July 21, Colombo (LNW): A high-value SUV has become the focus of an expanding investigation into suspected vehicle smuggling and document tampering, with links emerging between the families of two sitting Members of Parliament.

The vehicle in question, a luxury jeep believed to have entered Sri Lanka through illicit means, was reportedly registered under the name of Melanie Abeygunawardena, daughter of MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena.

According to official records, the jeep changed hands in October 2024, when it was sold to Rasika Buddhika Pinnagoda Withana, the son of opposition MP Jagath Withana.

The case has now drawn the attention of the Central Anti-Corruption Task Force, which suspects the jeep was smuggled into the country and then fraudulently entered into the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) database. Investigators allege that the vehicle’s registration data may have been deliberately manipulated to obscure its true origins.

One point of contention is the discrepancy in the vehicle’s reported value. While MP Withana has publicly stated that his son purchased the SUV for Rs. 45 million, documents obtained during the investigation list the declared value as only Rs. 20 million—prompting further scrutiny over possible under-invoicing, tax evasion, or forgery.

The vehicle was recently seized by authorities in Matugama, where it was found in the possession of Withana’s son, who is currently in remand custody until August 01 by order of the Matugama Magistrate. A team of lawyers, including a President’s Counsel, appeared in court to represent him.

Meanwhile, law enforcement officials have been unable to locate Melanie Abeygunawardena for questioning. Despite repeated efforts, she remains uncontactable, and police say she could face arrest depending on the outcome of the ongoing inquiry.

MP Jagath Withana has maintained that his family was unaware of any irregularities associated with the vehicle at the time of purchase, stating that they believed it had been acquired through standard legal procedures.

July 21, Colombo (LNW): Three former senior officials, including ex-Cabinet Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, were formally indicted at the Colombo High Court today in connection with alleged misuse of public assets during the 2015 presidential election period.

The charges, filed under the Public Property Act, relate to the procurement and distribution of large quantities of carrom and draughts boards through the state-run retail chain Lanka Sathosa.

Also named in the indictment are Nalin Fernando, the former Chairman of Lanka Sathosa, and retired Major General Nanda Mallawarachchi, who served as Secretary to the Ministry of Sports at the time of the events in question.

The allegations centre on the use of government resources to secure political advantage by distributing sports equipment to local clubs in the run-up to the national poll.

Presiding over the hearing, High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne ordered that all three accused be granted bail. However, due to existing custodial sentences from a related corruption case, Aluthgamage and Fernando remain in prison and will be formally produced in court at the next hearing.

The backdrop to today’s proceedings includes a high-profile ruling delivered by the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar on May 29, in which both Aluthgamage and Fernando were convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms—20 and 25 years of rigorous imprisonment respectively.

That case, prosecuted by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, found the pair guilty of misappropriating over Rs. 53 million between September and December 2014.

The funds were allegedly used to import approximately 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts boards, which were then handed out to various sports organisations and clubs across the country.

Prosecutors contend the distribution was politically motivated, timed to coincide with the final months of the presidential campaign, and aimed at bolstering support for the ruling party at the time.

July 21, Colombo (LNW): The Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) has strongly criticised what it describes as a covert attempt by the Government to fracture and discredit the student movement by installing politically affiliated individuals as campus leaders.

The student body alleges this is part of a broader agenda to soften resistance to the creeping privatisation of Sri Lanka’s public education system.

In a public statement issued on its verified social media platforms, the IUSF denounced the emergence of a separate student group that recently held a press conference claiming to be the official IUSF and announcing the appointment of a new convenor.

According to the IUSF, this new faction has adopted their insignia, logos, and even official letterheads, in what the Federation describes as a deliberate effort to confuse the student body and dilute opposition.

The situation escalated after the breakaway group also launched social media accounts purporting to represent the IUSF, further fuelling speculation about a politically motivated attempt to hijack the Federation’s identity and mission.

The IUSF’s leadership maintains that this development is not spontaneous, but rather orchestrated from above, accusing the Government of exploiting the student movement’s internal structures to push through controversial education reforms. The group claims the ultimate goal is to weaken public resistance to privatisation policies that many student activists have consistently opposed.

Calling for vigilance and unity, the IUSF urged students, academic staff, and the broader public to remain aware of what it described as state-sponsored misinformation campaigns.

The Federation reiterated its long-standing commitment to resisting commercialisation within the higher education sector and pledged to continue its activism against policies that, in its view, undermine the right to accessible education for all.

