Politics
BASL rejects committee member's claims over judges' tenure talks
The Bar Association rejected concerns raised by Attorney-at-Law Jagath Abeynayaka, saying he aired them on social media rather than through its own processes.
Politics
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Cabinet confirms Jayaweera as permanent Director General of National Botanic Gardens
H. C. P. Jayaweera, acting head of the department since December 2024, is appointed on a permanent basis backdated to January 31, 2026.
Politics
Cabinet allocates Rs. 232 million to restore 144 more Ditwah-damaged religious sites
A third tranche of funding takes the number of disaster-hit places of worship under repair to 400, with Rs. 1.16 billion committed so far.
Politics
Cabinet approves new Immigration Bill to replace 1948 law
Cabinet has approved gazetting a new Immigration Bill to replace the Immigrants and Emigrants Act of 1948, with provisions for the electronic passport.
Politics
Cabinet clears path for Sri Lankan refugees in India to return
Cabinet has approved special immigration arrangements for Sri Lankans registered as refugees in India to return voluntarily through the UNHCR.
Politics
Digital land registry proposed to curb forged deeds and state land misuse
A parliamentary oversight committee heard proposals for a GPS-based national land information system covering ownership and boundaries of state land.
Politics
Education advisory committee targets teacher shortages and transfer process
A ministerial advisory committee chaired by PM Harini Amarasuriya moved to speed up recruitment for science and maths posts and streamline teacher transfers.
Politics
Government denies MPs received a salary increase
Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa says higher MP payments reflect a fuel allowance recalculation, not a salary rise.
Politics
Passport issuance disrupted for an hour by Immigration Department system failure
A computer system breakdown halted passport issuance at the Immigration Department on Tuesday morning, hitting the one-day service before being restored.
Politics
Jaffna council members protest against commissioner's interference
Members from all parties in the 45-member Jaffna Municipal Council staged a joint protest accusing officials of obstructing elected representatives.
Politics
Elderly man killed in Laggala attack, son-in-law sought by police
A 78-year-old man has died after being attacked with a sharp weapon in Thorapitiya, Laggala. Police say the suspect, his son-in-law, has fled the area.
Politics
Minister Lal Kantha's brother-in-law arrested over vehicle auction fraud
The Kegalle Fraud Investigation Bureau alleges the 59-year-old defrauded a person of Rs. 1,145,000 in connection with a vehicle auction.
Politics
PM orders 2026 development projects completed within three months
PM Harini Amarasuriya ordered development projects to finish within three months, with poverty reduction as the priority.
Politics
587 arrested as police inspect 27,773 people in a day of island-wide operations
Police arrested 587 suspects and inspected 27,773 individuals in 24 hours of island-wide crime and drug operations, including 138 wanted on open warrants.
Politics
President to meet Bar Association on judges' retirement age proposal
President Dissanayake will meet BASL representatives at 1 p.m. on Wednesday to discuss the 22nd Amendment's judicial retirement age changes.
Politics
Prison officer arrested with Rs. 2 million drug haul bound for Magazine Prison
Mount Lavinia CIB detectives arrested a 53-year-old prison officer in a sting after tracing a drug parcel ordered by an inmate over a WhatsApp call.
Politics
Rajitha Senaratne indicted over 2012 leasing of state fishing vessel
Ex-fisheries minister Rajitha Senaratne faces five charges under the Bribery Act over the 2012 leasing of a state vessel to a Korean company.
Politics
Nissanka Senadhipathi gives statement to Bribery Commission over Krrish deal
The Avant-Garde chairman appeared before CIABOC on Tuesday morning to give a statement in an ongoing investigation into the Krrish project transaction.
Politics
Gazette issued to re-establish the old Tangalle Prison
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has issued an Extraordinary Gazette re-establishing the old Tangalle Prison as a prison facility.
Politics
461 arrested in 24 hours of island-wide crime and drug operations
Police searched 25,482 people across the island in a day, arresting 461 including 116 wanted on open warrants and 78 for drink-driving.
Politics
Archdiocese of Colombo says it does not support the death penalty
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith says the Church seeks justice for Easter Sunday victims but holds capital punishment inadmissible under Catholic teaching.
Politics
Man arrested over illegal excavation for artefacts in Damana
Damana Police arrested a 42-year-old from Veyangoda after a tip-off led officers to an illegal dig for archaeological artefacts in Bakmitiyawa.
Politics
Death penalty for drug offences discussed at President's anti-drug council
President Dissanayake's steering council weighed capital punishment for drug crimes as narcotics and bail law amendments near gazetting.
Politics
Committee urges wider drug rehabilitation to ease prison overcrowding
Only 1,506 of 4,962 inmates convicted of drug offences are in rehabilitation programmes, a parliamentary oversight committee was told.