July 08, Colombo (LNW): In a recent development in Sri Lankan politics, Ushettige Don Nishantha Jayaweera has formally been appointed to Parliament under the National List of the National People’s Power (NPP), following the official publication of a Gazette notification by the country’s Election Commission.

Jayaweera’s entry into the legislature comes in the wake of a vacancy created by the departure of Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, who stepped down from his seat as well as his position as Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning.

In accordance with standard procedures, the NPP formally nominated Jayaweera’s name for the now-vacant National List position.

Upon receiving this nomination, the Election Commission proceeded with the necessary formalities, culminating in the publication of the relevant Gazette notification, thereby confirming Jayaweera’s assumption of duties as a Member of Parliament.

July 08, Colombo (LNW): Several spells of showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts, with a few showers being expected to occur in the North-western province, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (08).

Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

Marine Weather:

Condition of Rain:

Showers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Matara via Colombo and Galle.

Winds:

Winds will be Westerly to South-westerly and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph.

Wind speed can increase up to (55-60) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.

Wind speed can increase up to (45-50) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Matara via Colombo and Galle and from Kankasanthurai to Vakarai via Trincomalee.

State of Sea:

The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be very rough at times. The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Matara via Colombo and Galle and from Kankasanthurai to Vakarai via Trincomalee may be fairly rough at times.

The wave height (about 2.0 – 2.5 m) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and Galle (this is not for land area).

Naval and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant in this regard.

July 07, Colombo (LNW): The Parliament of Sri Lanka has firmly dismissed recent accusations directed at Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, following claims submitted to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) concerning alleged misuse of public resources.

In a detailed public statement, the parliamentary authorities refuted the charges, which included suggestions of excessive fuel use, unauthorised occupation of state property, and an inflated allocation of official vehicles. The statement aimed to clarify the Speaker’s entitlements and practices in response to growing speculation.

According to the official communication, Speaker Wickramaratne has voluntarily chosen to limit his entitlements, notably declining the open-ended fuel provisions reportedly enjoyed by some of his predecessors.

Instead, he has opted to receive the same monthly fuel quota provided to Cabinet Ministers—currently capped at 900 litres.

Addressing further points of contention, the statement explained that the Speaker is permitted two official vehicles for his use, while a separate van is assigned to his Media Unit to facilitate parliamentary communications.

Additionally, three members of his personal staff—a Private Secretary, a Coordination Secretary, and a Public Relations Officer—receive transport allowances and official vehicles as part of their professional responsibilities.

July 07, Colombo (LNW): A legal dispute concerning the exclusion of Sri Lankan students from the MBBS programme at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) may soon reach an amicable resolution, the Supreme Court was informed today (07).

The development follows the university’s recent decision to resume admissions for local applicants, a move that could render the matter moot.

The case was initiated by a group of ten prospective medical students who had sought entry into KDU’s undergraduate medical programme. They filed a Fundamental Rights application challenging what they saw as an arbitrary and unjustified decision to deny local students the opportunity to enrol.

The petition named a range of officials and institutions as respondents, including the KDU administration, the University Grants Commission, and several senior government figures such as the Minister of Education, the Minister of Health, and the Prime Minister.

When the matter came before the Supreme Court, presided over by Chief Justice Murdu Fernando and Justices Mahinda Samayawardena and Menaka Wijesundara, legal counsel for the petitioners indicated that the basis of the petition may no longer exist, given the university’s reversal of its earlier stance.

Barrister Hafeel Farisz, appearing on behalf of the petitioners, informed the court that a settlement was under consideration and that his clients were in the process of reviewing the new developments. He added that a final position would be presented after obtaining formal instructions from the students involved.

The court was satisfied with the update and agreed to adjourn the matter until July 24, providing time for both parties to finalise their respective positions.

Legal representation for the petitioners included Hafeel Farisz, alongside Nishika Fonseka and Shannon Tillekeratne, instructed by Shayamalee Athukorale. Deputy Solicitor General Nirmalan Wigneswaran appeared on behalf of the KDU and other respondents.

July 07, Colombo (LNW): The National Election Commission has temporarily shut down access to all its online platforms and digital services, citing the need for critical maintenance and system enhancement.

The suspension, which took effect today, will remain in place until further notice, according to an official statement released by the Commission.

As part of the temporary suspension, a wide range of public-facing digital tools—such as voter registry lookups, online registration for new voters, district-wise data retrieval, and the issuance of voter-related declarations—will be inaccessible.

July 07, Colombo (LNW): Former Cabinet Minister Duminda Dissanayake has been ordered to remain in remand custody until July 15, following a court appearance earlier today (07) before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate.

The decision relates to an ongoing investigation into the startling discovery of a gold-plated T-56 assault rifle at a residential complex in the Havelock Town area of Colombo.

Dissanayake, who was arrested in late May, remains at the centre of a high-profile probe being conducted by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID). His arrest on May 23 followed a raid carried out just days earlier, on May 20, when authorities uncovered the ornamental yet fully operational weapon concealed within a woman’s travel bag at the apartment building.

The weapon’s presence at the site, and the unusual nature of its lavish customisation, immediately raised questions regarding its ownership, origin, and purpose.

Whilst police have yet to publicly confirm how the weapon was linked to the former minister, investigators are reportedly pursuing several leads, including possible connections to illicit arms holdings and questions surrounding misuse of political influence.

July 07, Colombo (LNW): Former Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles has reportedly been the target of serious death threats allegedly issued by a notorious criminal figure currently operating out of Dubai.

According to informed sources, the former minister received multiple threatening phone calls on July 05, believed to have originated from a leading figure in the organised underworld with known international ties.

