News
Kanaka wants Basil in Parliament soon
Basil Rajapaksa should enter Parliament soon and make a comprehensive contribution to the economic development process, Company Estate Reforms, Tea Estate Related Crops, Tea Factory Modernization and Tea Export Promotion State Minister Kanaka Herath said.
The State Minister made this statement while addressing the Rambukkana electoral committee meeting (Aasana Bala Mandalaya) of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna held at the public market there with the participation
of a large gathering to coincide with the fourth convention of the SLPP.
State Minister Herath pointed out that Basil Rajapaksa was currently taking the lead in the country’s economic development work and that he could provide a more efficient and effective service to the country by being in Parliament.
All members of the SLPP were looking forward to Basil’s arrival in Parliament as he had the potential to serve the country in a more formal and efficient manner as a member of the Legislature, Herath said.
Commenting on the political process in the country, the State Minister said that the country should move beyond the traditional political pattern and accordingly the country should be at the forefront before the party. Accordingly, the Legislature had a special responsibility to fulfill the aspirations of the people and the country, he said, adding that Basil Rajapaksa could come to Parliament and lead the parliamentary group and strengthen the current course of government.
Commenting on the revival of the tea and rubber industries, the State Minister said that the current year’s budget had allocated the largest ever amount for the development of tea and rubber sector. Allocating such a huge amount had created an opportunity to develop the agricultural economy along with the manufacturing economy.
Through that, a subsidy of Rs. 250,000 per acre would be provided to tea and rubber growers for drip irrigation for the first time. Besides tea cultivation subsidy had been increased from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 750,000 per acre while the subsidy on rubber cultivation per acre was Rs 500,000, State Minister Herath said.
Commenting on the physical development of the Kegalle District, he said that all the bus driven roads had already been carpeted by now. Rural roads were being developed and constructed by laying concrete or carpet.
He emphasized that no matter what the Opposition said, the programme to build the country would be carried out as the people expected in line with the “Vision for the Prosperity” policy statement.
State Ministers Janaka Wakkumbura, Roshan Ranasinghe, Parliamentarian Rajika Wickramasinghe, Sudath Manjula and many others were present at the meeting.
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.
Davis cup Asia/Oceania Group IV 2026 to be held in Colombo from 20th to 25th July
Navy brings fisherman in distress off Pothuvil, ashore
Malinga, Asalanka seal Galle Gallants win in LPL opener
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
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Features7 days agoPrison riots and politics: NPP’s biggest challenge and Sri Lanka’s biggest opportunity
-
Features4 days agoDirty Money
-
Editorial7 days agoMuch ado about crime: Fish or cut bait
-
Sports7 days agoThe banker who rescued Sri Lankan cricket
-
Features7 days agoMore on Saudi Arabia: ARAMCO and beyond
-
News2 days agoMoney laundering case against Yoshitha, fixed for pre-trial conference
-
Midweek Review4 days agoThe sordid tale of theft and tragedy at Finance Ministry
-
Latest News4 days agoOil prices hit 1-month high as US-Iran attacks dim Strait of Hormuz outlook