News ‘Illegal USD 1 bn transfers since 2023’: UNP challenges Prez to reveal identities of culprits Published 3 mins agoon 2026/06/30 Rajitha / President Anura The United National Party (UNP) has asked President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to reveal the identities of those who fraud…
News ‘Illegal USD 1 bn transfers since 2023’: UNP challenges Prez to reveal identities of culprits
Published 3 mins agoon 2026/06/30
Rajitha / President Anura The United National Party (UNP) has asked President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to reveal the identities of those who fraudulently transferred nearly USD 1 bn (approximately Rs 300 bn), since 2023. UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Prime Minister, held the Finance portfolio from 25 May 2022, before he was appointed the President in July 2022. Wickremesinghe retained the Finance portfolio. Addressing the media at former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Flower Road Office, on Sunday (28), ex-Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said that the President should be able to disclose whether the funds were illegally transferred from the public or the private sector. President Dissanayake made the claim in Parliament last week. Former MP Dr. Senaratne said that an explanation was required as to how such transfers took place, for a period of nearly four years, without the fraudsters receiving the relevant sections of the Central Bank. The top UNP spokesman challenged President Dissanayake to furnish documentary evidence to prove his claim regarding loss of nearly USD 1 bn. Dr. Senaratne reminded President Dissanayake that as the Minister of Finance he should be able to reveal the culprits without delay. The UNPer pointed out that the Chairman of Committee on Public Finance (COPF), MP Dr. Harsha de Silva, has declared that his Committee would take up the issue at hand in Parliament this week. President Dissanayke told Parliament that the illicit outflows included proceeds generated through criminal activities, such as drug trafficking. (SF)
News Chamuditha to seek removal of injunction on Youtube programme
Published 6 mins agoon 2026/06/30
Chamuditha Youtuber Chamuditha Samarawickrema yesterday (29) said that that he would soon move court against an injunction obtained by Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, last year in respect of a ‘Truth with Chamuditha’ programme. Samarawickrema said that he had decided to seek court intervention in the wake of the CIABOC taking the former Minister’s son, Attorney-at-Law Rakitha, along with SJB’s Horana organiser Charith Abeysinghe, into custody, in connection with alleged bribery case involving Nadun Chinthaka Wickremaratne, alias Harak Kata. In view of the recent developments, the programme, which featured ex-SLAF officer Keerthi Rathnayake, should be made available to the viewers, Samarawickrema said. Samarawickrama tendered an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court and to Rajapakshe, P.C. in the Supreme Court, when the contempt proceedings, filed by Rajapakshe, was taken up on 4 th July, 2025. The case was filed against Samarawickrema and Rathnayake. The court had been told that the programme was contemptuous and defamatory to the Courts and detrimental to Dr. Rajapakshe, and, thereby, they committed the offence of contempt of court. It was alleged that by the said telecast they have undermined and disregarded the judiciary of the country, creating a suspicion about the courts system and eroding the public trust and the confidence on the judiciary. The bench consisted of Justice S. Thurairaja, Justice Priyantha Fernando, and Justice Sobitha Rajakaruna. (SF)
News High-risk dengue zones identified in Kandy district
Published 8 mins agoon 2026/06/30
Central Province health officials have stated that the spread of dengue has increased in the Kandy District. Accordingly, the health authorities have identified the following areas as high-risk dengue zones: Galagedara, Gampola, Udapalatha, Illangawatta, and Kahatapitiya Amunupura. In the Kandy Gangawata Korale health division, the identified areas include Wavatenna, Ulpathakumbura Lower Iriyagama, Ampitiya, Pallegama, Thennekumbura, Mahakanda, Heerassagala, Bahirawakanda, Gatambe, Katukele, Suduhumpola (West), Mulgampola, Ampitiya North, Poornawatta East, Watapuluwa, Asgiriya, Suduhumpola East, Aruppala West, Mapanawathura, and Thalwatta. In the Kundasale health division, Sirimalwatta East and Hurikaduwa South have been flagged, while in the Pasbage and Nawalapitiya health divisions, Nawalapitiya North and Nawalapitiya West have been identified as high-risk. Furthermore, Meewatura and Gangoda North in the Udunuwara health division, as well as Harispattuwa, Gohagoda, and Ranawana West in the Werellagama health division, are included in the high-risk zones. Additionally, in the Yatinuwara and Kadugannawa health divisions, Upper Iriyagama East, Kendakaduwa, Ambalmeegama (South), Walgovvagoda, Pilapitiya, Gannoruwa East, and Gannoruwa Central have been identified by health authorities as high-risk dengue zones. The health authorities have sought public cooperation to destroy mosquito breeding sites. S.K. Samaranayake