News

Ranil denies claims of using state funds for London visit

Published

4 weeks ago

March 18, 2025

editor

The Office of the former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued a statement today (March 18) denying the claims that the former President and his wife Prof. Maithree Wickramasinghe travelled to London for a private visit in 2023 using state funds.

The statement notes that Wickremesinghe visited London three times in 2023 : The first visit was on May 9, 2023, to attend the coronation of King Charles III. The second visit was for the 40th anniversary session of the International Democratic Union (IDU), while he was attending the Paris Summit.

Ranil Wickremesinghe, who also attended the G77 Summit in Havana, visited New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) before traveling to London for his third visit.

The ceremony to confer the title of Professor on Mrs. Maithree Wickramasinghe by the University of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom took place during this time and Ranil Wickremesinghe was invited to the ceremony and attended it while returning from New York, the statement said.

During these visits, Ranil Wickremesinghe also met with numerous heads of state. As the wife of the then President, Professor Maithree Wickramasinghe participated in meetings and workshops organized at the international level, according to the statement.

Furthermore, the statement clarified that although it was initially planned for Ranil Wickremesinghe to leave the city of London in the evening after arriving from New York, his return to Sri Lanka was delayed until the next day due to several meetings scheduled for that evening.

The former President’s Office stated that it is misleading to claim that a substantial amount of government funds was spent on a visit to London by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and officials. This also demonstrates that the current government lacks an understanding of diplomatic trips, it further said.

As the President, Ranil Wickremesinghe did not make any private visit to London at government expense in 2023 while all statements made regarding this matter are false, the statement concluded.

The statement has been issued by the Office of the former President Ranil Wickremesinghe in response to a statement made by the Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Ratnayake in Parliament last week.

News

Dambulla Agri warehouse still inactive – Harsha (Video)

Published

15 minutes ago

April 16, 2025

editor

Opposition MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has alleged that the Dambulla agricultural warehouse complex, which is touted as the ‘first temperature-controlled’ agricultural warehouse complex in Sri Lanka, still remains inactive, despite being inaugurated.

Constructed from 2019 under the ‘Yahapalana’ government, when de Silva served as Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Supplies, the 5,000-MT facility was virtually inaugurated earlier this month during the recent visit of Indian Prime Minister – Narendra Modi.

During an on-site visit yesterday (April 15), Dr. de Silva alleged in a Facebook livestream that the government had misled the public by declaring the warehouse open well before it was fully functional.

In the video, he also pointed out that despite the plaque at the project site saying ‘Temperature controlled Agriculture Warehouse’, it is actually a Temperature and Humidity controlled warehouse.

He also pointed out that warehouse operations cannot be kicked off just like that as it needed the implementation of necessary training for the required good agricultural practices.

He explained that this is not a mere complex where the remaining goods are dumped and the true objective of the project should be understood.

The MP also pointed out that certain sections of the land had been taken over by certain groups and urged the government to look into the matter.

දඹුල්ල ශීතාගාරයේ අද තත්ත්වය මෙන්න.
Posted by Harsha de Silva on Monday, April 14, 2025

News

Gunmen open fire near Gampaha bus stand

Published

2 hours ago

April 16, 2025

editor

A shooting incident was reported near the public bus stand in Gampaha town last night (April 15), police said.

According to reports, two persons on a motorcycle opened fire at a moving small lorry before fleeing the scene.

The two occupants of the lorry had exited the vehicle and run into a nearby shop for safety, unharmed.

The motive behind the shooting has yet to be determined.

Gampaha Police are conducting further investigations.

News

State oil anointing ceremony takes place today

Published

2 hours ago

April 16, 2025

editor

The annual State oil anointing ceremony, held in conjunction with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, is scheduled to take place today (April 16) at 9:04 a.m. at the Sri Maha Natha Devalaya premises, located within the Sri Dalada Maligawa Square in Kandy.

The anointing of oil will take place at 09.04 am on April 16 while donned in green attire facing Southwards, with Kohomba leaves above the head and ‘Kolon’ leaves at the feet, as per the traditional almanac.