Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne announced to Parliament that Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilaka has withdrawn from the three-member Parliamentary Committee that was appointed to investigate and report on a complaint received regarding the actions of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dayasiri Jayasekara.

The Speaker made this announcement to Parliament on Friday at the commencement of Parliamentary business.

Accordingly, the Speaker announced that SJB MP Rauff Hakeem has been appointed to replace Karunathilaka.

The committee was appointed on May 20, after considering a complaint that was received regarding the conduct of Jayasekara in the Parliament Chamber. Deputy Chairperson of Committees MP Hemali Weerasekara will serve as the Chairperson of this Committee, while the other member will be Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.

Addressing the House on Friday, MP Karunathilaka questioned the Speaker on appointing unnecessary investigation committees for minor incidents, which in the past too he had chaired and been part of, that ultimately bore no result where no reports of the findings have been produced. Karunathilaka said that this was the reason why he withdrew from this committee to investigate and report on the complaint received on actions of MP Dayasiri Jayasekara.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested the Assistant Commissioner of Anuradhapura Prison for allegedly abusing the Presidential pardon system during Vesak celebrations.

The investigation was launched following a complaint filed by the Presidential Secretariat on June 6, alleging that unauthorised inmates had been released, in addition to those officially approved under the Presidential pardon programme.

It has been revealed that a number of inmates were illegally released under the guise of the Presidential Pardon granted for Vesak this year.

Sri Lankan athletes delivered strong performances at the 2025 Taiwan Open Athletics Championship, with Nadeesha Lekamge securing a silver medal in the women’s javelin throw and Chamod Yodhasinghe earning bronze in the men’s 100m sprint.  

Lekamge’s Season-Best Throw Secures Silver  

Nadeesha Lekamge recorded a season’s best throw of 56.62 meters, finishing just behind India’s Annu Rani (56.82m), who took gold. 

Lekamge’s performance highlights her consistent form ahead of upcoming international competitions.  

Yodhasinghe’s Speed Earns Bronze in 100m 

Chamod Yodhasinghe clocked 10.38 seconds in the men’s 100m finals, securing third place behind Australia’s Jiseph Ayoade (10.34s) and Japan’s Bruno Dede (10.36s). 

The Sri Lankan sprinter had earlier impressed in the heats with a 10.29-second run, showcasing his potential on the international stage.