October 24, Colombo (LNW): Former MP Namal Rajapaksa appeared at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning at approximately 9.00 a.m., following a summons.
Speaking briefly to journalists upon his arrival, Rajapaksa expressed uncertainty about the exact reason for his summons, stating that he would learn the details once inside.
When pressed for more information, Rajapaksa remarked, “I am not aware of the specific matter. It’s better to be called in and clarify. The only way to clear the accusations against us is to come forward and provide statements. Some people spread lies with confidence, but we don’t. We will present our side of the story with conviction.“
Whilst it remains unclear what specific allegations are being probed, Rajapaksa’s statement reflects his intention to address any accusations directly.
October 24, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Irrigation has announced a flood warning for several low-lying areas in the southern region of Sri Lanka, which will remain in effect for the next 48 hours.
This alert follows a significant increase in water levels of the Nilwala River due to continuous heavy rainfall in the region.
The areas most at risk include Pasgoda, Kotapola, Pitabeddara, Akuressa, Athuraliya, Malimbada, Thihagoda, Kamburupitiya, Matara, and Devinuwara, with the divisional secretariats in these regions advised to prepare for potential flooding.
The department has urged residents in these flood-prone zones to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
Local authorities have been placed on alert, with emergency response teams ready to assist should the situation escalate.
Residents are advised to stay updated on weather reports and avoid travelling to affected areas unless necessary.
In addition to the immediate threat of rising water levels, heavy rains are expected to continue in the coming days, further heightening concerns about potential landslides in hilly regions. Local communities are being encouraged to relocate to safer areas if floodwaters continue to rise.
Authorities have also warned that road access in and around these areas could become severely restricted, urging travellers to plan their routes carefully and avoid areas that are prone to flash flooding.
October 24, Colombo (LNW): The luxury BMW allegedly used by former Minister Johnston Fernando, who is currently in remand custody over the allegation, may have been illegally assembled and stolen in England, Police said.
Calling in a briefing, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said the vehicle in question had been manufactured in Germany and originally sold to a buyer in England.
Police investigations, using information sourced from INTERPOL, have found potential connections between this vehicle and another high-end car reported missing in England in 2021.
The key evidence tying the two vehicles together is found in the matching Chassis and engine numbers, which are displayed on the INTERPOL database.
Based on this information, the police are continuing their inquiries into the matter.
Additionally, the Government Analyst’s Department has confirmed that the BMW had been illegally assembled, further complicating the case.
The vehicle in question was recently discovered parked at a Colombo hotel. The police investigation revealed that the vehicle had been dropped off by Fernando’s driver prior to the Presidential Election.
Inside the vehicle, officials from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) found several documents linked to the former minister, though no registration documents for the vehicle itself were present.
In a bid to trace the car’s origins, police cross-referenced the garage number with records from the Motor Traffic Department. They discovered that the number plate was registered under the name of a private company based in Nawala.
The owner of the firm admitted that while the vehicle number plate had been registered in March this year, the plate had been stolen from a radio station owned by the company.
Further inspections carried out by Sri Lanka Customs on the BMW’s Chassis number (WBA5E52010G115194) revealed that no vehicle with this identification had been legally imported into Sri Lanka.
This crucial piece of evidence suggests that the car may have entered the country under unlawful circumstances.
As the investigation deepens, the police are focusing on the possible involvement of international criminal networks, particularly those linked to vehicle thefts in Europe.
Authorities are also examining whether other individuals may have been involved in this complex case of vehicle fraud, which could have wider implications for the country’s customs and import regulations.
October 24, Colombo (LNW): The writ petition filed by Social Media activist Ashen Senarathna demanding the nullification of the decision made by the Colombo District Returning Officer to reject his nomination paper to contest the upcoming Parliamentary Election from the Colombo District has been quashed by the Supreme Court yesterday (23).
The election contender wannabe’s nomination paper was rejected by the Election Commission on the basis that it was “not presented by an authorised personnel.”
The decision prompted Senarathna to file a writ petition before the Supreme Court against the Commission and the District Returning Officer in charge on October 16.
He claimed that he was present at the time of the submission of his nomination paper, and the group of officials who he described as the parties receiving the nomination papers made him sit and wait, after which his paper was taken in by an officer of the said group.
Senarathna also speculated that there might be ‘a political fist’ behind the rejection of his nomination papers.
The writ petition filed by the ‘Bika’ restaurant owner was rejected by the Supreme Court nonetheless.
