Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama yesterday ordered the remand of Lakmanthi Hettiarachchi, wife of former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena, until October 6 over an alleged attempt to bribe a court employee.

Hettiarachchi was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday morning for allegedly offering Rs. 50,000 to an office assistant attached to the Colombo High Court.

According to CIABOC, the alleged bribe was offered in an attempt to influence the imposition of a suspended prison sentence on Gunawardena.

The Magistrate issued the remand order after considering submissions by CIABOC officials and lawyers representing Hettiarachchi.

CIABOC is conducting further investigations into the alleged bribery attempt.

The case follows the Colombo High Court sentencing Gunawardena to 16 years’ rigorous imprisonment in June after finding him guilty of several corruption charges.

The Parliamentary Committee on High Posts has approved three key appointments, including Sri Lanka’s new Ambassador to the Philippines, High Commissioner to Canada and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Ltd.

The approvals were granted when the Committee met recently, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Accordingly, the Committee approved the appointment of Anzul Banu Jhan as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines.

Chandana Rohana Kumara Ambagolla was approved as the country’s new High Commissioner to Canada.

The Committee also approved the appointment of Nusith Kumarathunga as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Ltd.

Reliable and affordable energy is essential to Sri Lanka’s economic growth, industrial development and competitiveness. As the country seeks to strengthen energy security while reducing its dependence on fossil fuels, the energy sector will be a key area of discussion at the Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026, organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on 12-13 October 2026.

The session, “Beyond Fossil Dependence: Balancing Security, Sustainability, and Growth,” will examine how Sri Lanka can diversify its energy sources, accelerate renewable energy adoption and attract investment while ensuring a reliable energy supply for businesses and households. Discussions will also consider the infrastructure and policy frameworks needed to support the country’s transition towards a modern and competitive energy system.

Ms. Edore Onomakpome – Regional Infrastructure Industry Manager – Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, at the International Finance Corporation will keynote the session, and join the panel discussion featuring G.M.R.D. Aponsu – Secretary to the Ministry of Energy, Damitha Kumarasinghe – Director General (Chief Executive Officer), Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, and Manjula Perera – Managing Director, WindForce PLC. The discussion will be moderated by Sheran Fernando – Senior Advisor, Plus94.

The session will also explore the role of public-private collaboration in developing new energy solutions, encouraging investment and creating opportunities within Sri Lanka’s evolving energy sector. It will consider how energy policy and investment decisions can support both economic expansion and the country’s longer-term sustainability objectives.

The Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026 is supported by its valued sponsors and partners. Platinum Sponsor – Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka, Gold Sponsor – VISA Worldwide (Pvt) Ltd., Bronze Sponsor – South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd., Strategic Development Partner – Asian Development Bank, Telecommunication Partner – Dialog Telecommunication, Television Partner – Dialog Television, Session Sponsors – David Pieris Motor Company (Pvt) Ltd., Hemas Holdings PLC, Sunshine Holdings PLC, International Construction Consortium (Pvt) Ltd., Official Logistics Partner – Hayleys Advantis Limited, Official Airline – SriLankan Airlines Ltd., Official Hospitality Partner – Shangri-La Colombo, Airline Partner – China Eastern Air Holding Co. Ltd.

Registrations are now open at https://sleis.chamber.lk/. For more information, contact Alikie on 011 558 8805 (alikie@chamber.lk) or Shanuka on 0701082541 (events.division@chamber.lk).