July 29, Colombo (LNW): Former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Janaka Tissa Kuttiarachchi has formally extended an unconditional apology before the Colombo District Court over a controversial statement he made concerning President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Appearing in person at a court session held earlier today (29), the former legislator expressed, through his legal counsel, complete regret for the remarks in question, which he acknowledged had been inappropriate.

His apology comes in response to a high-profile defamation case initiated by President Dissanayake, who had sought Rs. 10 billion in damages.

The lawsuit stems from comments made by Kuttiarachchi during a public rally held on August 19, 2023 in central Colombo, organised by the SLPP. During that gathering, Kuttiarachchi alleged that Dissanayake had channelled five billion rupees into investments in Malta—a claim the President strongly refuted as baseless and damaging to his public image.

In his complaint, President Dissanayake maintained that the accusation was politically motivated and aimed at undermining his credibility by portraying him as corrupt and beholden to foreign financial interests. He asserted that the statement was calculated to tarnish his reputation at a crucial time in national politics.

July 29, Colombo (LNW): Former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera has been ordered to remain in remand custody until August 04, following a decision by the Mahara Magistrate’s Court.

The ruling, issued by Magistrate Kanchana Silva, applies to Ranaweera and two additional individuals implicated in the same case.

The three stand accused of orchestrating the illegal transfer of government-owned land in the Kiribathgoda area by allegedly falsifying official documentation. Investigators contend that forged paperwork was used to present the state property as eligible for private sale, raising serious concerns over the abuse of public assets for personal or financial gain.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that a bail application has already been lodged with the High Court. That application is expected to be reviewed on August 21 August, pending further legal examination of the charges and evidence submitted.

July 29, Colombo (LNW): A large consignment of Chinese-manufactured electric vehicles has been held at Colombo Port by Sri Lanka Customs amid growing concerns over possible underreporting of motor specifications that could significantly impact import taxes.

According to a report by Economy Next, close to 1,000 units of the BYD ATTO 3—imported across six separate shipments this month—are now under scrutiny after officials questioned whether the motor power declared in shipping documents accurately reflects the vehicles’ true specifications.

The vehicles were reportedly declared as having 100-kilowatt (kW) motors, which fall under a lower excise duty bracket. However, Customs investigators suspect that many of the vehicles may in fact be equipped with more powerful 150kW motors.

Under Sri Lanka’s current tax framework, electric vehicles rated at 100kW are liable for around Rs. 2.4 million in direct duties, while the 150kW category could attract taxes amounting to approximately Rs. 5.4 million—excluding additional levies.

A misclassification, whether intentional or accidental, could therefore result in substantial tax shortfalls and serious legal implications for the importers.

The matter drew public attention after it was raised in Parliament by Opposition MP Mujibur Rahman, who highlighted a sharp inconsistency between tax assessments for new and used versions of the same model.

He questioned why new vehicles were being taxed under the lower bracket while pre-owned models—allegedly with identical specifications—were being charged far higher duties. Rahman also raised concerns about potential favouritism or political connections that may have influenced the clearance of earlier consignments.

According to available reports, over 1,000 BYD ATTO 3 units have already been cleared through Customs under the 100kW classification. Yet, conflicting information remains: while BYD does manufacture a 100kW variant for certain overseas markets, its global website lists the 150kW version as the standard specification for the ATTO 3.

Customs officials have launched a detailed technical and regulatory investigation to determine whether the declarations were intentionally misrepresented to benefit from lower import taxes. If the vehicles are ultimately found to exceed the declared motor capacity, authorities may impose retrospective duties and penalties, potentially passing additional costs onto end customers.

Meanwhile, vehicle buyers who were expecting deliveries in the coming weeks are facing unexpected delays. Several customers reported being informed of a hold-up by the local agent, though no official explanation has been provided. The situation has left many prospective owners uncertain about the status of their purchases.

July 29, Colombo (LNW): The monthly financial assistance granted to elderly citizens under the Aswesuma welfare scheme is set to be credited to recipients’ bank accounts tomorrow (30), according to the Welfare Benefits Board.

Chairman of the Board, Jayantha Weeraratne, confirmed that funds have already been transferred to the respective benefit accounts of those eligible. Beneficiaries will be able to access the allowance from tomorrow via their designated bank accounts.

A total of over Rs. 3 billion—specifically Rs. 3,003,840,000—has been allocated and distributed among 600,768 elderly individuals across the country. These recipients have been identified through the national framework aimed at supporting economically disadvantaged and vulnerable households.

The Aswesuma initiative remains a key pillar of the state’s welfare strategy, designed to extend sustained assistance to senior citizens facing financial hardship.

July 29, Colombo (LNW): Former Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) of Police, Priyantha Jayakody, has been taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on suspicion of lodging a false complaint involving a purported threat from a known underworld figure.

The retired senior officer is accused of falsely alleging that he had received threats from an individual known in criminal circles as ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the complaint may have been deliberately misleading, prompting legal action.

Jayakody, who previously held a high-ranking post within the police service, is currently being held under CID supervision at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment.

July 29, Colombo (LNW): Authorities have confirmed the discovery of three bodies at a residence in Yahalatenna, including that of the Opposition Leader of the Yatinuwara Pradeshiya Sabha, his wife, and their daughter.

The tragic incident came to light when the bodies were found under circumstances that remain unclear. Law enforcement personnel responded promptly to the scene, and a full-scale investigation is currently in progress to ascertain the cause of death.

