Today’s News Digest: Your go-to summary of the key events and headlines that shaped the day. From major developments to breaking news, we bring you everything that happened today, all in one quick and easy read.
No-confidence motion against Speaker will not be debated in Parliament on November 3 – Govt
Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake, says the no-confidence motion submitted by the Opposition against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne will not be taken up for debate in Parliament on November 3. According to Minister Rathnayake, the decision follows the Opposition’s failure to amend the motion in accordance with the Standing Orders of Parliament and resubmit it before the October 28 deadline. The no-confidence motion against the Speaker had previously been scheduled for debate on November 3, following a decision taken at a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business. However, the Minister stated that the debate would not proceed as scheduled due to the failure to submit the revised motion within the stipulated timeframe.
Sangakkara reveals details of alleged racist treatment at Dublin Airport
Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara has provided further details about an alleged incident of discrimination involving Ryanair gate staff at Dublin Airport while travelling with his family. In a social media post, Sangakkara alleged that he was told passengers holding passports like his should expect such treatment. According to Sangakkara, when they questioned the treatment, they were warned that arguing with airline personnel could result in them being considered a threat to other passengers and denied boarding. Sangakkara strongly criticised the alleged remarks, rejecting the suggestion that such treatment was applied equally to all passengers. He described the comments about passports as disgusting and said the conduct was racist. The clarification follows Sangakkara’s earlier allegations that Ryanair gate personnel had behaved in a discriminatory and threatening manner towards him and his family.
Father sentenced to 54 years in prison for raping underage daughter
The Gampaha High Court has sentenced a man to 54 years of rigorous imprisonment after finding him guilty of raping his daughter, who was under the age of 16. According to Police, the verdict was delivered on Thursday (29), with the accused found guilty on all three charges filed against him. The High Court imposed 18 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 50,000 for each charge, amounting to a total prison sentence of 54 years and fines of Rs. 150,000. The court also ordered the convicted father to pay Rs. 200,000 in compensation to the victim. Failure to pay the fines will result in an additional three years of imprisonment, while failure to pay the compensation will carry a further two-year prison sentence.
Yoshitha Rajapaksa’s money laundering case postponed to November 12
The Colombo High Court has postponed the further examination of evidence in the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa until November 12. The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga today (30), during which evidence was recorded. Following today’s proceedings, the court ordered that the further examination of evidence be taken up on November 12. The Attorney General filed the case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act over allegations that he spent more than Rs. 73 million to purchase five plots of land in the Dehiwala and Ratmalana areas. The prosecution alleges that the transactions constitute an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Price of 450-gram loaf of bread increased by Rs. 5
The price of a 450-gram loaf of bread will be increased by Rs. 5 with effect from midnight today (30), the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association announced. The Association said the prices of other bakery products will also be increased by Rs. 5. The revised prices will come into effect from midnight on Friday, October 30.