Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama has ordered the further remand of Neville Wanniarachchi, former Security Chief to ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, until October 31, in connection with an ongoing investigation into illicit asset accumulation. Wanniarachchi was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on suspicion of unlawfully amassing assets valued […]
A key associate linked to the organized crime group ‘Loku Patty’ has been arrested in the Hungama area during an operation conducted by the Police Illegal Assets Investigation Division. The suspect, identified as S.F. Indika, was found in possession of a T-56 assault rifle, two loaded magazines, and 60 modified rounds of ammunition typically used […]
Sri Lanka has taken a major step toward implementing a national framework to regulate pharmaceutical prices, as the Parliamentary Advisory Committee on Health and Mass Media has approved the relevant gazette notification outlining the new directives. The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, who […]
Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi for high-level discussions aimed at deepening cooperation between the two nations. The talks covered a wide range of topics, including education, women’s empowerment, innovation, development cooperation, and the welfare of fishermen. “As close neighbours, our cooperation holds immense […]
Former Executive Director of the State Engineering Corporation, Nilu Dilhara Wijedasa, has been released on bail after being arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). Wijedasa was detained over allegations of misusing state resources and breaching procedural regulations in connection with renovation work at Sirikotha, the headquarters of the United […]
Ishara Sewwandi, the key suspect in the murder of underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa, has revealed chilling details of her three-month escape across multiple countries before her recent arrest in Nepal. During interrogation, Sewwandi told investigators that she first went into hiding in several locations across Sri Lanka, including Mathugama and Middeniya, before fleeing to India […]
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called on Sri Lanka to strengthen its institutional framework and improve public investment management to prevent a repeat of the country’s recent fiscal crisis. Responding to a question by News 1st’s Zulfick Farzan, Thomas Helbling, Deputy Director of the IMF’s Asia Pacific Department, acknowledged that a range of factors […]
Former Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara was arrested earlier today (15) by officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with alleged irregularities in the foreign employment program involving the deployment of Sri Lankan workers to Israel. Nanayakkara, who was taken into custody this afternoon, was […]
The government has introduced a series of new initiatives to enhance facilities and streamline services for tourists ahead of the upcoming travel season. The Special Task Force, appointed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to fast-track tourism promotion efforts, convened for the second time yesterday (14) at the Presidential Secretariat. Key discussions centered on improving visa […]
Watawala Tea has withdrawn its short film “Him, Her and Them” following widespread backlash from the public, who accused the brand of promoting LGBTQI themes under the guise of family storytelling. In a statement, the company explained that the film was meant to reflect “the everyday emotions of family life and the balance between strength […]