Police have cordoned off the area and forensic experts have been deployed to assist in the inquiry. Officials have urged the public to refrain from drawing conclusions until a thorough post-mortem examination and further investigative steps are completed.

July 29, Colombo (LNW): A figure believed to be a key player in Sri Lanka’s organised criminal underworld was taken into custody at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, following his deportation from India, law enforcement authorities confirmed.

The suspect, identified as Sahan Sisi Kalum and widely known by the alias “Weligama Sahan,” was intercepted by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) shortly after disembarking.

His arrival had been anticipated following cooperation between Sri Lankan and Indian authorities, resulting in his extradition to face charges in connection with a string of violent crimes.

Weligama Sahan is alleged to be the principal suspect behind several high-profile shooting incidents, including attacks in the Panadura and Kalutara areas that drew public attention due to their brazen nature.

He has also been linked to the attempted killing of an individual referred to as “Paththe Suranga” in Mattakkuliya—an incident widely believed to be a targeted hit in a wider turf conflict between rival underworld networks.

Police sources have further described the suspect as a hired gun with ties to contract killings and organised crime operations spanning multiple regions. His alleged involvement in orchestrating targeted shootings has made him a figure of considerable interest to law enforcement, particularly in the context of rising concerns over underworld violence.

After his arrest at the airport, Sahan was handed over to the Kalutara Range Crime Division, which has now taken the lead in conducting a deeper investigation.

Authorities are expected to interrogate the suspect to gather intelligence on broader criminal networks, illicit arms trafficking, and potential collaborators both within Sri Lanka and abroad.

Investigators are also looking into his activities while in India, amid growing suspicions that elements of Sri Lanka’s underworld are operating transnationally, using neighbouring territories as safe havens and operational bases.

July 29, Colombo (LNW): The Attorney General’s office has confirmed that an international red notice has been issued seeking the arrest of Don Shamantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha, the man convicted in the notorious Royal Park murder case, following the Supreme Court’s ruling that his Presidential pardon was legally unsound.

The revelation was made during a hearing before the Supreme Court, as part of ongoing proceedings to monitor compliance with a previous judgment. The case in question involves a Fundamental Rights petition that challenged former President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to grant a special pardon to Jayamaha, who had been convicted of the brutal 2005 killing of a young woman at a Colombo apartment complex and sentenced to death.

Appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, a State Counsel informed the court that the red warrant—an Interpol mechanism requesting the arrest of fugitives for extradition—has now been secured. This marks a key development in the state’s efforts to locate and return Jayamaha to Sri Lanka, following the court’s directive earlier this year.

On June 06, 2024, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling declaring that the former President’s pardon was not only arbitrary but also legally invalid. The Court found that due process had been disregarded and instructed relevant authorities, including the Attorney General’s Department, to initiate extradition proceedings against Jayamaha, who is currently at large.

The matter returned to court to assess the implementation of the June order and to determine what concrete steps had been taken in pursuit of Jayamaha’s return. The announcement regarding the red warrant was welcomed as a sign that enforcement mechanisms were finally being activated.

President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena, together with Counsel Rukshan Senadheera, represented the petitioner who brought the case before the court. Saliya Peiris PC, representing the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, was also present, signalling the legal profession’s vested interest in the integrity of the Presidential pardon process and the broader implications for rule of law.

The case has sparked considerable public interest, not only because of the high-profile nature of the original crime, but also due to widespread concerns over the perceived misuse of executive clemency powers. The court’s ruling and the subsequent move to secure Jayamaha’s extradition have been interpreted by legal analysts as a strong assertion of judicial oversight over executive actions, especially in matters involving grave criminal convictions.

The hearing has been adjourned, with the Supreme Court expected to review further updates on the extradition process in the coming months.

July 29, Colombo (LNW): During his official visit to the Maldives, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake engaged in high-level bilateral talks with Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, marking a significant step forward in diplomatic engagement between the two neighbouring nations.

The meeting took place at the Presidential Office in Malé, where President Dissanayake was received with full ceremonial honours. Upon arrival, he was warmly welcomed by President Muizzu, and after a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two leaders participated in a customary signing of the guest book, followed by a formal photograph to commemorate the occasion.

The talks that followed were both cordial and comprehensive, covering a broad range of issues aimed at enhancing cooperation between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The two heads of state reaffirmed their commitment to fostering stronger regional ties and acknowledged the importance of maintaining close collaboration in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.

A key outcome of the discussions was the formal exchange of two bilateral agreements. The first, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Bandaranaike Diplomatic Training Institute and the Foreign Service Institute of Maldives (FOSIM), seeks to facilitate structured collaboration in the training of diplomats and the sharing of institutional knowledge, including diplomatic protocols, international law, and foreign policy strategy.

The second agreement focuses on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, providing a framework for cooperation in investigations, judicial proceedings, and the exchange of information to combat transnational crime. Both agreements are viewed as vital steps towards a more cohesive regional approach to governance, justice, and diplomacy.

The documents were formally exchanged by Dr Abdulla Khaleel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. The presence of these senior officials added a strong sense of institutional support to the agreements, signalling intent to follow through on their implementation.

Following the conclusion of the formalities, both Presidents addressed the media, offering reflections on the day’s events and their shared aspirations for a future defined by mutual trust and cooperation. President Dissanayake described the visit as a timely opportunity to reaffirm the deep bonds between the two Indian Ocean nations, while President Muizzu welcomed Sri Lanka’s proactive approach to diplomatic engagement.