Alles, who has played a central role in the government’s law enforcement and anti-organised crime efforts during his tenure, wasted no time in alerting authorities.

He formally lodged a complaint with the Acting Inspector General of Police, prompting immediate instructions for an in-depth investigation into the matter.

July 07, Colombo (LNW): Bradman Weerakoon, one of Sri Lanka’s most respected and long-serving public servants, has died at the age of 94, his family confirmed.

Known for his extraordinary career in the upper echelons of government, Mr Weerakoon was a trusted advisor to numerous national leaders over the course of nearly five decades in public life.

With a reputation for discretion, diplomacy, and dedication, Weerakoon served as the secretary to a total of nine heads of government, including both prime ministers and presidents.

His civil service career spanned an era of profound political, economic, and social transformation in Sri Lanka, and his role often placed him at the heart of pivotal national decisions.

Educated first at Holy Cross College in Kalutara, Weerakoon later joined S. Thomas’ College, Gurutalawa, as one of its earliest boarders—a school that would later produce several key figures in Sri Lankan public life. He went on to read for a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology at the University of Ceylon, where he graduated with upper second-class honours. His academic talents earned him a prestigious Fulbright scholarship, allowing him to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Michigan in the United States. There, he obtained a Master’s degree in Sociology, further broadening his global perspective and analytical insight.

Returning to Sri Lanka, Weerakoon entered the Ceylon Civil Service in 1954—a time when the country was still navigating its early post-independence years. His early postings took him across the island, giving him a deep understanding of the country’s regional complexities. He was later appointed as Secretary to Prime Minister Sir John Kotelawala, a role that would mark the beginning of his long association with the highest levels of government.

Over the ensuing decades, Weerakoon continued to serve successive leaders—seven prime ministers and three presidents in total—advising them through periods of both peace and turbulence. His ability to remain apolitical, while consistently offering sound and measured guidance, earned him respect across party lines.

July 07, Colombo (LNW): A total of 361 high-achieving students from Sri Lanka’s Southern Province have been honoured with a financial award of Rs. 100,000 each, in recognition of their exceptional academic performance in the G.C.E. Advanced Level examinations of 2023 and 2024. The awards were conferred under a newly restructured initiative overseen by the Presidential Fund.

The celebratory event took place at the Rabindranath Tagore Auditorium of the University of Ruhuna earlier today, where students representing the districts of Galle, Matara, and Hambantota were acknowledged for their academic excellence. The recipients included the top ten performers in each of the six main subject streams across the two exam years.

In total, the Presidential Fund has disbursed Rs. 36.1 million towards this initiative. This is part of a broader, island-wide programme aiming to extend similar support to outstanding students from all districts in the near future.

Speaking at the event, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, underscored the current government’s efforts to reform and revitalise the Presidential Fund. Under the guidance of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the fund has reportedly been streamlined to improve transparency and expand access to previously underserved communities.

Dr Kumanayake addressed long-standing concerns over the misallocation of public funds, noting that corrective steps have been taken to ensure that financial support now reaches genuinely deserving recipients. He also revealed plans for digital transformation and decentralisation of fund operations, aimed at improving administrative efficiency.

He further emphasised the pivotal role of education in national development, encouraging the young scholarship recipients to make full use of the opportunity presented to them—not only for personal advancement but to serve the country with integrity in the years ahead.

Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, echoed these sentiments. He remarked that what was once viewed as an exclusive presidential reserve had now evolved into a people-centred welfare mechanism, rebranded as “the People’s Fund.” He spoke candidly about past misuse of the fund for the benefit of political associates and pledged that such practices have been discontinued.

Minister Handunnetti issued a passionate call to the students, urging them to uphold moral responsibility in return for the public investment made in their education. He implored them to act as ethical future leaders who reject corruption and remain accountable to the citizens who financed their educational journey.

Also addressing the audience was Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Mrs Saroja Savithri Paulraj, who described education as a fundamental pillar of the government’s national agenda. She highlighted the administration’s commitment to providing the younger generation with the tools they need to realise their potential, not only academically, but also as compassionate, socially conscious individuals.

Minister Paulraj stressed that the scholarships were more than just financial aid; they represented a promise to build a more educated, humane, and inclusive society. She expressed confidence that many of the awardees would go on to serve in positions of influence both nationally and internationally, and cautioned that their future decisions must be guided by ethics and empathy to honour the public trust placed in them.

A vote of thanks was delivered by Miss Sithmini Madanayake of Southlands College, Galle, who spoke on behalf of the student body. She described the initiative as a life-changing opportunity for students from less affluent backgrounds and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the President and the fund administrators for their support.

The ceremony drew a diverse gathering of dignitaries and stakeholders, including Members of Parliament L.M. Abeywickrama, Lal Premnath, and Aravinda Senarath; Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary of the President’s Fund; Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna, Senior Professor P.A. Jayantha; District Secretaries Chandana Tilakaratne (Matara), W.A. Dharmasiri (Galle), and Bimal Silva (Hambantota); as well as military officials, education administrators, parents, and the honoured students themselves.

July 07, Colombo (LNW): Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (07).

A few showers may occur in the North-western province.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Marine Weather:

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

Winds:
Winds will be Westerly to South-westerly and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph.

Wind speed can increase up to (55-60) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.

Wind speed can increase up to (45-50) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Matara via Colombo and Galle and from Kankasanthurai to Trincomalee via Mullaittivu.

State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be very rough at times. The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Matara via Colombo and Galle and from Kankasanthurai to Trincomalee via Mullaittivu may be fairly rough at times.

The wave height (about 2.0–2.5 m) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota (this is not for land area).

Naval and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant in this regard.