President leaves for Germany ; 5 Acting ministers appointed

Published

2 years ago

September 27, 2023

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has left for Germany on an official visit.

The President and the 12-member delegation left the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake early this morning.

President Wickremesinghe during the four-day visit is scheduled to hold discussions with several political and business leaders.

The President will hold talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on a number of topics.

Meanwhile, President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to make the opening remarks at the Leaders Dialogue session on the first day of the ‘Berlin Global Dialogue’.

The inaugural Berlin Global Dialogue is a German high-level global initiative to address current geopolitical and economic challenges.

During his absence, the responsibilities of the ministries falling under the purview of the President have been assigned to the respective state ministers.

Accordingly, the following state ministers have been appointed as acting ministers :

Pramita Bandara Thennakoon – Acting Minister of Defense
Shehan Semasinghe – Acting Minister of Finance
Kanaka Herath – Acting Minister of Technology
Anupa Paskuval – Acting Minister of Women, Children Affairs and Social Empowerment
Ranjith Siambalapitiya – Acting Minister of Investment Promotion

CID arrests driver of ‘Pilleyan’

Published

20 minutes ago

April 19, 2025

editor

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested an associate of former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias ‘Pillayan’.

The individual is said to have worked as his driver.

The suspect was arrested over the disappearance of an University Vice Chancellor in the Eastern Province in 2006, police say.

Gunman arrested after firing at Manampitiya church

Published

21 minutes ago

April 19, 2025

editor

A suspect who opened fire at the Christ Church near Manampitiya Ayurveda Place has been arrested by the Police.

The shooting occurred around 7:00 pm yesterdat (April 18.)

The suspect, a 38-year-old resident of Main Road, Manampitiya, had fled the scene after firing a shot that damaged a church window.

According to police investigations, the gunman approached the church gate, appeared to survey the area, then returned to the road and fired before fleeing.

No injuries or fatalities were reported.Following a tip-off, officers from the Manampitiya Police Station apprehended the suspect and seized the locally-made firearm used in the incident.

Preliminary investigations suggest the shooting stemmed from a personal dispute with the church’s pastor. Further investigations are underway.

Fairly heavy rains expected today

Published

4 hours ago

April 19, 2025

editor

The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Eastern and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts during the afternoon or night today (April 19).

The department noted that fairly heavy falls of above 50 mm are likely at some places in these areas.

Showers may occur in Western province and in Galle, Matara and Puttalam districts in the morning.

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

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the morning.