News:
Vavuniya’s Poovarasankulam Police Station OIC, Inspector Anura Pushpakumara, was arrested by officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption for accepting a bribe of Rs. 500,000 to settle a land dispute.
He was taken into custody yesterday (21) evening while accepting the money in his official office at the police station.

From January 1st to today, a total of 953 fatal road accidents have occurred, claiming the lives of 1,015 individuals.

Despite the Police Headquarters setting a target earlier this year to reduce daily road fatalities to below five, the death toll remains high—similar to previous years—indicating no significant reduction in fatal accidents.

Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, revealed that Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, and former State Minister Shehan Semasinghe have received death threats.

A death threat was reportedly sent via email to PM Harini Amarasuriya on May 15. Investigations revealed the IP addresses involved were linked to Germany and the Netherlands, with international police assistance being sought for further details.

A tip received on August 23 alleged a sniper attack was being planned against Sajith Premadasa by an associate of underworld figure ‘Loku Patiya’. However, investigations later found the information to be false and aimed at defaming someone.

It was also disclosed that notorious drug lord Kanjipani Imran, currently abroad, allegedly tried to contract a murder of IGP Tennakoon through a jailed associate known as B. Saman Kumara (aka I.D.H. Sudda), and investigations are underway.

Additionally, a complaint was filed regarding a threat made to former State Minister Semasinghe by a staff member at the Finance Ministry, using an official phone line on May 15. The caller allegedly threatened to kill him if he visited Anuradhapura.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is handling these cases on orders from the Acting IGP, and court directives have referred one of the cases to the Mediation Board. Minister Wijepala made these disclosures in Parliament today.

A 68-year-old woman was apprehended today (20) by security officers at the Havelock City apartment complex while in possession of a gold-colored T-56 assault rifle. She was handed over to the Wellawatte Police for further investigation.

According to reports, her 20-year-old daughter tragically died by suicide around five years ago by jumping from a higher floor of the same apartment complex, allegedly after being denied money to visit nightclubs.

While there is no clear information about the woman’s husband, it is reported that she has a son who is married to a Kazakhstani national.

This morning, the woman reportedly left the apartment complex in a BMW and returned with the firearm, which she carried into the premises in a manner that resembled carrying a toy. Her suspicious behavior prompted security personnel to inspect her belongings, leading to the discovery of the weapon.

Police stated that she has not disclosed how she came into possession of the firearm.

Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Stabilization, Dr. Harsha Suriyapperuma, stated today (May 20) that government revenue has increased as expected due to the resumption of vehicle imports, while also safeguarding foreign reserves.

Speaking in Parliament, he expressed confidence that the country’s economy has reached a stable position. He added that revenue from vehicle imports will be utilized to give the necessary push to rebuild the economy.

Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramanayake informed Parliament today (May 20) that the Supreme Court has dismissed the petition filed against the proposed Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill.

The petition had been submitted to the Supreme Court under Article 121(1) of the Constitution, challenging the legality of the bill.

The Supreme Court notified Parliament that the petitioner was granted permission to withdraw the case, rendering the petition ineffective.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) paid tribute to war heroes this morning (May 20) at the War Memorial near the Parliament.

The event was held in line with the 16th Victory Day celebrations. Disabled and retired war veterans also joined the tribute ceremony.

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived at the War Memorial alongside Mahinda Rajapaksa, who laid a floral tribute in honor of the fallen heroes.

SLPP National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa, former Speakers Chamal Rajapaksa and Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, and former Ministers Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara, Ponsonby Fernando, Lohan Ratwatte, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, and Shanta Bandara were also present at the event.

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka stated that he would not accept any position in the current government, emphasizing that such roles should be given to those who directly contributed to its victory. During an interview on a national television channel today (19), Fonseka clarified his stance and explained why he chose to stay out of government appointments.

“That doesn’t A GROUPGROUPmean I’m unwilling to help rebuild the country — I’ve always been ready for that. But there is a group that was dedicated to bringing this government to power. They are the ones who should hold office. It would not be appropriate for me to step in now and interfere with this ‘flower garden’,” he remarked sarcastically.

