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New Navy Commander calls on Speaker
Newly appointed Navy Commander Vice Admiral Damian Fernando paid a courtesy call on Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne at Parliament on July 7. The discussion covered the Navy’s role in national and maritime security, coordination among state institutions, neutral diplomacy in the Indian Ocean, local boat manufacturing and efforts to support tourism and livelihoods in the Northern Province islands.
Colombo High Court fixes November 16 hearing in Krrish case against Namal Rajapaksa
The Colombo High Court has fixed November 16 for the hearing of the case filed against MP Namal Rajapaksa over the alleged Krrish transaction. The court ordered summons to be issued to two Indian nationals named as prosecution witnesses under the procedure for serving foreign witnesses. The case concerns an alleged Rs. 70 million misappropriation linked to Krrish Company.
Colombo-KKS intercity express train to operate only four days weekly
The Railway Department has decided to reduce the daily Colombo-Kankesanthurai Intercity Express service to four days a week from July 10 because of a shortage of operational power sets. The service will run only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, while the Station Masters' Association warned that passengers on the Northern Railway Line are already facing inconvenience.
Sri Lanka to begin electric railway project next year on 3 routes
Sri Lanka will take initial steps next year to introduce an electric railway service, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake said at the reopening of the renovated Narahenpita Railway Station. The first phase will focus on the Colombo-Panadura, Colombo-Makumbura and Colombo-Ragama corridors as part of wider plans to modernise the railway network and improve public transport.
Train derails at Colombo Fort, disrupting rail services
A train scheduled to leave Colombo Fort for Rambukkana derailed at around 4:50 p.m. while approaching its platform, blocking four platforms at the station. The Railways Department warned of delays to several departures while crews worked to clear the tracks, and no injuries were reported.
Kandy Wastewater Project to include Peradeniya University
The Cabinet has approved expanding the Kandy City Wastewater Management Project to include the University of Peradeniya and extend the project timeline to December 31, 2027. Officials say the university inclusion will cost about Rs. 2,000 million, with Rs. 800 million from JICA loan funds and the balance from local resources.
Namal-led group launches A Team Next Wave
Opposition MPs Namal Rajapaksa, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Anuradha Jayaratne, D. V. Chanaka and Chanaka Madugoda have launched a new political platform called A Team Next Wave. They said it aims to unite opposition voices inside and outside Parliament and build a broader alliance to raise public concerns on national issues.
Govt to expand vessel monitoring system for fishing fleet
The Cabinet has approved expanding Sri Lanka's Vessel Monitoring System to cover 1,500 multi-day and one-day fishing vessels registered before January 1, 2021. The Fisheries Ministry says the government will bear installation costs as part of efforts to curb illegal fishing and maritime crimes while meeting international monitoring requirements.
Sri Lanka to pilot bus sector clustering on key routes
The Cabinet has approved a pilot programme to introduce bus sector clustering on routes 170, 177 and 190. The government says the model is intended to reduce overcrowding, unsafe competition and timetable problems by managing interconnected routes as coordinated clusters.
Commonwealth lawyers warn over judicial retirement age amendment
Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association President Steven Thiru warned that proposed changes to the retirement age of Sri Lanka’s superior court judges could damage public confidence if introduced without transparent consultation. Speaking at a BASL forum, he said reforms affecting judicial tenure should avoid benefiting sitting judges and should protect the appearance and reality of judicial independence.