News
Ten corruption cases set for court in May, verdict ordered in one case – President
… number of individuals accused of fraud and corruption would face imprisonment in 2026
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday said that legal proceedings against individuals accused of corruption and wrongdoing will unfold “case by case” in the coming months, with 10 cases scheduled to be taken up in court, during May, and a verdict ordered in one case to be delivered within the month.
Addressing the Nuwara Eliya District May Day rally, the President said an order was issued on 30 April for a judgment to be delivered in one of the ongoing cases, underscoring, what he described as, accelerated legal action, under the current administration.
He said the government was strengthening key investigative and legal institutions, including the Criminal Investigation Department and the Bribery Commission, to pursue corruption-related cases.
President Dissanayake said the NPP government was the “most trusted” administration in the country, claiming it had secured the confidence of citizens across all regions, including the Hill Country, North, East and South.
He said the government was taking decisions in the interest of the public, while reducing, what he described as, excessive privileges enjoyed by those in power under previous administrations.
“We are making decisions for the people and removing undue privileges of the ruling class,” he said, adding that earlier governments had worked to expand their own benefits while placing burdens on the public.
The President said the administration’s broader objective was to build a country ensuring stable incomes, quality education, adequate housing, the rule of law and national unity for working people.
He also warned that a significant number of individuals, accused of fraud and corruption, would face imprisonment in 2026, stressing that the law would be applied equally, regardless of political status or family background.
“We do not distinguish between former Presidents, Prime Ministers or their families. The law will apply equally to all,” he said.
A discussion with the Catholic Council was held on Thursday (21) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat under the co-chairmanship of Minister of Science and Technology, Chrishantha Abeysena and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Discussions focused on administrative issues relating to Catholic schools taken over by the Government, the formulation of a structured teacher cadre system for Catholic religious education, the need to recruit Catholic nuns and priests into the teaching profession and the establishment of a mechanism to obtain the support of the Ministry of Education for the administration of Government-acquired Catholic schools.
It was also decided that discussions with the Catholic Council would be held three times annually, while Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage would serve as Secretary to the forum.
Expressing appreciation on behalf of the Catholic Council, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith thanked President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Government for facilitating the discussion.
His Eminence further stated that the expectation was to ensure every student, without discrimination, is given the opportunity to learn his or her own religion and stressed the importance of resolving the prevailing issues within the education sector.
Also present at the occasion were Most Rev. Bishop Harold Anthony Perera, Most Rev. Bishop Christy Noel Emmanuel, Most Rev. Bishop Anton Ranjith, Most Rev. Bishop Wimal Siri Jayasuriya, other clergy representing the Catholic Council, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewa and senior officials of the Ministry of Education.
(PMD)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to broaden the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, which was launched last year. Unlike the inaugural edition held in November 2025 that featured eight Associate teams, the second edition will comprise 10 teams, including five Test-playing nations. The tournament is scheduled to be held in November this year.
Italian Navy’s ITS GIOVANNI DELLE BANDE NERE, which arrived in Colombo (21 May 2026) on a replenishment visit, departed the island today (22 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade a customary farewell to the departing ship in compliance with naval traditions at the port of Colombo.
During her brief stay in Colombo, the Commanding Officer of the ship, Commander Antonio BUFIS called on the Commander Western Naval Area at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
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Italian Navy’s ITS GIOVANNI DELLE BANDE NERE departs following replenishment visit
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Tennessee execution called off after failed lethal injection
Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
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