The Department of Meteorology says that showery conditions are expected to be enhanced in the Southwestern part of the island from today (May 29) evening.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Fairly heavy rains above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts. A few showers may occur in the North-central province and in Mannar and Hambantota districts.

Strong winds of about 50-60 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota and Trincomalee districts.

Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times elsewhere on the island.

In a landmark ruling, Colombo Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeewani today ordered Randeniya Distilleries Company to pay Rs. 1.35 billion in evaded taxes, including income tax, VAT, and Nation Building Tax, for the period between 2012 and 2015.  

The case, filed by the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue, alleges the Kadawatha-based company deliberately avoided tax payments during these years. Directors Piumi Wijewikrama, Sarath Kumara Wijewikrama, Buddhika Wijewikrama, and another female director were also named as respondents in the lawsuit.  

After hearings before Additional Magistrate Bandara Eelanga Singha, the court ruled the distillery must settle the outstanding amount with the government. The judgment marks a significant enforcement action in Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to combat corporate tax evasion.  

The case, initiated last year, highlights the Inland Revenue Department’s strengthened measures to recover unpaid taxes from businesses. Legal experts suggest this ruling may set a precedent for similar tax evasion cases pending before Sri Lankan courts.  

The Illegal Assets Investigation Division of Sri Lanka Police today suspended properties worth approximately Rs. 100 million belonging to J.A. Jayasinghe, alias ‘Bathala Heenmahattaya’, who authorities believe is the country’s largest cannabis trafficker.  

The seized assets include a commercial building housing a pharmacy opposite Embilipitiya General Hospital and a hotel facing Chandrika Lake. Investigators revealed that these properties were registered under the suspect’s wife’s name, with the couple unable to provide legitimate sources for the purchase funds.  

The court has ordered a seven-day freeze on the properties pending further investigations. Jayasinghe, arrested in connection with the asset seizure, will be produced before the Wellawaya Magistrate tomorrow (29).  

Security forces describe the suspect as a key figure in Sri Lanka’s illicit drug trade, with this seizure marking a significant blow to organized narcotics operations in the region.