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.

August 26, Colombo (LNW): Law enforcement authorities have reportedly initiated a criminal investigation into a misleading news broadcast aired by ‘Hiru News’, following a formal complaint lodged by the Prime Minister’s Office.

According to emerging reports, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to examine the matter in detail. The investigation centres around a news item which claimed that Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya together with former first lady Prof. Maithri Wickremesinghe had paid a visit to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe—an allegation the Prime Minister’s Office has firmly rejected.

The disputed report, which has since drawn public attention, was promptly condemned by the Prime Minister’s media unit, which labelled the claim as entirely baseless. In a strongly worded statement, the office urged media outlets to adhere to ethical standards and verify information before dissemination, warning that the spread of false narratives could undermine public trust and democratic institutions.

August 26, Colombo (LNW): A large-scale police operation carried out across the island on the 25th of August has resulted in the arrest of over 600 individuals, according to a statement released by the authorities.

The coordinated effort, aimed at tackling a wide range of criminal activity, saw law enforcement officers conduct extensive inspections across multiple regions within a single day.

In total, more than 26,000 individuals were subjected to identity checks and questioning during the sweeping operation. Amongst those detained were individuals suspected of involvement in organised crime, illegal drug distribution, and the production or sale of illicit alcohol.

Police confirmed that 27 people were taken into custody for their direct involvement in criminal acts, whilst a further 396 individuals with active arrest warrants were located and apprehended.

The operation also extended to road safety enforcement. Officers stopped a number of motorists and issued penalties for a range of traffic-related violations. Amongst those arrested were 73 drivers found to be under the influence of alcohol, along with 23 others deemed to be driving recklessly.

In addition, authorities recorded over 3,800 separate traffic offences during the course of the day.

Police representatives have stated that these operations form part of an intensified strategy to curb the spread of narcotics, dismantle criminal networks, and remove illegal firearms from circulation.

Targeting offenders at all levels—from local dealers to more organised criminal figures—the authorities have signalled a firm stance on public safety and law enforcement.

August 26, Colombo (LNW): Veteran customs officer Seevali Arukgoda has officially taken over as the Director General of Sri Lanka Customs, with the appointment taking effect today (26).

Being appointed, he becomes the 45th individual to lead the institution.

Having first entered the service in 1989 as an Assistant Superintendent, Arukgoda brings with him over three decades of hands-on experience and institutional knowledge. His journey through the ranks is considered unprecedented in the department’s history — he is the first officer to have progressed through every grade, culminating in his appointment to the topmost post.

Over his 36-year career, Arukgoda has not only made a mark domestically but has also built a solid international profile, particularly through his work with the World Customs Organization (WCO).

He served two terms with the WCO, contributing to global customs reform efforts, border management policy, and capacity-building programmes. His standing as an accredited WCO expert has earned him a respected place among international peers, and his insights are frequently sought in areas related to trade facilitation and customs modernisation.

Arukgoda’s academic background further complements his professional journey. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Buckinghamshire New University in the United Kingdom, along with a Master’s in Customs Administration from the Postgraduate Institute of Management at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.