News
Namal: Allegations of corruption against Rajapaksas baseless

By Shamindra Ferdinando
SLPP presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa, MP, recently accused incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe of squandering public funds on politically motivated investigations targeting the Rajapaksas during his tenure as the yahapalana Premier.
Referring to high profile investigations that had been carried out during 2015-2019 period, the Hambanthota District parliamentarian declared that the government couldn’t find an iota of evidence to support their accusations.
Attorney-at-law Rajapaksa said so addressing a public rally organized at Naula in support of the SLPP presidential polls campaign. Lawmaker Rajapaksa questioned what he called wasting of public funds on spate of useless investigations and related judicial processes. The SLPPer ridiculed the yahapalana actions that achieved nothing while pointing out Wickremasinghe who spearheaded that dirty campaign was at the helm today.
Lawmaker Rajapaksa recalled the declaration made by the then Premier Wickremesinghe in parliament told how his government investigated accountants maintained by the Rajapaksas the world over.
The SLPP candidate said that the government looked for his Lamborghinis while investigating his mother Shiranthi for having a discarded helicopter at one of her pre-schools.
Law enforcement authorities had nothing else to do as the yahapalana leaders were hell-bent on going after the Rajapaksas, MP Rajapaksa said. Acknowledging that he had appeared before court during the 2024 presidential election campaign, MP Rajapaksa declared that they had been cleared by courts.
Pointing out that he too had an opportunity to switch sides the way many ministers did, MP Rajapaksa emphasised his determination to engage in what he called principled politics. “We’ll work with a view to rebuilding the country,” the former minister said.
Reiterating his commitment to create a clean political environment, lawmaker Rajapaksa promised that he would take tangible measures to ensure fraud and corruption, two issues that dominated the election platform were effectively dealt with. The presidential hopeful vowed to implement a transparent tender and procurement process at all levels while launching a special project to create two million jobs.The SLPP candidate also promised to protect the country’s unitary status while guaranteeing equal rights for all communities.
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Latest News
Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]
News
RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.
Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.
Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.
In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.
Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.
The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.
The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.
He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.
According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.
Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.
However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.
-
Features6 days ago
RuGoesWild: Taking science into the wild — and into the hearts of Sri Lankans
-
News5 days ago
Orders under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruptions Act No. 9 of 2023 for concurrence of parliament
-
Features7 days ago
New species of Bronzeback snake, discovered in Sri Lanka
-
News5 days ago
Prof. Rambukwella passes away
-
Business13 hours ago
Pick My Pet wins Best Pet Boarding and Grooming Facilitator award
-
News7 days ago
Photo of Sacred tooth relic: CID launches probe
-
Opinion6 days ago
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policy amid Geopolitical Transformations: 1990-2024 – Part IX
-
Features7 days ago
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policy amid Geopolitical Transformations: 1990-2024 – Part VIII