News
Gold smuggling MP SLPP’s baby, says Rishad

Raheem voted with govt. on all occasions, including enactment of 20A
By Shamindra Ferdinando
All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader Rishad Bathiudeen said that Ali Sabri Raheem was the ruling SLPP’s responsibility.
The SLPP as well as Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, who accepted MP Raheem as a leader of a political party should deal with Puttalam District MP Raheem, the ACMC leader said.
An apparently irritated Vanni District MP said so when The Island asked him whether as the leader of that party that fielded Raheem on the Muslim National Alliance (MNA) ticket at the last general election he would initiate disciplinary action against the first time entrant to the parliament.
Except for Puttalam, the ACMC contested other areas at the August 2020 general election on the SJB ticket.
Lawmaker Bathiudeen alleged that soon after being elected to parliament MP Raheem switched his allegiance to the SLPP. In spite of specific directive to all members of their grouping not to throw their weight behind the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, MP Raheem voted with the SLPP on all occasions, MP Bathiudeen said. The Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration enacted the 20th Amendment to the Constitution in Oct 2020.
At one point MP Raheem declared himself as the leader of the MNA, MP Bathiudeen said, alleging that he was among the favoured. “MP Raheem voted with the SLPP throughout this period,” the former SLMC MP said. Bathiudeen represented the SLMC in parliament before he formed the ACMC.
Gampaha District SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna on Tuesday (23) told parliament that MP Raheem should be dealt with appropriately. Such incidents prompted the public to point finger at all 225 members of parliament, MP Rajakaruna said, warning of dire consequences unless the MP was punished.
SLFP leader and former President Maithripala Sirisena called for the harshest possible action against the MP while endorsing the views expressed by the SJB MP.
The Customs apprehended the MP after he tried to walk through the VIP channel after having arrived from Dubai aboard a flydubai FZ 547 flight on Tuesday morning.
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Latest News
Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]
News
RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.
Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.
Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.
In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.
Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.
The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.
The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.
He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.
According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.
Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.
However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.
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