The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a Rs. 2.89 billion contract, excluding VAT, for the third phase of the Baseline Road extension project.

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa gave evidence before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (29) in connection with proceedings before the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court over the alleged abduction of social activists Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan.

The Supreme Court has ordered former Disaster Management Minister A. H. M. Fowzie to pay Rs. 6.6 million to the Consolidated Fund after ruling that he violated fundamental rights by using a luxury vehicle for personal purposes.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of a special steering committee to streamline the repatriation of Sri Lankan cultural property and artefacts taken abroad during the colonial era, in accordance with the UNESCO Convention.

The government will seek to bear the maximum possible share of rising fuel costs to limit the burden on the public as global oil prices continue to increase, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Sri Lanka and China have discussed expanding cooperation in public administration reforms, local government capacity building, disaster management, clean drinking water and artificial intelligence-based early warning systems.

An Israeli air strike killed Izz al-Din Al-Beik, the head of Hamas’ armed wing in the northern Gaza Strip, on Sept 29, Israeli and Palestinian officials said.

Sri Lanka has reiterated its call for de-escalation and the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.

The government has allocated Rs. 15 billion for a diesel subsidy in October as part of a three-month relief package aimed at shielding consumers from the impact of rising global fuel prices amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

A former Commissioner (Investigations) of the Department of Land Title Settlement has been arrested today (29) by officers of the Bribery Commission over an alleged offence of corruption that is said to have caused a financial loss of more than Rs. 1.58 billion to the government.

China and Sri Lanka have signed an agreement to implement a Chinese-funded project to reconstruct 14 major bridges destroyed by Cyclone Ditwah, which caused widespread devastation across the country late last year.

The Court of Appeal issued a warrant for the arrest of Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero and ordered that he be produced before the court.

Former National Transport Commission (NTC) Chairman, Renuka Perera, has been granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court in connection with a bribery case involving the issuance of bus route permits.

A motion filed by the Attorney General seeking an order to enforce the prison sentence imposed on Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, whose presidential pardon was revoked, was taken up before the Court of Appeal today (29).

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has arrived at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, a short while ago.

The Central Criminal Investigation Bureau (CCIB) has launched an investigation into a suspicious container located within the Colombo Port premises.

The Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Irrigation Department has withdrawn the flood warnings previously issued for several major river basins.

National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa, who was arrested and remanded in custody over his alleged involvement in the Airbus deal, has been further remanded until October 13 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court.