charged with failure to disclose how he acquired assets and properties valued at more than Rs. 28 million. (Newswire) The post Rajapaksa’s Ex-CSO Neville Wanniarachchi remanded appeared first on Newswire.
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Mahatma Gandhi: The Great Soul of India Mahatma Gandhi, born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, India, is remembered as one of history’s greatest leaders. Known affectionately as the “Father of the Nation” in India, Gandhi dedicated his life to fighting injustice and leading India’s struggle for independence from British rule. What made him truly unique was his unwavering belief in nonviolence (ahimsa) and civil disobedience methods that changed not only India but also inspired freedom movements across the world. Gandhi’s journey to becoming a global icon was not straightforward. He studied law in London and later…
The Director General of the Department of Government Information has written to the heads of media institutions, calling for timely payment of remuneration to provincial journalists. In a statement, DG H. S. K. J. Bandara said that during workshops conducted by the department across several districts, journalists repeatedly raised concerns about delays in receiving payments for their coverage. Highlighting the issue, Bandara urged media institutions to extend their support in resolving the matter and ensure fair and timely compensation for provincial correspondents. (Newswire) The post Information DG urges timely payments to provincial journalists appeared first on Newswire.
Strength, Spirit, and Solidarity: KFL Joins Hands with Indira Cancer Trust this October In just two short years, the Karma Fight League (KFL) has grown into South Asia’s biggest K1 fight league. With five electrifying fight nights under its belt, KFL has become the apex stage for Sri Lanka’s prime-time fighters, a true testament to strength, grit, and determination. But this October, KFL is showing that real strength extends far beyond the ring. The league is proud to stand alongside the Indira Cancer Trust, a non-profit organization founded in memory of Indira Jayasuriya, who bravely fought breast cancer until her…
The Sri Lanka Railways announced that the schedule of the Yal Devi express train will be temporarily revised from October 7 to 18. According to the railway authorities, during this period the train will depart Colombo Fort at 6:40 a.m. and is scheduled to arrive at Vavuniya at 2:15 p.m. The northbound service from Kankesanthurai will leave at 11:00 a.m. Officials said the adjustments are temporary and the regular timetable will resume after October 18. (Newswire) The post Yal Devi express train schedule revised from October 7 to 18 appeared first on Newswire.
Agriculture Minister K.D. Lal Kantha has inspected South Asia’s largest aquaponic technology greenhouse, which has been left abandoned despite a multi-billion-rupee investment. The project, located on an 18-acre site in Kumarakattuwa, Arachchikattuwa, was initiated with World Bank support under the Agriculture Modernization Program. It carried an investment of more than Rs. 2 billion, including a Rs. 100 million grant. Designed to integrate aquaculture and hydroponics, the facility enabled fish to be reared while nutrient-rich wastewater was converted into nitrates, feeding plants grown in the system. In turn, the plants filtered the water, which was recycled back to the fish tanks.…
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has joined the billionaire club, becoming the richest entertainer in India with a fortune estimated at $1.4 billion, according to the Hurun India Rich List 2025. Khan, 59, amassed a net worth of more than 12,490 crore rupees through a combination of blockbuster films, global endorsements, production ventures and ownership of the Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders. It is the first time a Bollywood actor has entered the billionaire ranks, marking a milestone for the Indian film industry. Khan’s wealth surpasses that of several international entertainers, including American singer Taylor Swift, media reports…
A team of officials from the Presidential Secretariat and Public Administration conducted an inspection of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Wijerama residence today, amid controversy over the handover of the state-owned property. Attorney Manoj Gamage, spokesperson for the former president, refuted recent remarks by Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, who claimed Rajapaksa had not yet handed over the residence. Speaking to the media, Gamage said the delay was caused by officials from state departments, who were responsible for taking inventory of state-owned assets at the property. “We had requested the relevant departments to conduct an inventory. Only after that would we…
CA Sri Lanka student Dinali Jayasinghe receiving her award at the SAFA Women Leadership Awards Ceremony. Two exceptional women from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) have made the nation proud by winning top honours at the prestigious SAFA Women Leadership Awards, a regional platform that celebrates excellence, leadership, and impact among women in the accounting profession across South Asia. CA Sri Lanka member, Pyumi Sumanasekara, was honoured with the “ESG Visionary Woman Award” while CA Student Dinali Jayasinghe won the “Rising Woman Student Award – CA” at a grand event held at Cinnamon Life.…
The post “I was never a member of such a committee” Bribery Commission Director General appeared first on Newswire.
Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Ranga Dissanayake said that legal action would be filed against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody if the Commission decides to proceed with such a decision. Speaking at a media briefing today, Dissanayake clarified that the decision to prosecute or not under the Bribery Act rests with the three-member Commission, not the Director General. However, once a decision is made, it is his responsibility as DG to file the indictment based on the commission’s recommendation, he noted. Dissanayake further said that the investigation related to Minister Jayakody had been…
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to stop the withdrawal of the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) scheme, warning it would seriously harm Sri Lanka’s export-oriented industries. Speaking during a meeting with IMF Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou and IMF Resident Representative Martha Woldemichael at his Colombo office, Premadasa said exporters are already struggling and removing SVAT without an alternative scheme will deal a severe blow to the sector. He added that Sri Lanka urgently needs a focused, sustainable programme to reduce poverty, pointing out that nearly 50 percent of the population now live in…
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to stop the withdrawal of the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) scheme, warning it would seriously harm Sri Lanka’s export-oriented industries. Speaking during a meeting with IMF Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou and IMF Resident Representative Martha Woldemichael at his Colombo office, Premadasa said exporters are already struggling and removing SVAT without an alternative scheme will deal a severe blow to the sector. He added that Sri Lanka urgently needs a focused, sustainable programme to reduce poverty, pointing out that nearly 50 percent of the population now live in…
Teachers and principals will resign from school discipline committees if Parliament passes the proposed bill banning punishment of students, warned Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thera, President of the Education Professionals’ Association. The Thera said the move would cripple existing disciplinary processes in schools, adding that student prefects too had been made liable under the draft law. He said that prefect boards would be suspended and students removed from disciplinary duties in protest. He accused the government of targeting teachers and principals through amendments to the Penal Code and said education unions were discussing legal action against the bill. If the government…
Teachers and principals will resign from school discipline committees if Parliament passes the proposed bill banning punishment of students, warned Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thera, President of the Education Professionals’ Association. The Thera said the move would cripple existing disciplinary processes in schools, adding that student prefects too had been made liable under the draft law. He said that prefect boards would be suspended and students removed from disciplinary duties in protest. He accused the government of targeting teachers and principals through amendments to the Penal Code and said education unions were discussing legal action against the bill. If the government…
Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Ranga Dissanayake denied claims that he had ever been a member of a political committee, as alleged by politicians. His response came after former JVP frontliner Nandana Gunathilaka recently claimed on Hiru TV’s Balaya program that Dissanayake had served on the JVP legal committee. Gunathilaka questioned the impartiality of CIABOC, alleging its current director general had prior involvement with the JVP. “In 2004, I became a magistrate. In 2020, I was appointed a High Court judge. In 2025, I assumed this position. If I had been involved…
Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Ranga Dissanayake denied claims that he had ever been a member of a political committee, as alleged by politicians. His response came after former JVP frontliner Nandana Gunathilaka recently claimed on Hiru TV’s Balaya program that Dissanayake had served on the JVP legal committee. Gunathilaka questioned the impartiality of CIABOC, alleging its current director general had prior involvement with the JVP. “In 2004, I became a magistrate. In 2020, I was appointed a High Court judge. In 2025, I assumed this position. If I had been involved…
The Sri Lankan national swimming team delivered strong performances at the Junior World Swimming Championships held in Otopeni, Romania, during the end of summer, with several athletes achieving personal best times and showing steady progress on the international stage. During the competition, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Romania Madurika Joseph Weninger met with the athletes and team officials, extending warm congratulations and offering words of encouragement. The Ambassador commended the swimmers for their dedication, discipline, and the positive manner in which they represented Sri Lanka. Standout performances came from Julie Hope, Christina Perumal, MF Muhammad, Aasif Imran, and the…
The Sri Lankan national swimming team delivered strong performances at the Junior World Swimming Championships held in Otopeni, Romania, during the end of summer, with several athletes achieving personal best times and showing steady progress on the international stage. During the competition, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Romania Madurika Joseph Weninger met with the athletes and team officials, extending warm congratulations and offering words of encouragement. The Ambassador commended the swimmers for their dedication, discipline, and the positive manner in which they represented Sri Lanka. Standout performances came from Julie Hope, Christina Perumal, MF Muhammad, Aasif Imran, and the…
The United Nations launched a landmark study on how climate change, gender and security in Sri Lanka are interconnected. Commissioned by the Joint UN Development Programme (UNDP) – UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) Programme and UN Women Sri Lanka, through Adelphi Research, it is among the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific Region. As Sri Lanka grapples with the accelerating impacts of climate change, it faces heightened risks to peace and security. These impacts are not felt equally, with gender, age, ethnicity, disability, and religion shaping who is most vulnerable. Developed with support from the Government…