National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa, MP, has alleged that Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Atukorale had been rewarded with justice portfolio, in spite of prevailing corruption charges against her.

The foundation stone laying ceremony of the ‘Pandith Amaradeva Sangeetha Asapuwa’ was held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena at the premises of the Ape Gama, yesterday (28).

The Colombo High Court issued summons on Avant-Garde Maritime Services (Pvt) Ltd Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi and Maj. Gen. Palitha Fernando ordering them to appear in court on September 19 for allegedly offering and accepting a bribe of Rs.35.5 million following the Avant-Garde floating armoury transaction.

Due to the Government’s lack of revenue, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), on Friday (25), printed Rs 11,336 million to help the former meet its monetary commitments, interpretation of Central Bank’s open market operations (OMO) showed.

Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne yesterday said that pharmaceutical mafia and tobacco companies were behind the moves to oust him.

The Government is considering a proposal to hand over the management and operation of existing and proposed expressways to an international company, Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella said.

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake yesterday said they would defeat the no-confidence motion brought against Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne by the Joint Opposition MPs.

Ms Thalatha Atukorale has been appointed as the new Minister of Justice and Mr Gamini Jayawickrama Perera has been appointed as the new Minister of Buddha Sasana.

Sri Lanka is likely to miss its revenue target this year due to delays in implementing proposals set out in the 2017 budget, a top finance ministry official said on Thursday.

Former Minister of Justice and Buddha Sasana, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe stated that he was ashamed that he had to be a part of a cabinet of ministers that was selling off the country’s treasures.

Cases filed against bigwigs of the previous regime may be refiled under fresh charges with the appointment of the new Justice Minister, Cabinet Co-spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday sacked the justice minister over his criticism of a $1.1 billion deal, signed last month, to lease a port to a Chinese company, the cabinet spokesman said.

President Maithripala Sirisena has approved the removal of Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa from his ministerial portfolios as per the request made by the United National Party (UNP).