News

Body of Lankan killed in Israel, brought to SL

Published

1 year ago

November 9, 2023

editor

The body of the Sri Lankan national named Sujith Bandara Yatawara, who was killed in the Israel-Hamas conflict, was brought to the island this morning (Nov. 09).

A FlyDubai flight FZ579 carrying Yatawara’s remains touched down at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake at around 8:37 a.m. today.

The deceased’s wife and two children, aged 13 and 09, were present at the airport premises to receive the casket. Additionally, a group of state officials including State Minister Arundika Fernando, and Foreign Employment Bureau officials were also seen there.

The final rites of Yatawara are scheduled to be carried out at the Madawalapitiya public cemetery in Thulawela, Wennappuwa.

Yatawara was initially suspected to have been taken hostage by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, however, he was later confirmed dead in Israel.

Yatawara, who hailed from Wennappuwa, had travelled to Israel in 2015 for a job opportunity.

News

Batalanda commission report handed over to the AG

Published

3 hours ago

April 29, 2025

editor

The “Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Places of Unlawful Detention and Torture Chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme” which was recently tabled in Parliament, has been handed over to the Attorney General by the Presidential Secretariat following a directive from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

The report, originally compiled over 25 years ago, was tabled in Parliament recently. The Government has taken a decision to take necessary action and as a result, actions have been initiated to hand over the report to the Attorney General’s Department today (29).

(President’s Media Division)

News

Ex-SLTB Vice Chairman granted bail

Published

3 hours ago

April 29, 2025

editor

The former Vice Chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), L.A. Wimalaratne, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) earlier today (April 29), has been released on bail.

He was arrested in connection with an investigation into a house in Kataragama, allegedly linked to the family of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

News

Franchise agreements of Colombo Strikers & Jaffna Kings terminated

Published

3 hours ago

April 29, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in collaboration with the event rights holder of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) – the IPG Group, has officially announced that the franchise partnerships of the ‘Colombo Strikers’ and ‘Jaffna Kings’ have been terminated.

According to a statement issued today (April 28), the terminations were made due to the respective franchises’ failure to fulfill contractual obligations outlined in their agreements with the IPG Group, which were established at the commencement of their participation in the league.

Accordingly, the forthcoming edition of the Lanka Premier League will feature franchises representing Colombo and Jaffna under new ownership, the statement notes.

As the event rights holder, the IPG Group retains the exclusive rights over the LPL franchise teams and, accordingly, is vested with the authority to transfer and/or assign the ownership rights of the said franchises to interested parties.

Sri Lanka Cricket and The IPG Group remain committed to upholding the integrity, standards, and success of the Lanka Premier League and look forward to an exciting upcoming season with renewed participation.