News Room : CC Approves Justice Preethi Padman Surasena as 49th Chief Justice
The Constitutional Council has approved the appointment of Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena as the next Chief Justice of Sri Lanka. The approval follows President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s formal nomination of Justice Surasena to succeed Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, who is set to retire on 27 July. The Council met on 23 July to consider the nomination and has...
News Room : Rajitha Senaratne Files Fresh Petition, Seeking Bail This Time
The Colombo High Court has scheduled the hearing of a petition filed by former Minister Rajitha Senaratne for 30 September, seeking to overturn a Magistrate’s Court order that rejected his release on bail. The petition was taken up today (24) before Colombo High Court Judge Indrika Kalinga Vansa. However, the judge observed that the certified copy of the Magistrate’s Court order...
News Room : SC Rules Ranil Wickremesinghe’s 2022 Emergency Declaration Unconstitutional
The Supreme Court today (23) ruled that the state of emergency declared by then Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe in 18 July 2022 was illegal and violated the fundamental rights of the citizens of Sri Lanka. Delivering the landmark judgment, the Court held that the emergency proclamation—issued amid nationwide protests and economic collapse—lacked legal justification and failed to meet constitutional standards...
News Room : The ‘underwater bushfire’ cooking Australia’s reefs
Australia boasts plenty of superlatives when it comes to its natural landmarks. The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s biggest coral reef system on the north-east coast, is rightly recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Buzzing with biodiversity, it’s a diver’s dream. But there’s a lesser-known record breaker on the other side of the country, on Australia’s north-western coast: Ningaloo...
News Room : Showers expected in the Western, North-western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts – The Island
Warning for strong winds and rough seas. Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 10.00 a.m. on 22 July 2025 for the period until 10.00 a.m. on 23 July 2025 Naval and fishing communities are warned that the sea areas extending from Kalpitiya to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil will be rough or very rough...
News Room : Asian Paints Causeway Powers a Motorsport Milestone as Walawa Supercross Roars Back
The Asian Paints Causeway Walawa Supercross 2025 roared back into action as one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic motor racing spectacles, making a triumphant return after a five-year hiatus. Revived with thrilling races, standout victories, and record-breaking crowds, the event was powered by the title sponsorship of Asian Paints Causeway – Sri Lanka’s No. 1 auto refinish coatings brand. Held over...
News Room : Missing Rs 7.5M at CID: No Immediate Arrest for Ex-DIG, Court Told
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court was informed today (22) that the Bribery Commission currently sees no need to arrest the CID’s retired DIG Rohan Premaratne, in relation to an ongoing financial fraud investigation. This update was provided by a CIABOC representative during a hearing on Premaratne’s anticipatory bail application. The application had been filed seeking legal protection in the event of...
News Room : Bill to Repeal Presidential Entitlements Act of 1986 to Be Tabled in Parliament
A draft bill seeking to repeal the Presidential Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986—which grants special privileges to former Presidents and their families—will be presented to Parliament for approval, following Cabinet approval for its gazetting. According to the government’s policy statement “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life,” the move aims to eliminate the exclusive benefits currently extended to former...
News Room : Over Rs. 40 Million in Assets Seized from Drug Trafficker
Over Rs. 40 million worth of assets believed to have been acquired through drug trafficking have been confiscated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, according to the Police Media Division. The assets are linked to a woman from Nalagasdeniya, Hikkaduwa, who is currently in remand for the possession of heroin. Police investigations have revealed that the suspect and her close...
News Room : Dr Nadeesha Chandrasena Felicitated by PM Harini for WIPO Award
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya met with Dr Nadeesha Chandrasena, the visionary Sri Lankan inventor behind the award-winning Smart Drain system, following its global recognition at the 2025 WIPO Global Awards held in Geneva. Dr Nadeesha Chandrasena’s innovation, developed under the local startup Urban Inventors, was named one of the ten global winners at the prestigious awards ceremony organised by the...