News Room : CCD Says Thusitha Halloluwa Behind His Own Shooting
The recent shooting and assault on the vehicle of former National Lotteries Board (NLB) Director Thusitha Halloluwa had in fact been orchestrated by Halloluwa himself in collaboration with several organised criminals, the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena yesterday (19). Thusitha Halloluwa, who had been out on a warrant, was arrested by the CCD at...
News Room : Court Rejects Rajitha Senaratne’s Motion to Suspend Arrest Warrant
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today rejected the motion filed by former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne seeking a suspension of the arrest warrant issued against him in connection with an investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). When the motion was taken up yesterday (18), the Magistrate observed that such a request could only be considered...
News Room : No Talks Until Fingerprint Machines Are Accepted: Government on Postal Strike
The ongoing postal strike entered its second consecutive day today, with Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa emphasising that the strike is largely unnecessary, as only two demands—overtime pay and the mandatory biometric fingerprint attendance system—remain unresolved. Dr. Jayatissa clarified that out of the 19 demands initially presented by postal workers, 17 have either been addressed or are in the process...
News Room : Sri Lankan Worker Abuse Prompts Special South Korean Police Operation
South Korean police have announced a 100-day special operation to tackle abuses against migrant workers, the Korean National Police Agency said. All 18 regional police agencies in the country have formed dedicated units that will operate until 25 November to investigate cases of violence, assault, confinement, coercion, humiliation, sexual abuse, and labor exploitation targeting foreign workers. The crackdown follows nationwide outrage...
News Room : Govt to Launch QR Code-Based Fertiliser Subsidy Scheme for Farmers
The Cabinet has approved a joint proposal by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies and Minister of Digital Economy, together with the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, to introduce a QR code or suitable digital mechanism to streamline the fertiliser subsidy programme. The move comes in response to...
News Room : Arrest Warrants Issued Against Rathana Thera and Thusitha Halloluwa
The Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court and the Colombo Magistrate’s Court have issued arrest warrants against Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera and the former Executive Director of the National Lotteries Board (NLB), Thusitha Halloluwa, following a request made by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) and the Police. The case relates to the alleged abduction of Ape Janabala Party General Secretary Ven. Wedinigama Wimalatissa...
News Room : Hartal Called by ITAK in North and East Fizzles Out, Ends by Noon
A hartal called across the Northern and Eastern Provinces today (18) by the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) and several other groups has been largely deemed unsuccessful, with government institutions, schools, and most services continuing as normal. The protest was organised to demand justice for the recent death of a 32-year-old man in Mullaitivu, along with several other concerns. However,...
News Room : NCM Against Deputy Minister Not Practical, We’ll File Another Charge – SJB
The no-confidence motion (NCM) brought by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) against Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara is facing practical hurdles, with party members admitting that there is an issue in moving such a motion against a deputy minister. Speaking to reporters, SJB MP Rohana Bandara said that despite these difficulties, the party intends to pursue an alternative course of...
News Room : IGP Faces Backlash for Endorsing Corporal Punishment
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya is facing intense criticism and calls for his resignation after publicly endorsing corporal punishment, just days into his new role. The controversy erupted following remarks he made at a function at Sri Lanka Law College, where he referred to a recent complaint about a school principal assaulting a 14-year-old student. The IGP, recalling...
News Room : Rising Toll at Meemure’s Thali Kata as Tourist Drownings Continue
Residents of Meemure have raised alarm over the growing number of tragic accidents involving visitors to the historic and scenic village, calling on authorities to take urgent steps to ensure tourist safety. In the past few days, two separate incidents have claimed lives in the area. The first occurred on the Hunnasgiriya–Meemure road when a van carrying a group of...