News
Ranil’s case put off
Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara yesterday (29) put off hearing of the case against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to 28 January 2026.
The case has been filed under the Public Property Act.
The Magistrate directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to expedite the investigation and to produce before court any other suspects connected to this case.
The Magistrate further instructed the CID to conduct an inquiry into whether the incidents that took place near the court premises, on a previous date, amounted to contempt of court, to identify the individuals responsible, and to report to the court at the next hearing on the actions taken against them.
The former President has been accused of misusing public funds to the tune of Rs 166 mn for travel in the UK to attend a ceremony organised to honour his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe.
Former President Wickremesinghe was arrested on 22 August, 2025, after being questioned by the CID. He was subsequently produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court and remanded until 26 August.
After reviewing the medical reports submitted on behalf of the former President, Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura, on 26 August, ordered his release on three sureties of Rs. 5 million each and scheduled the case to be recalled yesterday.
Lakbima Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd, based in Polonnaruwa, has contributed Rs. 100 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to provide relief to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwa.
The donation cheque was handed over this morning (13) at the Presidential Secretariat to Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, by Dudley Sirisena, Chairman of the Araliya Group of Companies.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 12.30 p.m. 13 December 2025 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 13 December 2025 for Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
Based on the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance worth Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers.
This allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to pregnant mothers who were registered at maternal clinics on or before 30 November 2025.
The distribution will take place through the Divisional Secretariat offices from 16 December, as a program of the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.
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