The IUSF also appealed for collective action to challenge what it sees as a broader attempt to suppress dissent and silence youth-led advocacy in the country.

July 21, Colombo (LNW): Today (21) will be the deadline for individuals to submit appeals under the second phase of the Aswesuma Welfare Benefits Programme, a key social support initiative aimed at providing assistance to vulnerable households across the country.

Officials from the Welfare Benefits Board have confirmed that close to 30,000 appeals have already been lodged as part of this latest round, reflecting a strong public response and continued demand for welfare assistance.

The programme, which targets low-income families and those facing economic hardship, offers financial support intended to ease the burden of rising living costs and ensure a basic standard of living.

Those who believe they have been unfairly excluded from the scheme — or who need to correct or update their personal details — are being urged to act immediately, as today is the final deadline for submissions. After this date, no new appeals will be accepted for this phase of the initiative.

Appeals must be filed through the respective Divisional Secretariat offices, which serve as the official intake points for documentation and queries. Once submitted, the appeals are forwarded to the Welfare Benefits Board for further assessment and verification.

Applicants are encouraged to double-check supporting documents and ensure they meet all eligibility requirements outlined in the programme’s guidelines.

July 21, Colombo (LNW): Most Venerable Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thero, the Anunayake (Deputy Chief Prelate) of the historic Asgiri Chapter, passed away at the age of 67.

The Thero had been receiving medical care at a private hospital after suffering a heart attack.

His condition had reportedly remained critical in the days leading up to his demise, which occurred last night (20).

July 21, Colombo (LNW): Corruption within Sri Lanka’s public service continues to cast a long shadow over the nation’s governance, prompting intensified efforts by the country’s anti-graft watchdog, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The agency has stepped up its operations in 2025, reflecting a mounting urgency to restore public trust in state institutions.

Between January and July this year, CIABOC received a staggering 2,138 complaints relating to bribery, abuse of office, and procedural misconduct. In response, the Commission carried out 44 raids and apprehended 31 public servants suspected of involvement in corrupt activities.

Those detained span a wide range of government departments and services — including headteachers, police personnel, labour department representatives, and staff from the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT).

Many of the arrests stemmed from allegations of officials accepting illicit payments, exploiting their positions for personal gain, and breaching established administrative protocols.

In one of the most high-profile cases to date, CIABOC last week detained three individuals linked to an unlawful vehicle registration scheme within the DMT. Amongst those arrested was a former Assistant Commissioner who now holds the post of Senior Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Lands.

Also implicated were a Development Assistant and an Investigation Officer, all believed to have played roles in bypassing regulatory checks to register a vehicle improperly.

This case follows a separate raid in May, during which authorities arrested another trio of DMT officials — including a Deputy Commissioner. That operation led to the discovery and seizure of over Rs. 4.1 million in cash, believed to be proceeds of unreported or illegal transactions.

CIABOC has reiterated that these arrests are part of a broader campaign to root out endemic corruption within the public sector. Officials assert that no rank or office is beyond scrutiny, and investigations will proceed without favour under the current administration.

The Commission continues to call on civil servants to uphold ethical standards and has warned that increased surveillance and enforcement will remain a cornerstone of government policy. In parallel, the public is encouraged to report any suspected instances of corruption, with CIABOC pledging that every complaint will be treated with due seriousness and confidentiality.

July 21, Colombo (LNW): Showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, with fairly heavy falls about 75 mm likely at some places in the Sabaragamuwa province and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle, Matara and Kalutara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (21).

Several spells of showers may occur in the North-western and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district.

Strong winds of about 50 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-western and North-central provinces.

Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times elsewhere of the island.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by strong winds.

Marine Weather:

Condition of Rain:
Showers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and Galle.

Winds:
Winds will be Westerly to South-westerly and wind speed will be (35-45) kmph.

Wind speed can increase up to (60-70) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Mannar via Puttalam and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota.

Wind speed can increase up to (50-60) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Galle via Colombo and from Manna to Vakarai via Kankasanthurai and Trincomalee.

State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Mannar via Puttalam and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be rough or very rough at times. Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into these sea areas for next 24 hours.

The sea areas off the coast extending Chilaw to Galle via Colombo and from Manna to Vakarai via Kankasanthurai and Trincomalee may be rough at times.

The wave height (about 2.5 – 3.0 m) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota. Therefore, there is a possibility that nearshore sea areas extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota may experience surges due to sea waves.

Naval and fishing communities are requested to be attentive to future forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.