The Magistrate made the order when he took up an existing case regarding a land in the Eliyakanda area of Matara that was purchased using allegedly illegally earned money of Rs.50 million.The FCID had filed this case against Basil Rajapaksa and 04 other defendants in 2017 over the alleged purchase of a 1.5 acre land in Eliyakanda, Matara under the name of his wife’s sister, using Rs.50 million allegedly obtained through illegal means.

The first suspect in this case is Tissa Galappaththi, the second suspect is Muditha Jayakody, the third suspect is former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, and the fourth suspect is Ayomi Galappaththi, the sister of the former Minister’s wife.The first suspect in this case is Tissa Galappaththi, the second is Muditha Jayakody, the third is former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, and the fourth is Ayomi Galappaththi, the sister of Rajapaksa’s wife.

While the first 02 suspects, who are out on bail, appeared in court, Basil Rajapaksa and Ayomi Galappaththi were absent.

Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, representing the Attorney General’s Department, noted that while Basil had been granted court permission to travel abroad until May 23, he failed to appear without a reasonable excuse and requested that his bail be revoked and a warrant issued.

In defense, President’s Counsel Anil Silva stated that his client had booked return flights for May 18 and 19, but US doctors had advised Rajapaksa against flying for 06 months after he had fallen off a chair, sustaining damage to his neck and nerves.

Girihagama questioned the claim, stating that the X Rays only indicated a neck sprain and a minor muscle strain. Noting that the medical reports were dated March 18, 2025, it was also questioned as to why tickets were booked for May 18 and 19 if doctors had actually advised against flying for 06 months. Therefore, Girihagama called for the court to revoke bail.

President’s Counsel Silva strongly defended his client, rejecting accusations of faking illness, affirming the credibility of US medical reports, and assuring the court of his client’s presence at the next hearing, arguing there is no need for a warrant or revoke bail.

After hearing both sides, Magistrate Aruna Buddhadasa decided not to issue a warrant or revoke bail, instructing that the accused be present on the next court date. The case was postponed to November 21.

(Source: Dinamina)

The cultural luminary, who passed away on May 24 at 78, will be honoured with full ceremonial rites attended by artists, dignitaries, and adoring fans.  

Final journey of a cinematic legend

The late actress’s remains, lying in state at the National Film Corporation’s Tharangani Hall, will be taken to **Independence Square at 8:00 AM. 

The public can pay their last respects from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  

At 3:30 PM, her body will be moved to a special platform for Buddhist rites, organized by fellow artists and former students of Gurukula College, Kelaniya, her alma mater. The final cremation rites will commence at 5:45 PM.  

Traffic advisory

Police have announced brief traffic restrictions around Independence Square. While no major road closures are planned, vehicles entering Nidahas Mawatha from the Independence Roundabout will face 15-minute delays as the procession passes.  

A legacy that transcended borders  

Malini Fonseka’s illustrious career spanned nearly 150 films, earning her multiple Sarasaviya Awards for classics like Hingana Kolla (1980), Aradhana (1982), and Yasa Isuru (1983). She broke barriers as the first Sri Lankan actress to win international acclaim, securing awards at the Moscow (1975) and New Delhi (1977) film festivals.  

Her collaboration with Indian cinema legend Sivaji Ganesan in Pilot Premnath(1978) and her recognition as one of Asia’s 25 Greatest Film Actors of All Time (CNN, 2010) cemented her as a cultural icon.  

As Sri Lanka bids farewell, her legacy endures—not just in film, but as a trailblazer who elevated **Sri Lankan cinema onto the world stage.

Funeral schedule:  

Public viewing: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM  
Religious rites: 3:30 PM  
Cremation: 5:45 PM  

Investigators from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) had found the cash packed in packets and

ready for distribution when they raided the premises armed with a search warrant.

Further investigations have found that the cash amounted to bribes collected from people who had visited the different divisions of the DMT from Monday to Friday of that week, sources added.

Bribery Commission officials who visited the DMT with the search warrant had come upon the cash stacked in a cupboard in the office room of one of the deputy commissioners.

The key to the cupboard, however, had been in the hands of an office assistant, who was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation of why he had the key to a cupboard with so much money in his possession.

CIABOC officials had arrested the deputy commissioner, a management assistant and the office assistant once they uncovered that the cash had been collected to be distributed among DMT employees on Friday.

The three suspects, identified as Deputy Commissioner Dilantha Nuwan Kumara, Pradeep Nishantha and D. Samantha Perera, were produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga and remanded till June 6.

