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The Colombo Magistrate's Court today (26) directed officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to present their position on a request made by former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara seeking temporary relaxation of his overseas travel ban.

Nanayakkara, who is currently out on bail over corruption-related allegations, had filed the request before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

Appearing on behalf of the former Minister, Attorney Asthika Devendra informed court that his client needed to travel to Singapore for medical treatment and requested the temporary lifting of the travel restriction imposed by court.

Following submissions, the Magistrate instructed officials of the Bribery Commission to inform court of their position on the request on June 2.

The Magistrate further stated that an appropriate order would be issued after considering submissions from both parties on that date.

An individual has been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for the possession of a large quantity of Kush cannabis, police said.

The suspect had arrived in Sri Lanka from Bangkok, Thailand.

Police identified the suspect as a 24-year-old resident from Gampaha.

Authorities said a total of 8.365 kilograms of Kush, packed in 19 packets, was discovered inside his luggage.

The estimated value of the seized narcotics is reported to exceed Rs. 80 million.

The suspect, along with the seized drugs, has been handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau at the BIA for further investigations.

A wide-ranging discussion was held in Colombo today (26) between political parties and civil society organisations on the urgent conduct of the long-delayed Provincial Council election and the electoral system to be adopted.

The meeting, organised by the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), brought together political party secretaries, representatives, and election monitoring organisations.

Participants discussed the importance of holding the Provincial Council election without further delay, the reasons behind repeated postponements and possible steps to expedite the process.

Out of 42 participating political parties and civil society groups, all except one signed a joint statement that will be submitted to a Parliamentary Select Committee and the government.

The joint statement reflects agreement to conduct the delayed Provincial Council election under the electoral system that existed prior to the 2017 Amendment No. 17.

It was also agreed that the existing system should remain in place until a final decision is made by the Parliamentary Select Committee.
Additionally, the parties agreed to work towards ensuring 25% representation for women and youth on a voluntary basis.

The meeting was attended by political party representatives including United National Party General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala, Samagi Jana Balawegaya General Secretary MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna General Secretary former MP Sagara Kariyawasam.

Representatives from the Tamil National Alliance, including M. A. Sumanthiran, along with Mano Ganesan, C. V. Vigneswaran, and former Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya also participated.

Representing the government side, National People’s Power General Secretary Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe attended the discussion, along with members of a parliamentary special committee tasked with reviewing the electoral system for Provincial Council elections.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal presented by the Minister of Energy to implement an integrated programme titled the “Surakimu Lanka” National Energy Security Mission.

Sri Lanka’s energy security has been challenged due to a range of factors, including a significant dependence on fossil fuels for energy supply, unexpected drought conditions, intermittent disruptions in fuel supply arising from and geopolitical instability and fluctuations in global fuel prices in the international market, according to the government. 

It has been identified that the additional pressure placed on the national economy by the rising cost of fuel imports arising from these factors is further intensified by the irregular electricity consumption patterns of electricity consumers. 

Accordingly, it has been recognized that, in order to properly manage the situation, it is essential to shift electricity consumption, as far as possible, to time periods with higher renewable energy generation, and to enhance energy consumption efficiency through behavioural changes among the public. 

In order to achieve these objectives, the Cabinet has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Energy to implement the “Surakimu Lanka” programme, in collaboration with all government institutions, public corporations, and statutory bodies led by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Energy, the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority and the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, together with the private sector and the general public.

A suspected major drug trafficker identified as Shiran Basik has been arrested in Dubai, according to police sources.

Police said the arrest was carried out by Dubai security forces.

Reports indicate that Basik has alleged links to an Iranian drug trafficking network and is also wanted by the United States.

Authorities further said he had been living in Dubai while posing as a wealthy businessman.

He is believed to be one of five major traffickers involved in supplying narcotics to Sri Lanka.

However, Sri Lankan authorities have not yet received official confirmation of his arrest.