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Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has not yet received any invitation to attend the National War Heroes’ Commemoration Day event scheduled for tomorrow (19), according to his Media Secretary, Attorney Manoj Gamage.

He stated that claims made by Minister Upali Pannilage that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the country’s fifth Executive President, had been invited to the event are false.

Attorney Manoj Gamage further alleged that the Minister had misled the public by stating that Mahinda Rajapaksa had been invited to the commemoration. He noted that invitations for Victory Day events are usually officially extended through the Presidential Secretariat or the Ministry of Defence.

The “National War Heroes’ Commemoration Day event,” marking 17 years since the military victory in the war, is scheduled to be held tomorrow (19) near the War Heroes Memorial in Battaramulla under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Legal action will be taken against a group, including the leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF), former Member of Parliament Wimal Weerawansa over allegations of obstructing rehearsal activities held today (18) ahead of the National War Heroes’ Day Commemoration Day, police stated.

According to a police statement, during the rehearsal and ongoing preparations for the main ceremony, a group of around 35 individuals, including the former MP, allegedly attempted to enter the National War Heroes’ Monument premises without authorization, in a manner that disrupted official duties and rehearsal activities, police noted.

Police further stated that officers present at the scene prevented the attempted entry and subsequently removed the group from the location.

Authorities have confirmed that investigations are underway and that legal action will be taken against those involved.

Meanwhile, a tense situation arose between police and former MP Wimal Weerawansa when he arrived at the War Heroes’ Monument located near Parliament to pay floral tributes.

The former Member of Parliament, along with a group including academics and artists, had visited the site today (18) to commemorate soldiers who died during the humanitarian operation.

However, a dispute occurred after security officials did not allow Wimal Weerawansa and his group to approach the memorial to lay flowers, leading to heightened tensions at the scene.

It is reported that a police officer, after receiving a phone call, stated that no one would be permitted to enter the vicinity of the memorial on the day.

Following this, a heated exchange of words took place between police officers and former MP Wimal Weerawansa.

During the confrontation, CCTV footage reportedly captured the former MP falling to the ground while attempting to move forward as officers tried to push the group back.

Subsequently, two individuals present at the scene were arrested and placed in a police jeep. It is further reported that Wimal Weerawansa also boarded the jeep, after which the arrested individuals were later released by police.

A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) was held this afternoon (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The meeting focused extensively on new development projects planned by the Urban Development Authority, the President’s Media Division said in a statement.

The President emphasised the need to ensure that the budgetary allocations made for these projects in the current year are utilised effectively within the same financial year.

Detailed discussions were also held on projects planned to be implemented jointly by multiple institutions, including the importance of holding consultations with all relevant agencies to reach final decisions and the need to clearly define responsibilities for each institution in both implementation and maintenance phases of the projects, the PMD noted.

Attention was drawn to key initiatives such as the Kelani River flood control project, water management projects in Colombo city and the Beira Lake restoration project. The need for a dedicated programme for low-income housing in areas such as Ratmalana and Moratuwa was also highlighted.

During the discussion, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake underscored the importance of introducing a structured management framework for the effective coordination of certain projects.

Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Eranga Gunasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Senior Professor Kapila C.K. Perera, Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), M.G. Hemachandra and the Heads representing the Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA), Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), National Physical Planning Department (NPPD) and the Condominium Management Authority (CMA) were also present at the meeting.

The Malwana property, which has recently been the subject of public discussion, will be transferred to the University Grants Commission (UGC), Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has announced.

She made this statement during a meeting held today (18) with representatives of the Inter-University Students’ Federation.

According to the Prime Minister, a feasibility study will be conducted on the property, after which it will be allocated for suitable purposes in the higher education sector.

She also stated that the government is always prepared to listen to the concerns of university students and engage with them at any time.

Emphasizing the decision-making process, the Prime Minister noted that all major decisions are taken only after discussions with relevant stakeholders and through comprehensive review.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya further highlighted that, after several years, budgetary allocations have been made for the development of university student accommodation facilities. She added that budget implementation in the higher education sector had increased from 60% in previous years to 80% in 2025, which she attributed to improved responsiveness to student welfare needs and active government engagement.

The Malwana property will be handed over to the UGC, followed by a feasibility assessment, before being assigned to an appropriate higher education institution, she added. 

Although Sri Lanka had initially expected an economic growth rate of around 5% for 2026, recent changes in global economic conditions after March have made it difficult to provide an accurate forecast, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has said.

The Governor noted that before the emergence of the current global economic instability, projections had indicated that Sri Lanka’s economy would grow by approximately 5% in 2026.

However, he explained that due to instability in the global economy since April, it is now uncertain how conditions will evolve over the coming months.

Dr. Weerasinghe said that if the current situation stabilizes within three months, the Sri Lankan economy could still grow close to 5%, though slightly lower. However, if the impact continues for six to nine months, it could have a more severe effect on economic growth, making precise forecasting difficult at this stage.

He further pointed out that rising oil prices and inflation have already begun to affect the economy during the second quarter of the year.

Speaking further, the Central Bank Governor stated that while the earlier expectation was around 5% growth, the situation has changed significantly due to external shocks, and it is now difficult to make a definitive projection given ongoing uncertainty in global conditions.