News
Revenue loss of over Rs 5.8 bn: CMC member urges Governor to act on audit report
Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) member Sharmila Gonawela has drawn the attention of Western Province Governor Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Gunathilake to the shocking disclosure made by the National Audit Office (NAO) regarding rampant corruption at the Council, which has cost local authority about Rs 5.8 bn over the past 12 years.
Gonawela yesterday told The Island that she had felt the need to take it up with the former Air Force Commander as the CMC was yet to take tangible measures regarding the forensic audit conducted by the NAO on the management of vehicle parking system.
The National Audit Office has released the report in early April, last year, though those responsible seemed to have turned a blind eye to what was going on, Mrs Gonawela, who also represents the civil society organization, Urban Citizens, said.
The report, issued under the hand of Deputy Auditor General S.M.D.S. Sudeesh Rohitha (Special Investigations and Forensic Audit), has been sent to the Secretary, Local Government, Economic Promotion, Power and Energy, Environmental Affairs, Water Supply and Drainage and Tourism, Western Province and Secretary, State Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government et al.
According to the NAO report, that had been sent to the WP Governor, by Mrs. Gonawela, over Rs. 560 mn, that had been collected from the public, by private parties engaged by the CMC to manage parking lots, were not paid to the Council, in addition to Rs 5,250 mn lost due to adoption of wrong procedures et al.
The official pointed out that the Governor of North Western Province Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda had initiated inquiry into corruption at all levels in the Kurunegala MC.
Alleging that the NAO report has exposed members of the Council, who had abused their position and engaged in fraudulent activities, Mrs. Gonawela has asked the WP Governor to officially inform the relevant political parties regarding the conduct of their members.
She has also urged the WP Governor to initiate legal action against them (SF)
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.
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
Former IGP C.D. Wickramaratne dies in suspected suicide
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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