News

Harsha voices threats against him over VFS issue (Video)

Published

1 year ago

June 7, 2024

editor

Chair of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) – MP Harsha de Silva today (June 07) addressed the challenges and intimidation he has faced while leading the inquiry into the VFS fiasco.

MP Harsha detailed the significant hurdles faced during the VFS inquiry. “Certain people not only tried to intimidate me but are now resorting to slinging mud, falsely accusing me of being in cahoots with VFS to hush things up,” he stated.

“We will present a detailed report to Parliament, revealing everything we have uncovered during this investigation,” he declared. “I am committed to transparency and accountability in Sri Lankan governance, and these attempts to silence me will not succeed,” he added.

“Who wants to silence me? What if they kill me on the streets? Honorable Speaker, I am telling you firmly. You are responsible for my safety. This is a multi-billion dollar project. If I am killed on the streets, Honourable Speaker, those behind this will have to be held accountable. What do you say to me? For me to hush up this fraud and corruption? Can this threatening and intimidation happen?,” he further said.

MP de Silva was previously removed from the COPF Chair position twice ; once for intervening in a corrupt coal tender that saved the country a significant sum. He was reappointed unanimously by the Opposition.

News

Train schedules on Northern line revised

Published

9 minutes ago

July 7, 2025

editor

The Department of Railways has announced amendments to train schedules on the Northern Line in response to public requests.

Due to high demand, the Intercity Express train, which previously operated only on weekends, will now run daily between Mt. Lavinia and Kankesanthurai starting today (July 07).

In addition, the departure time of the “Yaal Devi” train plying daily from Colombo Fort to Kankesanthurai has been revised from 5.45 am to 6.40 am.

The Department has advised passengers who made advance seat reservations for the “Yaal Devi” train a month ago, to note the new departure time.

News

Rains expected in several areas today

Published

1 hour ago

July 7, 2025

editor

The Meteorology Department says that several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts today (July 07).

A few showers may occur in the North-western province.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Strong winds of about 40-50 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

News

Former Eastern Provincial Council member arrested

Published

12 hours ago

July 6, 2025

editor

Ampara District Organizer of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal party and former member of the Eastern Provincial Council K. Pushpakumar alias Iniya Bharathi has been arrested.

He was arrested over the abduction and disappearance of the former Vice Chancellor of the Eastern University Prof. Subramaniyam Ravindranath.

Sivanathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan, the leader of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) and former State Minister, was arrested by the Colombo Criminal Investigation Department at his office in Batticaloa on April 8, over this incident.

He was later detained for 3 months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Iniya Bharathi, also known as Kumaraswamy Pushpakumar, was arrested based on information revealed during the interrogation of Pillayan.