(sundaytimes.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

Born on April 30, 1947, in Kelaniya as Wanni Arachchige Malani Senehelatha Fonseka, she later rose to fame in Sri Lankan cinema under the name Malani Fonseka.

Fonseka began her acting career on stage in 1963 and made her cinematic debut in 1968 with the film Punchi Baba.

She won the Most Popular Actress award in 1973 and has received numerous accolades, including the President’s Award, Sarasavi Award, OCIC Award, and Sumathi Award, with several honors for Best Actress.

Plays such as Nidhanaya, Bambaru Awitha, Wekande Walawwa, Aradhana, and Ammawarune are regarded as outstanding works that showcased the acting talents of Malani Fonseka.

Beyond her artistic achievements, she entered politics in 2010 and served as a National List Member of Parliament until 2015.

The outlet in question is also located close to the Jaffna MC and had been opened only on May 09 this year. It is the chain’s second outlet in Jaffna with the older one located on the Hospital Road in Jaffna.

The nameboard removal had taken place on May 22 following intense opposition from a group of local residents, reports say.

On May 20, Thavathiru Velan Swami of the Nallur Shiva Guru Ashram in Jaffna, along with vegetarian Shiva devotees, launched a protest demonstration, calling for the immediate removal of the Barista near the Nallur Kovil. Citing that the outlet was a non-vegetarian one, they had appealed to the Jaffna MC to take action and remove the outlet due to its close proximity to the sacred site.

According to provincial reporters, the outlet is located about 400m from the Nallur Kovil, on land considered sacred Kovil property.

On May 21, they formally submitted a letter containing 100 signatures to the Municipal Commissioner reiterating their demand.

Claiming that the non-vegetarian Barista outlet on sacred Nallur land hinders the ethnic and religious coexistence, Thavathiru Velan Swamy has requested its closure in a letter to the Municipal Commissioner.

Copies of the letter submitted to the Municipal Commissioner by the protesters have also been sent to the Northern Provincial Governor, District Secretary, Secretary of the Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha, and the Director of the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs.

Thavathiru Velan Swamy stated that on May 13, MC officials verbally instructed the outlet’s management to close, and he also sent a formal email to the company’s management on the same day.

This was announced by Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe based on data from the Epidemiology Unit.

Recent media reports have noted rising infections in some Asian countries, but Dr. Jasinghe explained this could be due to reduced immunity and other factors, not necessarily a new variant.

Nevertheless, the Health Ministry has taken steps to strengthen preparedness and safeguard public health at the national level.

Dr.Jasinghe further said clinical sample testing for COVID-19 is continuously conducted across a network of selected hospitals as part of an integrated respiratory surveillance system.

These tests have not indicated any notable increase in COVID-19 cases at present.

“While minor increases in respiratory illnesses like influenza or COVID-19 may occur from time to time, the overall risk to the public remains low,” the Ministry added.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the International Tea Day, Tea for Harmony: Yaji 2025 China-Sri Lanka Cultural Gala event held 21st May at Marino Beach hotel in Colombo.

This event organized by China Cultural Centre in Sri Lanka, Department of Cultural and Tourism of XiZang Autonomous region – China, Ministry of culture and tourism -China and Embassy of China in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister further stated,

“It is a great pleasure to address you at the Tea for Harmony: Yaji 2025 China–Sri Lanka Cultural Gala-especially today, as we celebrate International Tea Day. This day offers a unique opportunity to reflect on and honour the rich cultural heritage, health benefits, and economic importance of tea, a beverage that has united people and cultures across centuries.

The Sri Lanka- China relationship is centuries old, and has been historically strengthened by shared religious and cultural values.

Sri Lanka is known to the whole world for its tea due to its unique flavour, aroma and colour. Sri Lankan tea, known for generations as ’Ceylon Tea’ carries behind it a heritage and a success story like no other.

It is therefore in the interests of the Sri Lankan Tea brand to continue to work towards ensuring dignified work conditions and protection for all those involved in the production, especially the pluckers who have historically faced many problems. This is something we are a government are committed towards.

Today, Sri Lanka stands as the world’s third-largest tea exporter, accounting for approximately 15% of global tea exports. In the face of significant challenges, our tea industry recorded impressive achievements in 2024.

Moreover, Ceylon Tea is the major supplier to the Chinese market among all tea producing nations in the world. The Chinese market ranked as the top five destination of supplying Ceylon Tea.

In conclusion, I extend sincere appreciation to the Chinese Embassy in Colombo for organizing this wonderful celebration of tea and culture. Let us continue to cherish and promote the harmony that tea brings to our peoples and our nations.”

