News Evidence recorded in money laundering case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa Published 7 mins agoon 2026/07/18 Yoshitha The Colombo High Court yesterday (17) resumed hearing the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, unde…
News Evidence recorded in money laundering case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa
Published 7 mins agoon 2026/07/18
Yoshitha 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.
News Former IGP C.D. Wickramaratne dies in suspected suicide
Published 8 mins agoon 2026/07/18
Wickramaratne Former IGP Chandana Deepal Wickramaratne died after sustaining a gunshot injury at his residence, in Thalangama, yesterday (17), with police saying preliminary investigations indicate that the incident was a suspected suicide. Kaduwela Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa, on Friday, ordered the Officer-in-Charge of the Malabe Police Station, Police Inspector Pradeep Ranasinghe, to conduct a formal investigation into the death and submit a report to court on its progress. The order was issued after the Malabe Police Station presented facts before court regarding the incident. According to police, the Malabe Police Station received information from the Police Unit of the Colombo East Base Hospital, in Mulleriyawa, that Wickramaratne, who resided in the Thalahena area, within the Malabe Police division, had died after being admitted to hospital, with gunshot injuries. Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said Wickramaratne had allegedly used the firearm of his personal security officer and shot himself at his residence. Police said the shooting had taken place at his residence on Parakum Road, Thalangama, on Thursday morning, before he was due to leave for his regular exercise routine. He was rushed to the Colombo East Base Hospital, in Mulleriyawa, with serious injuries but was pronounced dead upon admission, police said. The deceased’s remains were placed at the Colombo East Base Hospital, where a post-mortem examination was scheduled to be conducted. ASP Wootler said three police teams have been appointed to investigate the incident. Further investigations are being conducted by the Crime Division of the Western Province South Range and the Malabe Police Station. Wickramaratne, 63, served as the 35th Inspector General of Police of Sri Lanka from November 27, 2020, to November 23, 2023. He joined the Sri Lanka Police in 1986 as a Probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police and later served in several senior positions. A graduate of the University of Colombo and the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, he also served as Acting IGP for more than a year, from April 28, 2019, before being appointed IGP, in November 2020. He retired from the post of Inspector General of Police, in November 2023. by Norman Palihawadane ✍️
News CAA sets aflatoxin limit for processed liquid milk from January 2027
Published 12 mins agoon 2026/07/18
The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has introduced mandatory safety standards requiring all processed liquid milk sold in Sri Lanka to comply with the prescribed maximum aflatoxin limit, from January 8, 2027. The regulation, issued under Section 12(2) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 9 of 2003, as amended, was published through an Extraordinary Gazette notification. Under the new rules, producers, manufacturers, importers, packers, suppliers, warehouse operators, distributors, transporters and traders will be prohibited from producing, importing, selling or distributing processed liquid milk containing aflatoxin levels above the permitted limit. According to the Gazette notification, the aflatoxin content in processed liquid milk must not exceed 0.5 micrograms per kilogram (0.5 µg/kg or parts per billion), in accordance with Sri Lanka Standard (SLS) 1815 issued by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution. The CAA said compliance with the standard would be mandatory across the entire processed liquid milk supply chain, once the regulation comes into effect. The directive was issued by order of the Consumer Affairs Authority and signed by S. M. D. Suriyakumara.