News Room : An initiative to bring light into the lives of Galle residents – The Island
By Ifham Nizam For decades, many rural communities in Sri Lanka have struggled with an unreliable power supply, outdated infrastructure, and slow responses from authorities. However, a new initiative aims to change this narrative, bringing hope to thousands in the Galle District who have long been in the dark—both literally and figuratively. Speaking to The Island Financial Review, Dr. Chathura Welivitiya,...
News Room : FSP Criticizes Budget 2025, Claims Tax Burden on Family Increased by Rs. 8,200
The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), a breakaway faction from the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), has strongly criticized the National People’s Power (NPP) government’s 2025 Budget, accusing it of raising the tax burden on an ordinary family by Rs. 8,200 compared to the previous year. At a press conference held at the FSP Headquarters in Nugegoda on Monday (25), the party’s...
News Room : Mother and Brother of Fugitive Accomplice in Ganemulla Sanjeewa’s Murder Remanded
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered the mother and brother of a fugitive female suspect linked to the murder of underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, also known as “Ganemulla Sanjeewa,” to be remanded until 7 March 2025. The suspects, Sesathpura Devage Samanthi and her younger brother, Pinpura Devage Chamidu Thiwanka Weerasinghe, were arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) on...
News Room : Police Thwart Assassination Attempt on Kehelbaddara Padme’s In-Laws in Retaliation for Ganemulla Sanjeewa’s Murder
The Police have successfully thwarted an attempt to assassinate the parents of the wife of underworld figure “Kehelbaddara Padme” in what appears to be retaliation for the murder of notorious underworld figure “Ganemulla Sanjeewa.” According to police, two young men suspected of plotting the attack were apprehended while allegedly surveilling the house of Kehelbaddara Padme’s wife in Pannala. At the...
News Room : “I don’t know if they’ll take me to show hidden weapons” – Namal Arrivers at CID Over SriLankan Airbus Deal
“I’m not scared at all… But I don’t know if they’ll take me to show hidden weapons,” SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa said as he arrived at the CID this morning to provide a statement regarding the SriLankan Airlines Airbus deal. The investigation focuses on alleged corruption in the 2013 transaction to purchase 10 Airbus aircraft. The deal, which involved then-SriLankan Airlines...
News Room : One Injured in Minuwangoda Shooting
A shooting incident in Minuwangoda today (26) left a 36-year-old individual injured, police said. The injured person has been admitted to the hospital for treatment. Police are conducting further investigations. This is a developing story..
News Room : Krrish Case: Social Media Posts Against Judge Reported to Court
The Colombo High Court Registrar has reported to the court regarding two social media posts targeting Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne, who is presiding over the money laundering case against Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa related to the controversial ‘Krrish’ project. It was revealed that the posts were shared on Facebook on 21 February from accounts...
News Room : Budget and security – The Island
A lot of wisdom dawns after the fact; and this is what we have seen in the James Bond-style drama that unfolded in Hultsdorf on Wednesday when a high-profile prisoner, Ganemulla Sanjeewa described as an underworld kingpin, was shot dead in the dock by a gunman disguised as a lawyer. A woman accomplice, also pretending to be a lawyer,...
News Room : Nations Trust Bank ends 2024 with strong performance, achieving 24% ROE – The Island
By Ifham Nizam The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has instructed the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to revise its Draft Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan (LTGEP) 2025-2044, incorporating more robust projections for renewable energy and battery storage, while also reassessing LNG infrastructure and procurement strategies. The Island Financial Review reliably learns PUCSL Director General Damitha Kumarasinghe emphasized the need for...
News Room : Cabinet Approves Drafting of Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill
The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to proceed with drafting a bill for the establishment of a Gambling Regulatory Authority. On 26 June 2023, the then-Cabinet approved the creation of an independent Gambling Regulatory Authority to standardise gambling institutions, minimise social harm, promote tourism, and drive economic growth. The Legal Draftsman has now sought the concurrence of the current Cabinet...