The event was attended by Venerable Kirinde Assaji Nayaka Thero, H.E. Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka and chinese and Sri Lankans.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

The suspension, announced under Sections 32 and 33 of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973, also revokes the appointment of Prof. (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando as the Competent Authority for Sri Lanka Rugby. He had been appointed under a previous Gazette (No. 2386/08) dated 29 May 2024.

In place of the Competent Authority, the Minister has appointed a five-member Working Task Force with the limited mandate of adopting the new Constitution of Sri Lanka Rugby. The constitution was prepared by a Constitutional Review Group set up by World Rugby and agreed upon by all stakeholders.

The Task Force includes:
– Mr. Priyantha Ekanayake (Chairman, National Sports Council) – Chairman
– Mr. Suresh Subramaniam (Chairman, National Olympic Committee)
– Mr. M. R. Latiff (Retired Senior DIG)
– Mr. Dinal Phillips (President’s Counsel)
– Mr. Rohan Abayakoon (Member, National Sports Council)

An election to appoint office bearers is to be held within 90 days after the registration of the new Constitution. Until then, the Task Force is authorised to manage all affairs of Sri Lanka Rugby.

The request was approved by all members of the CC according to sources.

The letter, sent on May 21, follows a report published in The Morning (link:- PC Polls: Government yet to consult EC) on 20 May, which quoted Chairman Rathnayake as saying that the PC elections could only be held if either the delimitation process is completed or the existing election law is amended to revert to the old system.

Perera, however, contends that this interpretation misrepresents the current legal framework.

Referring to the still-active Provincial Councils Elections Act No. 02 of 1988, he argues that there is no legal void preventing the Commission from proceeding with the elections.

“This argument is an old and invalid one that was also used by your predecessor, Mahinda Deshapriya, to align with the political agenda of the ruling government. It is not the responsibility of the EC and its Chairman to intervene in making new law. Their responsibility is to deliver on existing law. That’s precisely what the EC is not doing,” he noted.

The letter sent by Mr. Perera is as follows :

21 May, 2025

R.M.A.L Rathnayake
Chairman,
Election Commission of SL
Election Secretariat,
P.O. Box 02
Sarana Mawatha
Rajagiriya.
chairman@elections.gov.lk

Mr. Chairman,
Re – long delayed PC elections and PC election law the EC avoids

On 20 May (2025), I read a news report in “The Morning” newspaper with the caption “Govt. Yet To Consult EC” regarding the long-delayed PC elections that are now being contemplated upon by the present government to be held, possibly end of this year or early next year.

You were quoted verbatim in that news report as having said, “In order to hold the PC Elections, either the delimitation process should be completed or the existing law should be amended to allow the Elections to be held under the old system. One of these two must happen.”

Let me tell you, this argument is an old invalid argument that was used by the previous Chairman of the EC Mahinda Deshapriya too, to tag along with the politics of the ruling government. Six years ago on 19 April 2019, I wrote about this side-stepping in my Daily Mirror article titled “Political Mess We Wish To Continue With” wherein I said, “It is not the responsibility of the EC and its Chairman to intervene in making new law. Their responsibility is to deliver on existing law. That’s precisely what the EC is not doing. Instead, they are violating the PC Election Act No.02 of 1988, still the valid provincial council election law of this land.”

Mr. Chairman, this holds true and valid till this day. Your argument quoted above from the news report in the “The Morning” newspaper, is a total distortion of the legal status of the existing law. You basically say, there is no law at present to hold elections, simply because the parliament had begun a process to amend existing law with new electoral demarcations approved by the Delimitation Commission that sat till 2018 November. You therefore say “…..either the delimitation process should be completed or the existing law should be amended”.

It is common knowledge, the existing law is not trashed as you imply, while a new law is being made. The existing law remains valid till the parliamentary process is completed with the Speaker placing his signature on a bill making it law. For the simple reason, society can never be left with a legal lacuna. In this case as you say, Sri Lanka is without a PC election law since 2017 September and would be so, until the government decides someday to “either complete the delimitation process or amend the existing law”.

It is not your duty, nor your responsibility to continue to stall PC elections till someday the government decides to complete the delimitation process and make it into law, or amend the present law as you say. As an “independent commission” your responsibility to the taxpayer who funds you as chairman and the commission, is to ensure his or her sovereign right is not infringed upon, on invalid arguments and for political interests.

I would therefore request you to schedule the PC elections at your earliest convenience, for which the EC does not need any permission from any State agency, authority or political party.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely

Kusal Perera
Bellanwila

C.c. –  To all Members in the EC
            To all media