August 26, Colombo (LNW): In latest developments during today’s (26) hearing at the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court, counsel representing former President Ranil Wickremesinghe presented detailed medical evidence in support of a bail application, citing a serious and worsening health condition.

President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne informed the court that the former head of state is in a precarious medical situation, revealing that three of the four major arteries in his heart are blocked. A formal medical report was submitted to support the claim.

Further elaborating, Premaratne PC noted that Wickremesinghe has also been suffering from a chronic kidney condition, which has reportedly deteriorated. Additional medical findings presented in court indicated signs of heart muscle damage and a developing lung infection—factors that, according to the defence, place his life at significant risk if he remains in remand custody.

The court is currently considering these submissions alongside strong objections raised by the Attorney General’s Department. Representing the Criminal Investigation Department, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris argued against the granting of bail, stating that the former president’s controversial visit to the United Kingdom—central to the ongoing investigation—did not involve any official meetings with foreign heads of state, undermining its claim as a state-sanctioned engagement.

Wickremesinghe remains under judicial custody, charged under the Public Property Act over alleged misuse of government funds during the 2023 trip. The case continues to attract significant public interest, with a growing number of supporters gathering outside the courthouse in a visible show of solidarity.

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August 26, Colombo (LNW): The legal case involving former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is currently under remand custody and receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of the Colombo National Hospital, was taken up today before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court. Despite his hospitalisation, Wickremesinghe participated in the proceedings through Zoom video conferencing technology.

The case was heard before Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura, with representatives from the Attorney General’s Department present. During the hearing, state counsel expressed strong opposition to any bail application being considered, citing the gravity of the charges filed under the Public Property Act.

The former president faces allegations relating to the misuse of public funds, with investigations ongoing into the circumstances surrounding a foreign trip made during his time in office.

By: Isuru Parakrama

August 26, Colombo (LNW): Legal proceedings involving former President Ranil Wickremesinghe were brought before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (26), with the Attorney General’s Department formally objecting to any request for bail.

The case, filed under the Public Property Act, continues as the former head of state remains in remand custody while receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of the Colombo National Hospital.

The matter was taken up before Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura. Wickremesinghe was not physically present in court due to his medical condition. Representing the Criminal Investigation Department, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris appeared before the court and argued against granting bail, citing concerns over the seriousness of the allegations.

Peiris also informed the court that a key element of the investigation—namely the authenticity and legal basis of the invitation extended to Mr. Wickremesinghe by the University of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom—has yet to be verified. The invitation is central to the case, which involves accusations of misusing state funds during a 2023 overseas trip.

A team of senior defence lawyers, including President’s Counsel Thilak Marapana and Anuja Premaratne, appeared on behalf of Wickremesinghe. The defence is expected to file further submissions in the coming days.

August 26, Colombo (LNW):  More than 500 lawyers expecting just and equitable society have gathered outside the Colombo Fort Magistrate Court, on behalf of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, whose trail against alleged misuse of public funds is now in motion.

Reportedly, this occasion is seen as the highest number of lawyers appearing for a single cause since the 2022 people’s struggle ‘Aragalaya’.

August 26, Colombo (LNW): Former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa has been ordered to remain in remand custody until August 29, as the legal proceedings against him continue in connection with a corruption investigation led by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The ruling was delivered by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, according to court sources.

Rajapaksa was taken into custody on August 06 at his residence in Nugegoda by officers from the Bribery Commission. His arrest is linked to an incident involving compensation claims for a property damaged during the island-wide protests that erupted in May 2022.

The property in question—a structure said to have been constructed without formal approval—was located on land owned by the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority in the Sevanagala–Kiriibban Wewa area. The building sustained fire damage during the public unrest on May 09, 2022, when widespread protests swept across the country in response to the economic and political crisis.

While the Bribery Commission stated that the land in question was state-owned and therefore ineligible for compensation, it is alleged that Rajapaksa sought to secure financial reimbursement through unofficial means.

Investigators claim he used his former position to pressure officials responsible for damage assessment into processing a compensation request, despite the property being legally tied to a government institution.

The accusations levelled against Rajapaksa include unlawfully attempting to influence public officials, conspiring to commit corruption, and improperly exploiting government-owned land for personal benefit.

August 26, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has formally suspended the operations of three national-level sports federations in Sri Lanka, citing the need for urgent administrative reforms and regulatory compliance.

The suspension, which came into effect on August 25, 2025, affects the governing bodies for Athletics, Table Tennis, and Gymnastics.

The decision was formalised through an Extraordinary Gazette, issued under the authority of Sections 32 and 33 of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973, along with its subsequent amendments.

This legislation empowers the Ministry to intervene when national sports associations are found to be in breach of governance standards or when structural reforms are deemed necessary.

As part of the directive, the Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has been designated as the interim competent authority. This official will now assume responsibility for the day-to-day affairs and overall administration of the three affected bodies until new leadership is democratically elected in accordance with revised and approved constitutions.

By: Isuru Parakrama

August 26, Colombo (LNW): Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has reaffirmed the government’s pledge to formally recognise and uplift the hill country Tamil community—now politically identified as the Malayaga People—emphasising that this recognition is not merely symbolic but a long-overdue act of justice and inclusion.

In a message shared via social media, the Minister described the move as a significant step in affirming the dignity, heritage, and rightful place of the Malayaga community within Sri Lankan society.

He noted that legal measures are already underway to ensure that this recognition is codified and accompanied by meaningful improvements to the lives of those it affects.

Minister Herath highlighted that government documentation, including civil records such as birth certificates, now reflect the designation “Malayaga Tamil people”, representing an important shift towards identity recognition.

He stressed that the community’s status as full citizens must be matched with tangible rights, including permanent housing, access to land, education, healthcare, and transportation—services that many in the community have historically been denied or marginalised from.

Citing the Hatton Declaration as a roadmap for these reforms, Herath underscored the need for a structured and deliberate approach to implementation. He acknowledged delays in the planned allocation of housing for over 4,000 families in the Bandarawela area earlier this month, attributing the setback to technical issues.

However, he gave assurances that the project remains on track and that the administration is committed to ensuring there will be no further postponements.

“These families have endured generations of hardship and systemic neglect,” the Minister stated. “What we are addressing today are promises made long ago—promises that must now be honoured without hesitation.”

Herath also noted a historic political shift in the central highlands, where, for the first time, communities from districts such as Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Matale, and Ratnapura have openly aligned themselves with the National People’s Power (NPP) movement.

This, he suggested, is a testament to the growing trust placed in a political platform that aims to uphold justice, equity, and the rights of all Sri Lankans, regardless of background.