News

State Minister admits to assaulting airport porter

Published

1 year ago

May 17, 2024

nipuni

State Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development – Prasanna Ranaweera has admitted to assaulting a porter at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, ‘Lankadeepa’ reports.

The State Minister had gone to the airport with his security personnel to see off his wife, who had gone overseas.

According to reports, the State Minister had also reprimanded security personnel who had opposed to the state minister’s security entering the airport premises with firearms.

Footage then showed him also assaulting the porter who had transported the bags of the State Minister’s wife. It is reported that the State Minister had given the porter only Rs. 700 when public notices at the premises clearly state a porter is to be paid Rs. 1000.

The victim had gone to the police to lodge a complaint in this regard but had been told to come on the next day as the OIC was not present.

However it is said that he had not returned to the police station.

(Source : Lankadeepa)

News

Maid at Keheliya’s residence, remanded

Published

3 hours ago

June 11, 2025

editor

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today (June 11) ordered the remand of a woman who had worked as a maid at the private residence of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, until June 17.

She was remanded over the case involving the misuse of public funds through fraudulent appointments to the Ministry of Health.

The suspect, Nipuni Krishnajina Rajapaksha, a resident of Embilipitiya, was taken into custody by officials from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on June 11, 2025.

According to CIABOC, she is believed to be connected to a broader investigation into the alleged misuse of government salaries and overtime allowances through false Health Ministry appointments.

News

Ranil gives statement on Immunoglobulin Cabinet papers

Published

3 hours ago

June 11, 2025

editor

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this afternoon to provide a statement.

The statement was in relation to cabinet papers submitted by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella concerning the procurement of Human Immunoglobulin.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived at the CID at 3:00 PM and gave his statement over the course of approximately one hour.

The questioning focused on two cabinet papers presented on September 26 and October 25, 2022, which proposed the emergency purchase of Human Immunoglobulin and other medications.

The cabinet papers, submitted by Minister Rambukwella, cited a severe shortage of essential medicines in the country and emphasized the urgent need to procure additional stocks to prevent a worsening of the crisis.

(News1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

President AKD meets his German counterpart (Pics)

Published

3 hours ago

June 11, 2025

editor

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who is currently on an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, was warmly received today (June 11) by German President Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Upon his arrival at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, President Disanayake was welcomed with full state honours including a ceremonial Guard of Honour accorded by the German Armed Forces. The President also participated in the inspection of the military parade.

Following the official welcome ceremony, President Disanayake and President Steinmeier held bilateral discussions.

The bilateral talks focused on further strengthening economic and international relations between the two nations, with special attention given to enhancing cooperation in vocational training and the tourism industry.

(President’s Media Division)