October 24, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has committed to stepping down from office once the nation has been successfully revived and strengthened.
Speaking at a public rally, the President stressed the need for a united Sri Lanka, highlighting the essential role of a strong government in addressing the country’s challenges.
During his address, President Dissanayake underscored the importance of November 14th, the date set for what he described as the “great parliamentary cleanup.”
This initiative, according to the President, will mark a pivotal moment in the country’s political renewal.
“There has been much discussion about the necessity of an opposition, but this time we need a government that empowers the people,” Dissanayake remarked, indicating a shift in focus towards stronger governance rather than partisan divides.
The President also reflected on the deeply entrenched divisions that have historically fragmented the nation, particularly along ethnic and nationalist lines. He pointed out that these divisions were often exploited to maintain political power.
“Our main challenge has been the divisive politics that have splintered the population and driven people towards nationalist parties. This strategy has been used to cling to power for decades. In the past, the Tamil and Muslim communities didn’t believe in our ability to bring about change. Our message didn’t reach them, but we are now heading towards a significant election,” he said.
Calling for unity under a shared vision, President Dissanayake emphasised the role of his party, National People’s Power (NPP), in bridging these divides.
“What must happen now is for us to unite under one umbrella—the NPP—which offers shelter to all Sri Lankans. We need to move beyond ethnic divisions and work towards a future where being Sri Lankan takes precedence over being Sinhala, Tamil, or Muslim,” he emphasised.
Acknowledging potential legal obstacles to national cohesion, the President pledged to implement reforms where necessary.
“If there are legal barriers to unity, we will amend those laws. We will decentralise political power, ensuring equal rights and laws for all, regardless of ethnicity. Our goal is to build a nation where being Sri Lankan is our foremost identity,” he assured the public.
In his speech, President Dissanayake also took aim at long-standing political families and figures, criticising those who have clung to power for generations.
“Many who have been in power for years, passing down their positions from fathers to sons, are now in political disarray. Their once-unquestionable grip on power has crumbled. The problems they created have grown so large that they can no longer even ask for votes. It’s a pitiful state of affairs,” he stated, adding that this was a crucial moment for rebuilding the country and reasserting the rule of law.
Dissanayake concluded by reiterating his promise to relinquish power only after the nation had been fully rebuilt, urging the people to remain focused on the larger goal of national recovery.
“We will step aside when our mission is complete, but until then, our focus is on restoring this country,” he declared.
October 24, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has announced that the financial reports detailing campaign expenditures of the candidates who contested in Sri Lanka’s 2024 Presidential Election will be made publicly accessible from today (24).
This move is part of a broader effort to enhance transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
According to Saman Sri Ratnayake, the Commissioner General of Elections, the income and expenditure reports of all presidential candidates will be available for review at every District Secretariat across the country.
These documents will offer insight into how funds were raised and utilised by the various campaigns during the election period.
The Election Commission aims to strengthen the democratic process and ensure that election campaigns adhere to the legal requirements regarding financial transparency.
The release of these reports is expected to provide voters and civil society groups with crucial information, enabling them to assess how responsibly candidates managed their resources during the election.
Election expenses have long been a contentious issue, with concerns often raised about the influence of money on the political processes.
Ratnayake emphasised that the Commission will continue to monitor and enforce regulations on campaign financing, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
The public is encouraged to examine these financial statements to better understand the dynamics behind each candidate’s campaign and the role of funding in shaping the election.
October 24, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s security forces have arrested two individuals suspected of plotting an attack on Israeli nationals, following heightened concerns about threats to foreign tourists in the country.
The arrests were made by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), with authorities increasing security in key areas frequented by tourists, particularly around Arugam Bay, a well-known surfing destination on the island’s eastern coast.
Police spokesman Deputy Inspector General Nihal Thalduwa confirmed that intelligence reports had pointed to a potential threat against Israeli tourists in the region.
“There is credible information suggesting a possible attack targeting Israelis at a specific location where they are staying,” Thalduwa stated.
In response to these reports, approximately 500 police officers and members of the Special Task Force have been deployed in Arugam Bay and Pottuvil, areas that are popular with Israeli visitors.
The bolstered security presence includes heightened surveillance and the establishment of checkpoints to ensure the safety of tourists.
As a result of the threat, Israel’s national security council has issued an urgent warning to its citizens to leave southern Sri Lanka, including the Arugam Bay area.
The region has been classified as a high-level security risk, with the council advising Israelis to take additional precautions, such as avoiding large public gatherings and concealing their Jewish identity while travelling.