Fonseka stressed the importance of involving capable individuals, especially from the military, in addressing national challenges:

“Every army has its exceptional people, and it’s those people who should step in at times like these. Sitting in a chair with a few laws around you won’t fix anything. You have to face the situation head-on. I was hands-on during the war, and people with that kind of commitment can help minimize threats like drugs and other social issues. But those fall under public security — national security is the responsibility of the armed forces.”

He warned about the continued threat from LTTE sympathizers operating abroad:

“If, after spending so much, LTTE loyalists are still active overseas, what’s to stop a new suicide squad from forming? That’s a potential threat in the future. We must remain vigilant.”

Commenting on the state of leadership in the country, he said:

“We need the emergence of strong leaders. This country has yet to produce the right kind of leadership. We still don’t see them.”

Fonseka also expressed concern over the current state of Sri Lanka’s military, comparing it with modern forces abroad:

“We once built an army that ran toward the battle, not away from it. But today, our military lags far behind those of developed countries in terms of technology and equipment. If we want to talk proudly about national security, we are in a very backward position. No country will take responsibility for defending us. If another country attacks, no one will come running to save us in a day. Look at Ukraine — even against a powerful Russia, they are still fighting.”

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who had earlier indicated he would not be attending the 16th Victory Day War Heroes Commemoration—marking the defeat of separatist LTTE terrorism—has now confirmed his participation.

The Patriotic National Front and the Arya Foundation held a press conference in Colombo yesterday, reminding the President, as the Commander-in-Chief, of his duty to attend the commemoration.

This followed a statement by retired Brigadier Senarath Kohona, Chairman of the Ranaviru Seva Authority, that the event at the Battaramulla Parliament Grounds would be attended by the Deputy Defense Minister instead of the President.

The absence of both the President and the Prime Minister raised concerns on social media and among many, including retired military personnel, questioning whether top leadership was rejecting the War Heroes’ remembrance. While it’s customary for the Prime Minister to step in when the President is unavailable, assigning a Deputy Minister caused significant public disapproval.

Sri Lanka’s traditional protocol places the President, Prime Minister, Speaker, Opposition Leader, Cabinet Ministers, Field Marshal, and senior officials at the top tier of national events. Delegating such a solemn occasion to a Deputy Minister was seen by some as a disregard for the significance of the ceremony.

However, just moments before the event, Brigadier Kohona stated on national television that the commemoration would indeed be led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

A suspect who transported the gunman involved in the attempted shooting of a 19-year-old youth near the Galle Road coastal area in Mt. Lavinia has been arrested by officers from the Mt. Lavinia Division Crime Investigation Unit.
The suspect, who rode the motorcycle during the attack, was apprehended in Makumbura, Pannipitiya.

Police also located the motorcycle used in the crime, which had been dismantled and hidden behind a house.

The victim, Praveen Nisanka, a contract worker with the Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council’s solid waste department and a resident of the Oben area in Dehiwala, died from the injuries sustained in the attack.

Further investigations are ongoing based on the information provided by the arrested suspect.

Three Sri Lankans have been recognized in Forbes Asia’s prestigious “30 Under 30” list, which highlights 30 exceptional young individuals under the age of 30 from across the region

Among them is Charith N. Silva, the culinary creator behind the globally popular YouTube channel Wild Cookbook, which surpassed 10 million subscribers in March. He was recognized under the Arts category.

Joining him is Yanika Amarasekera, founder of Silver Aisle, Sri Lanka’s first digital wedding gift registry. She was selected under the Retail & Ecommerce category. Since its launch in 2019, Silver Aisle has expanded to offer a wide range of lifestyle services, from gift sharing and catering to leisure activities like horse riding and pottery making.

The third Sri Lankan to make the list is Nikin Matharaarachchi, founder of Synapse AI Labs, recognized for his innovations in the tech field.

Forbes selects 30 individuals in each of ten categories annually. This marks the 10th edition of the Asia 30 Under 30 list.

The ongoing salt shortage and soaring prices across various regions of Sri Lanka are expected to persist until the first consignment of 20,000 metric tons of salt from India arrives next week, reliable sources said.

Both the National Salt Corporation and Lanka Salt Ltd. have collectively ordered 30,000 metric tons of salt from India. Lanka Salt Chairman D. Nandanathilaka stated that once the shipment arrives, the company plans to release 200,000 packets (each 400g) of table salt to the market daily.

