WEATHER FORECAST FOR 20 MARCH 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 20 March 2026 by the Department of Meteorology 

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kaluthara, Gampaha, Kurunegala and Anuradhapura districts during the early hours of the morning.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Galle, Matara, Mannar, Anuradhapura and Vavuniya districts after 2.00 pm.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

USD 2.3 billion Airbus deal

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday told the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena had admitted delivering a total of Rs. 60 million in three instalments of Rs. 20 million each to the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Rs. 20 million to Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne. The funds were allegedly linked to the controversial Airbus aircraft deal.

Chandrasena, who was arrested on March 12 over bribery allegations connected to the deal, was further remanded until April 2 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama. He was produced before court yesterday by prison officials.

Investigators say Chandrasena is accused of accepting a US$2 million bribe in the transaction and conspiring to secure a total of US$16 million. They also allege that €1.45 million was transferred to a bank account in Singapore.

Prosecutors told court that Chandrasena had created a shell company in Brunei in his wife’s name to channel the kickbacks into its Singapore account.

The case stems from a 2013 agreement in which SriLankan Airlines purchased 10 aircraft valued at US$2.3 billion. Court proceedings are ongoing.The court fixed the date for March 24 to consider evidence with regard to issue warrants for Priyanka Neomali Wijearatne and Shamindra Rajapaksa.

By AJA Abeynayake

Opposition lawmakers yesterday handed over a no-confidence motion against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody to Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne over alleged irregularities in coal procurement, etc.

Chief Opposition Whip MP Gayantha Karunathilaka submitted the motion to the Speaker yesterday morning. It has been signed by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, members of the SJB, and several other Opposition representatives.

The motion accuses the Minister of failing to fulfil his primary responsibility of ensuring the procurement of adequate and high-quality coal for the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant at Norochcholai. It states that such negligence in managing a critical national energy asset amounts to a serious breach of ministerial responsibility.

It further notes that the Minister has been formally charged before the Colombo High Court by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) under Section 70 of the Bribery Act. The charge relates to an alleged act of corruption during his tenure as Procurement Manager of the Ceylon Fertiliser Company Limited.

The Opposition maintains that the combination of administrative failures and pending legal proceedings undermines the Minister’s ability to hold office, warranting a vote of no confidence.

By Saman Indrajith