Israeli authorities are said to be in close coordination with Sri Lanka’s security services, actively monitoring the evolving situation.
This security alert follows a similar advisory from the US Embassy in Colombo, which warned American citizens to avoid Arugam Bay due to credible reports of an imminent attack.
Other nations, including Russia and the UK, have echoed these warnings, urging their citizens to remain vigilant and to steer clear of large crowds or public events in potentially affected areas.
The Sri Lankan police have assured the public and foreign visitors that every possible measure is being taken to safeguard their safety.
October 24, Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has directed the National Election Commission to accept the nomination of Pararajasingham Udayarasa of the Democratic National Alliance, reversing an earlier rejection for the 2024 General Election.
Udayarasa’s candidacy for the Vanni District had previously been dismissed by the District Returning Officer, who claimed the nomination had not been formally submitted.
This decision led Udayarasa and two other petitioners to seek legal redress, arguing that all required documents had been properly submitted and that the rejection was unlawful.
The petitioners contended that the Returning Officer’s decision to reject the nomination was in direct violation of electoral laws.
They requested the court to declare the decision invalid and restore Udayarasa’s candidacy.
After reviewing the details of the case, the Supreme Court ruled that the rejection was indeed unlawful.
It ordered the National Election Commission to promptly take the necessary steps to approve Udayarasa’s nomination paper, enabling his participation in the upcoming election.
Senior President’s Counsel Ali Sabry represented the petitioners in this high-profile case.
October 24, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Army has strongly denied recent videos circulating on social media, which claim that the relocation of troops from certain camps was a hasty and unplanned move.
In an official statement, the Army clarified that these troop relocations are part of a well-thought-out, long-term strategic initiative, linked to its ongoing restructuring and resizing programme.
According to the Army’s statement, all relocations are being implemented under the close supervision of the Commander of the Army, the Minister of Defence, and the Ministry of Defence.
These measures are being executed in line with national defence objectives and adhere to strict protocols.
The statement went on to stress that the videos in question had been produced by social media content creators who did not verify their information. The Army accused these creators of spreading falsehoods to undermine the institution’s reputation and incite distrust among the public.
The content, it added, was based on misinformation from a few disillusioned individuals within the Army, individuals with limited career progression prospects, who sought to gain attention on social platforms.
“This irresponsible behaviour violates media ethics and represents a deliberate attempt to damage the strong bond between the Army and the public,” the statement warned.
It also suggested that such misinformation, if left unchallenged, could potentially threaten national security by creating unnecessary tension and distrust.
The Army condemned the spread of these baseless claims, calling on the public to remain vigilant against misleading information.
It also underscored the importance of verifying facts before accepting or sharing any claims that could negatively affect the country’s security landscape.
The statement emphasised that its restructuring process is designed to enhance operational efficiency, further securing the nation’s defence without compromising public safety or trust.
October 24, Colombo (LNW): French electro pop artist Charlie Motto is set to captivate audiences in Sri Lanka with a three-date music tour this autumn.
The concerts will take place in Colombo on October 29, Ahangama on November 01, and Kandy on November 03, providing music lovers an opportunity to experience her unique sound live.
This tour forms part of the French Cultural Season 2024, a cultural initiative organised by the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, in collaboration with the Alliances Françaises network.
Motto, a rising star in the electro pop scene, is known for her ethereal melodies, combined with energetic beats that have drawn comparisons to the latest trends in hyperpop.
Her performances are anticipated to be a highlight of this year’s cultural calendar in Sri Lanka.
The first performance will be held at The Warehouse Colombo at 7 p.m. Following this, Motto will head to Trax Ahangama for an 8:30 pm show on 1st November.
The tour concludes in Kandy at Atelier on November 03, with a performance starting at 6 p.m. All shows are open to the public, and entrance is free, making it a must-see event for both fans of contemporary French music and newcomers alike.
In addition to her performances, Charlie Motto will also conduct music workshops for students of Alliances Françaises in Colombo, Matara, and Kandy, offering a glimpse into her creative process and unique fusion of French chanson, electro pop, and classical influences.
Her recent debut EP Citadelle, released in February 2024, has earned critical acclaim, solidifying her place as one of the most promising new artists in the international electro pop landscape.
Originally from the south of France, Charlie Motto has made a name for herself with her dynamic stage presence and crystalline vocals. Trained as a classical pianist and singer, she has skilfully blended her background in French polyphony with modern electro pop, creating a sound that is both introspective and expansive.