He added that from existing stocks, 100,000 packets of 400g table salt were distributed through Sathosa yesterday and today (15).

Interestingly, just two months ago, Minister Sunil Handunnetti publicly declared a policy to stop salt imports—a statement now being criticized by opposition parties following the supply crisis.

Due to the government’s failure to forecast and mitigate the shortage, salt prices have surged to Rs. 450–600 per kilogram in the black market. The Consumer Affairs Authority is currently conducting raids to crack down on traders selling salt above the controlled price.

Following the tragic bus accident that occurred recently in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, compensation funds have been allocated from the President’s Fund on the instructions of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

According to the President’s Media Division, the compensation—Rs. 1 million per deceased individual—has been directed to the relevant Divisional Secretariats, which will distribute the funds to the families of the victims.

The accident claimed 22 lives, and funds have been released to the Divisional Secretariats of the areas where the victims resided, including Tissamaharama, Lunugamwehera, Welimada, Haldummulla, Ella, Kundasale, Bamunakotuwa, Paduwasnuwara West, Polpithigama, Wanathavilluwa, Chilaw, Buttala, Thanamalwila, Wellawaya, Kantale, and Rambewa.

On May 12, 2025, thousands of devoted Buddhists gathered at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy to pay homage in honor of the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day.

This sacred day commemorates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing away.

Throughout the day, religious observances including almsgiving, observance of precepts, and meditation are held at the Sri Dalada Maligawa and the four main devalayas. These spiritual activities are organized under the guidance of Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela.

The “Siri Dalada Waruna” Vesak Sil program is conducted at the historic Magul Maduwa, led by Most Venerable Uralewatte Dhamma Rakkhitha Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter. Religious programs are also underway at other major temples in Kandy, such as Tapovana Viharaya, Bahirawakanda Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya, and Getambe Rajopavanaramaya.

Buddhists around the world are celebrating Vesak today, commemorating the sacred triple events of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing away.

Devotees engage in both material and spiritual offerings, honoring the teachings of the Buddha.

Newswave.Lk wishes all Buddhists across the globe a blessed and peaceful Vesak!

India has launched a military operation named “Operation Sindoor”, targeting what it calls “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan’s Punjab province and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, in retaliation for the April 22 massacre of 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. The Indian Army claimed to have hit nine sites, stating on X: “Justice is served.”

In response, Pakistan claimed it shot down five Indian Air Force jets—three Rafales, a MiG-29, and an SU-30—as well as a drone. However, precise details were not shared, and CNN has not independently verified these claims.

Pakistan also reported that Indian missile attacks on six locations killed at least eight people and injured more than 35, calling the strikes an “act of war” and vowing a strong response.

Footage shared by Reuters captured loud explosions in Muzaffarabad, and CNN journalists in the region confirmed cross-border shelling and gunfire since early Wednesday.

This marks a major escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, as tensions continue to climb following the April attack, which India blames on Pakistan—a charge Pakistan denies.

According to results released by midnight on May 6, the National People’s Power (NPP – Malimawa) has secured control of a significant number of local government bodies in the 2025 elections.

Many of these institutions were previously held by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), marking a notable shift in political control.

However, a striking change in this election is the decline in the NPP’s overall vote count compared to the previous presidential and parliamentary elections.

Although the NPP gained majority control as a single party in several councils, in many local bodies, the combined seat count of all opposition parties has surpassed that of the NPP.

The outcome offers key lessons for the ruling party and signals growing public interest in forming a strong, unified opposition.

The 2025 Local Government election concluded peacefully just moments ago. Voting began at 7:00 AM today (6th) at 13,759 polling stations across the country and ended at 4:00 PM.

The election was held to elect members to 339 local government bodies. Around 60% voter turnout is expected, and election monitoring organizations report that overall voting was conducted at a commendable level.

A total of 17,156,338 eligible voters were registered to cast their votes. 75,589 candidates from 49 political parties and 257 independent groups contested for 8,287 seats.

PAFFREL stated that apart from a few minor incidents, no serious disruptions were reported that could invalidate the polling process.

