A meeting was held yesterday (June 17) under the patronage of Defence Secretary – Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha to address the recurring damage caused by wild elephants to the security fence at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA).

Senior officials from the Civil Security Department, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Pvt. Ltd., the Tri-Forces, and the Ministry of Defence had also attended the discussion.

The discussion focused on implementing both immediate repairs and long-term preventive measures, with the Defence Secretary instructing the Tri-Forces and all relevant agencies to act swiftly.

He emphasized the need for sustainable solutions that balance airport security with the natural movement of wildlife, and called for continued coordination among stakeholders to ensure timely implementation.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has remanded 03 suspects, including consultant neurosurgeon Dr. Maheshi Surasinghe Wijerathna of Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, until June 24 over allegations of selling medicines at inflated prices through a third party.

The other suspects are hospital management assistant Kekulandala Liyanage Indika and Nimal Ranjith, an employee of a private institution run by the doctor.

They were arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday (June 17) and produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawala.

The Magistrate granted CIABOC’s request for remand, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

The Opposition has announced plans to lodge complaints with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Inter-Parliamentary Union over what it describes as anti-democratic conduct by the Speaker.

Deputy Organizer Ajith P. Perera stated this, following 02 press briefings held after opposition members, including those from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), walked out of Parliament yesterday (June 17) in protest.

They claimed the Speaker denied them the opportunity to address concerns regarding the impact of the Iran-Israel conflict on Sri Lanka.