News

24-hr. passport service ends tomorrow

Published

3 weeks ago

May 29, 2025

editor

The 24-hour one-day passport issuance service for the public will come to an end tomorrow (May 30), Acting Controller General of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Chaminda Pathiraja has said.

The 24-hour service has been in operation since Feb. 18.

Accordingly, from Monday, June 02, 2025, applications for the One-Day Service will be accepted from 7.00 am – 2.00 pm at the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Battaramulla.

Applicants who have reserved appointments for that day under the One-Day Service, as well as those with urgent or priority requirements, may submit their applications during this period.

Applications for the Normal Service will also be accepted at the Head Office from 7.00 am – 2.00 pm.

Also, both Normal and One-Day Service applications will continue to be accepted at the regional offices from 7.00 am – 2.00 pm, as was done previously.

News

Senior official from Justice Ministry gives statement to CID

Published

41 minutes ago

June 16, 2025

editor

A senior official from the Ministry of Justice has given a statement to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding the alleged unlawful release of an inmate from Anuradhapura Prison under a presidential pardon granted for Vesak Poya.

Meanwhile, CID teams have been deployed to all 28 prisons across the island to investigate possible misuse of presidential pardons in the recent past.

Investigations are currently underway, and both the Anuradhapura Prison Superintendent and the Commissioner General of Prisons remain in remand over the incident.

News

Committee probing Deshabandu to convene daily from today

Published

42 minutes ago

June 16, 2025

editor

The high-level Committee of Inquiry investigating allegations of gross abuse of power by suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon will commence daily hearings starting today (June 16) until the conclusion of the inquiry.

Accordingly, IGP Tennakoon appeared before the committee at 9.30 a.m. today continuing a process that began with his initial appearance in May.

The committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice P. P. Surasena, includes Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawela and National Police Commission Chairman E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake.

The committee has previously convened on several occasions and recorded statements from IGP Tennakoon and several others.

On June 11, the committee of inquiry with the participation of Additional Solicitor General (President’s Counsel) Dileepa Peiris and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, representing the Attorney General’s Department, and R.S. Weerawickrama Attorney-at-Law, appearing on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, cross-examined the witnesses.

News

Landslide warnings issued for 07 districts

Published

3 hours ago

June 16, 2025

editor

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide warnings for seven districts due to ongoing adverse weather conditions.

A Level-2 warning has been issued for the Ayagama and Ratnapura areas in the Ratnapura District.

Level-1 warnings have been issued for the following Divisional Secretariat Divisions:

Colombo District: Padukka
Galle District: Elpitiya
Kalutara District: Walallawita, Agalawatte, Palindanuwara, Bulathsinhala, and Mathugama
Kandy District: Ganga Ihala Korale
Kegalle District: Yatiyanthota, Deraniyagala, Dehiowita
Nuwara Eliya District: Ambagamuwa
Ratnapura District: Pelmadulla, Eheliyagoda, Nivitigala, Kuruwita, Elapatha, and Kalawana