The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has announced that trading hours will be shortened on May 06, in view of the Local Government Elections.

On that day, trading, which commences at 9.30am, will conclude at 12:30pm – two hours earlier than the usual closing time of 2:30pm.

The CSE stated that the decision was made to accommodate the convenience of investors, staff, and other market participants during the election day.

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (02) granted bail to Thusitha Halloluwa, who is charged with the alleged misuse of a computer and a mobile phone valued at over Rs. 470,000, which were issued to him during his tenure as Acting Director of the National Lotteries Board (NLB).

Accordingly, Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura ordered the suspect to be released on two surety bails of Rs. 200,000 each and imposed an overseas travel ban preventing him from leaving the country.

Appearing on behalf of the suspect, Attorney-at-Law Ajith Pathirana informed the court that his client served as Acting Director of the National Lotteries Board from 2017 to 2019, during which he was provided with a computer and mobile phone as per standard entitlements for directors.

The attorney further stated that although the suspect offered to reimburse the cost of the equipment upon leaving office, the National Lotteries Board had refused the payment. He noted that his client subsequently remitted the due amount via money order in October last year.

Appearing for Fort Police, OIC Dileepa Perera informed the court that the payment had been made only after a formal complaint regarding the matter was filed.

After considering the facts presented before the court, the Magistrate ruled that there was insufficient evidence to deny bail and accordingly granted the suspect a conditional release.

The case is scheduled to be re-called on May 30.

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has informed that the 24-hour service implemented for one-day service passport issuance will not be operated on May 05, 06 and 07.

The Immigration and Emigration Controller said that this decision was taken as rendering one-day and normal services for issuing passports to the public have to be restricted due to the duties of Local Authorities Election 2025 on these days