April 21, Colombo (LNW): New Democratic Front MP Chamara Sampath Dasanayake has been ordered to remain in remand custody until May 05, as investigations into alleged financial irregularities during his time in office continue to unfold.

The decision was handed down by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court earlier today (21), following his formal appearance before the bench.

Dasanayake, who served as Chief Minister of the Uva Province prior to entering national politics, is currently the subject of a criminal inquiry into suspected misuse of public resources.

At the heart of the allegations lies an incident in which he is said to have misappropriated funds earmarked for early childhood education initiatives.

Specifically, investigators allege that he solicited a sum of one million rupees under the pretext of supporting preschools, using the official Provincial Council’s letterhead to confer legitimacy upon the request.

Rather than ensuring the funds reached their intended beneficiaries, it is claimed that the entire amount was instead directed into Dasanayake’s personal bank account by way of a cheque.

The transaction has raised significant concern among anti-corruption authorities and triggered renewed calls for transparency in the management of provincial finances.

The accused was initially remanded in connection with this case earlier this month, and today’s proceedings merely extend his custody as legal teams prepare for further hearings.

April 21, Colombo (LNW): Election-related grievances surged dramatically on April 19, with authorities registering 162 new complaints—marking the highest single-day figure recorded since the campaign period commenced on March 20.

The complaints, logged by 4.30 pm, reflect a mounting atmosphere of political unrest and intensifying contestation ahead of Sri Lanka’s Local Government elections.

A total of 1,874 complaints have been formally documented within the past month, according to figures released by the Election Commission.

These include a wide range of alleged legal violations, underscoring deepening concerns around the integrity and conduct of the electoral process at grassroots level.

The complaints have been channelled through two principal mechanisms established for monitoring and response. Of the overall tally, 145 cases were received by the National Centre for Election Complaint Management—tasked with centralised oversight of electoral irregularities—while a much larger share, 1,720 complaints, were reported at district-level centres across the island, reflecting the geographical spread of tensions.

Though most complaints relate to breaches of election laws—ranging from misuse of state resources and unauthorised propaganda to procedural violations—nine incidents of physical violence have also been reported, raising alarms about deteriorating conditions in the pre-election environment.

Election monitoring groups have expressed particular concern that such developments could escalate further as polling day nears.

April 21, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya unveiled plans to introduce far-reaching reforms intended to eliminate longstanding disparities between schools nationwide.

The initiative, earmarked for implementation in 2026, will serve as a central pillar of the government’s broader vision for educational transformation.

Speaking at a public meeting held at the Irattaperiyakulam Town Hall in the Vanni District, the Prime Minister outlined her government’s commitment to reshaping the educational landscape in a way that prioritises equality, inclusion, and long-term empowerment.

The event drew a large audience, including local parliamentarians and members of the National People’s Power (NPP) movement, which leads the current administration.

A cornerstone of the proposed reform is a commitment to guarantee all children across the country access to thirteen uninterrupted years of education. The move is designed to close the gap between urban and rural schools, and between students of differing socio-economic backgrounds.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the new system will depart from a rigid, examination-heavy structure, making way for a curriculum that fosters broader development and cultivates essential life skills.

Dr Amarasuriya highlighted that the upcoming national budget has earmarked the largest-ever allocation for education in Sri Lanka’s post-independence history. This investment, she stated, reflects the government’s understanding that a meaningful transformation of the sector requires changes at every level—from pedagogy and curriculum design to infrastructure and teacher training.

To support this transition, the Prime Minister announced plans to revamp the country’s teacher education institutions. Particular attention is being paid to the improvement of teacher training standards and the upgrade of physical infrastructure at training colleges.

As part of this effort, a Sinhala-medium teacher training college in Vavuniya District, which had been dormant for several years, is to be rehabilitated and reopened using newly allocated budgetary funds.

Dr Amarasuriya stressed that the reform programme is not just an administrative undertaking, but a moral obligation to future generations. She explained that the vision underpinning the project is to build an education system capable of equipping students not only with academic knowledge but with resilience, critical thinking, and a strong ethical foundation.

The objective, she said, is to ensure that education becomes a force for empowerment rather than exclusion.

The public meeting also saw the participation of Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development Upali Samarasinghe, along with Vavuniya District MPs S. Thilakanathan and M. Jegatheeswaran. Several NPP candidates for local government seats and members of the public were present to hear first-hand about the government’s ambitions for the education sector.

April 21, Colombo (LNW): A profound gesture of recognition has come from the Vatican, as 167 Sri Lankan Catholics who perished in the coordinated Easter Sunday bombings of 2019 have been formally honoured as martyrs.

The announcement was made by the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, during a poignant ceremony held to mark six years since the devastating attacks.

The victims, who died during services at St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade and St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, have now been officially inscribed in the Catalogue of the Witnesses of the Faith by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints—a body within the Roman Curia responsible for the canonisation process and recognising those who have died for their beliefs.

The acknowledgment designates the deceased as Heroes of Faith, a deeply meaningful designation within the Catholic tradition that highlights both the brutality of the event and the spiritual endurance of those who were targeted.

This declaration comes as Sri Lanka continues to grapple with the aftermath of one of its darkest days, when multiple suicide bombings on April 21, 2019 claimed the lives of more than 260 people and injured hundreds more across several locations, including churches and luxury hotels.

The attacks, orchestrated by a local Islamist extremist group with alleged international links, sent shockwaves through the nation and provoked a global outcry.

Speaking at the memorial mass held at St. Anthony’s Shrine—one of the two churches directly affected by the blasts—Cardinal Ranjith said the Vatican’s recognition is not only a spiritual tribute but also a call to the wider world to remember the victims not merely as casualties, but as individuals who died upholding their faith in the face of senseless violence.

The Archbishop presided over the solemn service, attended by grieving families, members of the clergy, and a wide cross-section of the public. As prayers were offered and candles lit, there was a prevailing atmosphere of reflection, reverence, and quiet resilience.

Mourners were not only honouring those who died but also renewing their calls for truth, accountability, and justice—demands that have echoed for years amid widespread criticism of investigative delays and political inertia.

Cardinal Ranjith has remained a vocal critic of successive governments for what he describes as an inadequate response to the tragedy and an apparent reluctance to pursue justice for those affected.

On numerous occasions, he has insisted that the true masterminds behind the attacks remain unidentified and that the pursuit of justice has been clouded by political interference and bureaucratic apathy.

The Vatican’s recognition, therefore, carries not only spiritual significance but also a symbolic reminder of the global Church’s solidarity with Sri Lanka’s Christian community.

By acknowledging the victims as martyrs, the Holy See reinforces a narrative of faith enduring in the face of terror—an affirmation many survivors and relatives have clung to amid a continuing struggle for closure.

By: Isuru Parakrama

April 21, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in most parts of the island during the afternoon or night, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (21).

Fairly heavy falls about 75 mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Hambantota, Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts.

Showers or thundershowers will occur in Western and Northern provinces and in Galle, Matara and Puttalam districts in the morning too.

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

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Ampara district during the morning.

Marine Weather: