News

Give priority to rural road development projects – President

Published

1 week ago

June 6, 2025

editor

A progress review meeting on the projects initiated by the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation under the 2025 Budget allocations was held today (June 06) at the Presidential Secretariat, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

During the discussion, officials provided an update on ongoing projects in the highways and transport sectors, highlighting both achievements and challenges faced during implementation. Particular attention was given to the status of initiatives funded under the current budget.

President Disanayake stressed the need to expedite rural road development projects, instructing officials to prioritise their timely completion as part of the broader national infrastructure agenda.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake; Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardena; Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Prof. Kapila Perera; Senior Additional Secretaries to the President Russell Aponso and Kapila Janaka Bandara, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Senior official from Justice Ministry gives statement to CID

Published

21 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

22 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