The Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court today (02) ordered the continued remand of former Minister Lohan Ratwatte and his wife, Shashi Prabha Ratwatte, until December 6. The couple was previously detained on allegations of illegally using a luxury car that had been unlawfully imported and assembled in Sri Lanka. They had been remanded in custody up to December 2 before today’s extension. The police uncovered the luxury vehicle during a search prompted by a tip-off about an unregistered luxury car at a three-story residence in the Embuldeniya area of Mirihana. The property belongs to Shashi Prabha Ratwatte, the wife of the former state minister. When questioned, both Lohan Ratwatte and his wife stated that the house was occupied by his mother-in-law. They claimed the car had been brought to the premises several weeks earlier by Ratwatte’s private secretary, who was recently discovered deceased with gunshot wounds in Katugastota, Kandy. On November 11,...

US President Joe Biden has issued a full pardon to his son Hunter Biden, who was awaiting sentencing in two criminal cases. In a statement, President Biden criticized the handling of his son’s cases, describing them as “a grave injustice” and asserting that Hunter had been unfairly targeted. “Since the day I assumed office, I pledged not to interfere with the Justice Department’s operations, and I upheld that commitment, even as I witnessed my son facing biased and unjust prosecution,” he stated. Hunter Biden had previously admitted guilt to tax-related offenses in September and was convicted in June for illegal firearm possession while being a drug user. This made him the first sitting president’s child to face such legal repercussions. The pardon, which is both complete and unconditional, follows earlier remarks from the president and the White House that clemency would not be considered. As recently as September, the White...

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced today, December 1, the commencement of Jay Shah’s tenure as ICC Chair. In his inaugural statement, Shah highlighted his key goals, emphasizing the significant opportunity presented by cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the need to further drive the expansion of women’s cricket. “I am privileged to assume the role of ICC Chair and deeply appreciate the confidence and backing of the ICC Directors and Member Boards,” Shah expressed in his statement. The post Jay Shah assumes role as ICC Chair appeared first on DailyNews. Source link

After losing the first Test of their away series by a large margin, Sri Lanka dropped to 5th place in the WTC 2023-25 points table, with a points percentage of 50%. South Africa climbed to second place in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings with a commanding 233-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Durban on Saturday. Marco Jansen was the standout performer for the hosts, delivering exceptional match figures of 11/86. Sri Lanka began the match in 3rd place, holding a points percentage of 55.56%. Jansen was named Player of the Match for his impactful performance. South Africa displaced Australia from second place and moved closer to securing a spot in the WTC final next year in London. Currently, South Africa holds second place with a points percentage of 59.26%, having won five and lost three of their nine matches. They trail India, who remain at...

Two young competitors Tharushika and Manuthi from Anuradhapura Central College, won Silver and Bronze in 11th Commonwealth Karate Championship at Durban, South Africa. Tharushika Senaratne, who competed in the under 21 age 50Kg weight class, won the silver medal and, Manuthi Irugalbandara, who competed in the under-18 59Kg weight class, won the bronze medal.   The post Tharushika and Manuthi made mother Lanka proud in Durban appeared first on DailyNews. Source link

The Indian Navy successfully intercepted two Sri Lankan-flagged fishing boats suspected of narcotics smuggling in the Arabian Sea. According to an official release, the operation, which was conducted on November 24 and 25, resulted in the seizure of around 500 kg of crystal meth (ICE). The drugs were handed over to Sri Lankan Navy for further legal action, underscoring the strong maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka in tackling regional security challenges. Based on information received from the Sri Lankan Navy and aerial surveillance conducted by the Indian Naval Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), the Indian Navy localised and identified two vessels involved in the illegal activity. The surveillance efforts were supported by data from the Information Fusion Centre (Indian Ocean Region) in Gurugram. Extensive surveillance was undertaken by Indian Naval Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft, based on inputs from...

The Meteorology Department has issued a ‘Red’ alert for Cyclone “FENGAL” in the Southwest Bay of Bengal, covering land, and the surrounding deep and shallow sea areas. According to the advisory, the Deep Depression in the Southwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into Cyclonic Storm “FENGAL” while moving north-northwestward. As of 2:30 p.m. on November 29, 2024, it was positioned approximately 280 km northeast of Kankasanthurai and 310 km north-northeast of Trincomalee. The cyclone is expected to move west-northwestward and make landfall near the northern Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts as a cyclonic storm by midday on November 30. Its impact on Sri Lanka’s weather is anticipated to diminish gradually after today (29). Rain and thunderstorms are forecast at intervals for the Northern and North-Central Provinces and the Trincomalee District, with certain areas in the Northern Province likely to experience heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm. Intermittent showers are also expected in the...

The Meteorology Department reports that the deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal, positioned approximately 240 km northeast of Trincomalee and 290 km east of Kankesanthurai, is expected to gradually lessen its impact on the island’s weather after today (29). The system is predicted to move northwestward toward the Tamil Nadu coast. Meanwhile, occasional rainfall is anticipated in the Northern and North-Central Provinces, as well as the Trincomalee district, with the possibility of heavy showers exceeding 100 mm in the Northern Province. Intermittent rain is also expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, and North-Western Provinces, along with the Galle, Matara, Matale, and Kandy districts. Several other regions across the island may experience rain or thunderstorms in the evening or at night. Winds reaching speeds of around 60 km/h are likely at times in the Northern, North-Central, North-Western, Eastern, Central, and Southern Provinces. The public is advised to take necessary precautions...

In response to the emergency situation caused by the release of water from the Kondawattuwan Reservoir in Ampara due to adverse weather conditions, the Sri Lanka Army, under the guidance of the Commander of the Army, provided assistance to ensure the uninterrupted participation of G.C.E. Advanced Level examination candidates who were unable to access their examination centres due to the disaster. Additionally, residents affected by the floods received support. Army troops deployed boats, trucks, and Uni-Buffel vehicles to transport them safely. The post Relief Services for A/L Students and Residents Affected by Adverse Weather Conditions in Ampara appeared first on DailyNews. Source link

Moody’s has put Sri Lanka’s Ca long-term foreign currency credit score under assessment for a possible upgrade, the ratings agency announced on Wednesday. This follows the government’s proposal for a bond exchange, designed to finalize the restructuring of its international debt. The bond exchange, initiated on Tuesday, is a key component of the nation’s ongoing $12.55 billion debt overhaul and efforts to restore economic stability. Sri Lanka defaulted on its external debt for the first time in May 2022, struggling under a severe economic crisis due to a massive debt load and dwindling foreign currency reserves. Moody’s also assigned a provisional Caa1 rating to the country’s new dollar-denominated debt instruments, which are part of the bond exchange initiative. Source: Reuters The post Moody’s reviews Sri Lanka’s credit rating for a potential upgrade following bond-swap proposal appeared first on DailyNews. Source link