News
Court orders police to evict those forcibly occupying FSP office in Yakkala
Gampaha Additional Magistrate Dhammika Uduwe Withana yesterday directed the Yakkala Police to evict all those who had forcibly occupied a Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) office at Salmal Uyana, Kirindiwela Road, Yakkala, and to hold the premises under police custody until the Gampaha District Court delivers a ruling on ownership.
The OIC of Yakkala Police was instructed to remove the occupiers, bar re-entry, and ensure that the office remains under police protection.
The FSP has accused the ruling JVP of storming its Yakkala office on 02 September, assaulting party members and seizing control of the premises. FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda told a press briefing that “government-backed thugs” had broken in around 6 a.m., attacked party activists and thrown them out, leaving six injured and hospitalised.
“This office has been our political and union base since 2011. We have all the documents to prove continuous occupation for over 13 years,” Jayagoda said, charging that the JVP members were “behaving as if they were above the law.”
He alleged that senior government figures, including Public Security Minister Ananda Wijayapala, had used state power and police support to secure the premises for the JVP.
Former presidential candidate Duminda Nagamuwa also blamed “government-sponsored thugs,” while stressing that the FSP was prepared to abide by any lawful court order. “If the court directs us through the Fiscal Officer to vacate, we will obey. But the NPP is neither the court nor the Fiscal Officer,” he declared.
The JVP, however, maintained that the Gampaha District Court had already ruled in its favour and ordered the premises handed over to it.
FSP Central Committee member Sujith Kuruwita described the takeover as a “shameful act by the government,” insisting the Yakkala office had served as the party’s district headquarters for more than a decade.
Meanwhile, police have cordoned off the premises, with reinforcements from several stations deployed in the area, pending a final court decision.
The Sri Lanka Navy rescued a fisherman from a local fishing trawler that encountered distress due to adverse weather conditions off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka.
The rescue operation took place on 17 July 2026, approximately 15 nautical miles off Pothuvil. The operation was launched following information received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo.
In response, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed the Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS Vijayabahu along with additional craft to conduct a search operation in the designated sea area, where they successfully located the distressed fisherman.
Following the rescue, the individual was brought aboard SLNS Vijayabahu, where naval personnel administered preliminary first aid. He was subsequently brought to the mainland and rushed for further medical attention.
Meanwhile, the Navy, along with the coordination of MRCC Colombo, remains constantly prepared to swiftly respond to the eventualities faced by maritime and fishing communities operating within the island’s Search and Rescue Region (SRR).
The countrywide dengue outbreak has intensified, with the death toll rising to 50, by July 16, as the number of reported infections surpassed 73,000, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).
The country has recorded 73,455 dengue cases so far this year, with the case fatality rate standing at 0.07 percent, highlighting the severity of the ongoing outbreak.
The Western Province continues to remain the worst affected region, accounting for more than half of the total cases, with 38,700 infections. The Gampaha District has recorded the highest number of cases in the province with 15,341, followed closely by Colombo with 14,625.
The Southern Province has reported 11,382 cases, while the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces have each recorded more than 6,000 infections.
Dengue cases have shown a sharp increase in recent months, with June recording the highest monthly total of 21,538 cases, while July has already reported 18,076 infections. In comparison, 8,590 cases were reported in May, and 5,651 in April.
Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk locations during the 27th epidemiological week. An average of 2,677 new dengue cases are being reported daily, prompting authorities to intensify prevention and mosquito control measures.
The Colombo High Court yesterday (17) resumed hearing the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The proceedings were held before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, where evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses, under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa, cross-examined the witnesses during the hearing.
After recording evidence, the court ordered that further examination of evidence be postponed until July 24.
The Attorney General has filed indictments, alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, valued at more than Rs. 73 million.
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Showers may occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts
Dengue outbreak gallops ahead: Infections surpasses 73,455, leaving 50 dead
Evidence recorded in money laundering case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa
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