News
Rs 120 mn bribery allegation: Rakitha, Charith and Aruna granted bail
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama yesterday (28) granted bail to Rakitha Rajapakshe, son of former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Charith Abeysinghe, former Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Horana organiser, and Aruna Sri Chathuranga, former Airport and Aviation Services director. They have been in remand custody since 25 June over allegations regarding receiving Rs. 120 million from Madushika Madhuwanthi, the wife of underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, alias ‘Harak Kata’.
ordered Rs 5 mn each surety bail and Rs 100,000 each cash bail and imposed a foreign travel ban.
They have been suspected of taking money to secure his transfer out of Boossa High Security Prison.
According to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), the two parties got in touch, in 2023, when Madhuwanthi was approached in Dubai with a demand of Rs. 500 million to remove Harak Kata’s detention order and facilitate his transfer. The demand was later reduced to Rs. 200 million, with Rs. 120 million allegedly paid as an advance.
Earlier Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama had ordered the suspects to remain in custody until July 28, noting that bail applications would be considered on that date
The Case will be called again on December 8.The Magistrate
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Latest News
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captain
Turkiye, Pakistan agree Saudi Arabia military deployment under Mecca pact
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