Ballot boxes are now being transported to counting centers, and vote counting is scheduled to begin shortly.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of Sri Lanka conducted a state visit to Vietnam from May 4–6, 2025, at the invitation of Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

During his visit, President Dissanayake held high-level discussions with key Vietnamese leaders, including the General Secretary of the Communist Party, the Prime Minister, and the President of the National Assembly. Both sides reaffirmed their long-standing friendship rooted in mutual trust, respect, and cultural ties.

Key outcomes from the joint statement include:

Agreement to enhance political, economic, security, and cultural cooperation.

Strengthening of trade and investment ties with a shared target to boost bilateral trade to USD 1 billion.

Expansion of defense collaboration through training, exchanges, and institutional partnerships.

Promotion of aviation connectivity to boost tourism and people-to-people ties.

Support for increased cooperation in agriculture, especially mechanization, post-harvest technologies, and scientific research.

Vietnam appreciated Sri Lanka’s recent political stability and strategic role in the Indian Ocean.

President Dissanayake also participated as the chief guest in the UN Vesak celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City, reaffirming deep-rooted Buddhist ties.

As of 10 AM today (May 6), the voter turnout in several districts has surpassed 20% in the 2025 Local Government Election. The polling began at 7 AM this morning.

Accordingly, the reported turnout by district is as follows:

Mannar – 23%
Badulla – 22%
Gampaha – 20%
Kalutara – 20%
Nuwara Eliya – 20%
Ratnapura – 20%
Hambantota – 18%

The 2025 Local Government Election is being held today (6th) from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A total of 13,759 polling stations have been established across the island.

Altogether, 17,156,338 eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots to elect members to 339 local government bodies.

The Election Commission has urged voters to arrive early at polling stations and make use of their right to vote.

A revolver was discovered today (05) during the cleaning of a drainage canal at Welikada Prison.

According to prison officials, the 0.38 (special) caliber revolver was found while removing soil from a drain located behind the “L Ward” of the prison, where wastewater flows out.

Following a notification to the Borella Police, officers arrived at the scene and launched an investigation.

Initial findings suggest that the revolver had been buried for several years and is no longer in usable condition. Both prison authorities and police have begun separate investigations to determine how the weapon ended up at the location.

The Ministry of Education has announced that government schools will resume normal operations the day after the 2025 local government elections, on May 7.

Accordingly, all schools will be closed tomorrow, the day of the election.

Some schools used for election and related duties at the district level will also remain closed on May 7.

The related circular has been issued and is shown below.

In a significant move to strengthen defence cooperation, Japanese Defence Minister Hon. Nakatani Gen arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday (May 3) for a high-level official visit.

Accompanied by Ambassador Akio Isomata and Vice Minister Kano Koji, he met with Defence Secretary AVM Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) and other top officials at the Defence Ministry in Sri Jayawardanepura on May 4.

The visit focused on enhancing bilateral ties, particularly in maritime security, disaster management, and countering non-state threats.

Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to a stable Indian Ocean region. Minister Nakatani also paid tribute at Kanatte cemetery to honor Japanese nationals who perished during WWII.

The key suspect in the Club Wasantha murder case, underworld figure Lathuwahandi Sujeewa Ruwan Kumara de Silva, also known as “Loku Patty,” has been brought back to Sri Lanka.

He arrived today (May 4) at approximately 7:43 AM aboard a flight from Dubai.

“Loku Patty” was previously arrested in Belarus and is linked to several major criminal cases currently under judicial review, including:

Possession and trafficking of heroin (23g) in 2016 – Kalutara High Court

Aiding a shooting and murder in Piliyandala in 2017 – Kesbewa Magistrate’s Court

Possession and trafficking of heroin (299g) in 2017 – Kalutara High Court

Possession of a foreign-made hand grenade and a revolver in 2021 – Mathugama Magistrate’s Court

Investigations also reveal that while overseas, he allegedly orchestrated multiple violent crimes, including:

Injuring and killing individuals in Ahungalla in 2022 (separate incidents)

Using a T-56 firearm in two homicides in 2022 and 2024

Attempted murder of a fish trader in Ambalangoda (2024)

A deadly shooting in Athurugiriya (2024), killing two and injuring four

Authorities continue investigations as court proceedings progress.