Indictments were served on former Petroleum Resources Development Minister Arjuna Ranatunga and his brother, ex-Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Dhammika Ranatunga, before the Colombo High Court yesterday (23) on corruption charges.

The Colombo HC directed that the defendants be released on two surety bonds of Rs. 5 million each. The HC announced that the case would be called for a pre-trial conference on 15 May.

The Ranatunga brothers have been accused of causing a loss of nearly Rs. 800 million to the CPC by cancelling three long-term tenders to procure crude oil for a period of six months in 2017-2018 and instead arranging for 27 spot tenders at much higher prices.

The Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (CoPE) has said the allegation that SJB Kandy District MP Chamindrani Kiriella acquired a 43-acre land in Hantana is false.

CoPE Chairman Dr Nishantha Samaraweera, addressing the Committee at its most recent sitting, read out a communication from the Chair of the Parliamentary Ethics and Privileges Committee, Prof Krishantha Abeysena, detailing the findings of an inquiry into the matter.

According to the letter, the allegation had been made during a CoPE session on July 17, 2025, by former Director General of the Land Reform Commission (LRC), Liyanage Padmasiri. He had claimed that a 43-acre plot in the Hantana estate had been released to MP Kiriella in a manner that bypassed provisions of the Land Reforms Act.

On July 22, 2025, MP Kiriella raised a question of privilege in Parliament, asserting that the claim was baseless and had caused reputational harm, amounting to a breach of her parliamentary privileges.

The Ethics and Privileges Committee subsequently conducted an investigation and determined that the statement made by Padmasiri was false. During proceedings, he admitted to the error and tendered an apology to MP Kiriella.

The Committee further noted that the unedited broadcast and circulation of the allegation had adversely affected the MP’s reputation. It directed CoPE to issue an official clarification at a subsequent session to rectify the record.

Dr Samaraweera said the clarification was being made in keeping with that directive.

Former Justice Minister Ali Sabry on Saturday lauded the government’s decision to maintain neutrality by declining a US request to allow aircraft to land at Sri Lankan airports in early March.

Speaking exclusively to India Today, Sabry expressed strong support for the move, stating, “I’m proud that the President had the courage and foresight to do what is the right thing to do.”

Sabry emphasised that the decision was a testament to Sri Lanka’s “ferociously independent” foreign policy.

He argued that as a small nation, Sri Lanka cannot afford to be dragged into the conflicts of global superpowers.

“We shouldn’t get involved in any of the conflicts. Small countries cannot take sides… these are not choices which we have made. Why should we get dragged into it?”

The former Minister also shed light on the domestic hardships currently facing Sri Lankans, linking global instability to local shortages.

He highlighted the challenges small nations face during conflicts, noting that Sri Lankans are currently experiencing LPG gas shortages and fuel rationing of 15 litres per week. (This quota has been subsequently increased).

Addressing the security of the Indian Ocean, Sabry called for a “Zone of Peace,” free from external military friction.

He advocated for deeper collaboration between littoral states, specifically noting that India must play a major role in ensuring regional stability and a “blue economy” that benefits all neighbours.

Despite the current geopolitical tensions, Sabry remains optimistic about the country’s economic potential.

He advocated for opening Sri Lankan skies to more international carriers, suggesting that the country should not rely solely on its national airline to reach its tourism potential.

By attracting major Middle Eastern and global carriers, Sabry believes Sri Lanka can transform into a vital regional aviation and navigation hub.