News

Final respects paid to Sampanthan in Parliament (Pics)

Published

12 months ago

July 4, 2024

editor

Speaker – Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, and Premier Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday (July 03) paid their final respects to the late Opposition leader – R. Sampanthan, in Parliament.

Angajan Ramanathan, Deputy Chairperson of Committees, Ministers, Members of Parliament, former Members of Parliament were present to pay their respects.

MP Wajira Abeywardana representing President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Chief Opposition Whip – MP Lakshman Kiriella representing the Leader of Opposition – Sajith Premadasa, were present to pay their last respects to the late MP.

Furthermore, former President and Member of Parliament – Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Speaker – Karu Jayasuriya were also present to pay final respects.

The Parliament secretariat headed by Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Secretary-General of Parliament, Ambassadors, government officials, staff affiliated to the Parliament, former staff members and relatives of the Hon. Sampanthan were present at this occasion.

Upon the arrival of the hearse carrying the remains of Rajavarothiam Sampanthan at the main steps of the Parliament complex where at around 2.00 p.m., the dignitaries including the Speaker, the Premier, the Deputy Chairperson of Committees, party leaders, Parliament Secretary General – Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament – Mr. Chaminda Kularatne, received the remains of the late MP.

Thereafter the Serjeant-at-Arms, Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms and Assistant Sergeant-at- Arms escort the remains received, along the red carpet which was kept at the special ceremonial hall located in the front hall of the Parliament building.

The Speaker and the Prime Minister signed a note of condolence following paying their last respects. Party leaders, former Presidents, Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, the Secretariat and other dignitaries also joined to pay last respects and to sign a note of condolence.

(Pics : Parliament Media)

News

One dead in Kandana shooting (Update)

Published

2 hours ago

July 3, 2025

editor

One of the two persons injured in the Kandana shooting today (June 03) has succumbed.

The other victim – Mr. Sameera Manahara is currently receiving further treatment at Ragama Hospital. According to reports, his condition is not critical.

(Previous news 2025 July 03 – 11.03 am)

Pvt. secretary of late minister injured in shooting

A shooting incident has been reported in Kandana this morning (July 03).

Reportedly, two people traveling in a car were shot near the Kandana Public Market.

According to reports, Sameera Manahara, who served as the private secretary of late Minister Mangala Samaraweera, has been injured in the shooting.

The two injured individuals have been admitted to the Ragama Hospital, police say.

Investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the assailants.

News

3 including Mervyn released on bail

Published

2 hours ago

July 3, 2025

editor

Former Minister Mervyn Silva and two other individuals were granted bail today (July 03) by the Gampaha Provincial High Court.

They were released on a cash bail of Rs. 200,000 and five personal sureties of Rs. 5,000,000 each.

Additionally, the court imposed overseas travel bans on them.

The defendants were strictly warned to refrain from influencing witnesses and were ordered to report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) every Sunday.The defendants were previously remanded over allegations of selling a state-owned land in the Kiribathgoda area using forged deeds.

Legal proceedings are still underway.

News

Monara TV closes down as Swarnavahini too grapples with crisis

Published

5 hours ago

July 3, 2025

editor

Monara TV, launched with much fanfare just a year ago under the Swarnavahini media network, has reportedly shut down operations.

Employees have been informed that the closure is temporary, citing the need to resolve certain administrative issues.

The channel, led by Buddhika Wickramadhara, was ceremonially launched on June 25, 2024, with a grand event at Waters Edge.

Producers who supplied teledramas to Monara TV say they are owed nearly Rs.200 million in unpaid dues.

Meanwhile, it is reported that the parent Swarnavahini TV channel is also reportedly grappling with a serious financial crisis, paying teledrama producers only after 60 episodes are broadcast.

Producers claim they are compelled to wait about 03 months to recover an investment of around Rs.15 million per teledrama. Even then, payments are made in small portions, covering just 05 episodes at a time.

Producers who supplied teledramas before the appointment of Mr. Susara Dinal as CEO say it is even harder to claim their outstanding payments, as they have been asked to recover the dues from former CEO – Udara Wijesinghe.

The Swarnavahini Media Network is owned by Subaskaran Allirajah – Chairman of Lyca Group, which also owns Lycamobile, a global telecommunications company.