A higher diploma student has filed a compensation case against the University of Colombo administration, alleging examination irregularities that wasted his time, effort, and money, it was reported.

According to the Lankadeepa newspaper, the petitioner, Sanath Kumara Athukorala, is seeking Rs. 5 million in damages. 

Nugegoda District Judge R.A.N. Rajapaksha has issued summons ordering the Vice Chancellor and seven senior officials to appear in court on September 10.

The judge questioned how students initially declared failed were later marked as passed without a re‑examination, directing the officials to provide answers when they appear. 

Summons were served to lecturers and administrators of the Faculty of Management and Finance, including D.C.L. Diyaguarachchi, W.P. Premarathna, Head of Department Sashika Abeydeera Manoratne, Dean H.M. Nihal Hennayake, Assistant Registrar Vajira Hapuhinna Jayarathne, former Vice Chancellor H.D. Karunaratne, current Vice Chancellor Indika Mahesh Karunathilaka, and the Attorney General.

Athukorala, enrolled in the Advanced Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, alleges serious unfairness in subjects 508 “Operations Management for Small Business” and 510 “Business Strategy and Sustainability.” 

He claims Diyaguarachchi demanded Rs. 80,000, which he refused, and later developed hostility toward him after a dispute during a workshop. He further alleges she unfairly awarded him low marks and revealed exam questions to other students.

After failing in January 2025, Athukorala says he complained to the administration, but by April 2025 new results showed several students had passed despite no re‑examination. He also alleges irregularities in subject 510, where Rs. 3,500 was collected from each student for a group project, but full marks were awarded even to those who did not participate.

He argues that arbitrary and unethical practices deprived him of success, and despite complaints to the university and the Bribery Commission, investigations remain ongoing. 

Athukorala insists the administration has not explained how failed students were later declared passed, accusing officials of fraudulent practices including awarding degrees to failed students.

The case will be heard on September 10, with the Vice Chancellor and senior officials ordered to present their responses in court. (Newswire)

The post Colombo University officials summoned over exam irregularities case appeared first on Newswire.

The United National Party (UNP) has raised concerns over expenses related to the investigation into former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s UK visit, claiming that former official Aruna Fernando was paid £650 to provide evidence in the case recently.

Issuing a statement, the UNP said Aruna Fernando, who served as Chief Administrative Officer at the Sri Lanka High Commission in London during the tenure of High Commissioner Saroja Sirisena, had later left the post without proper notification. 

According to the UNP, Aruna Fernando appeared from Blackpool City before a team of Sri Lankan Police officers, when they visited London to collect evidence regarding the case.

The UNP further alleged that expenses for Wickremesinghe’s visit were arranged by Aruna Fernando, with direct support from Sky Wing Company owned by his associate, Saayi Mukundan.

In addition, the UNP said the government has spent a significant sum to send five Police officers to London for evidence gathering. 

Despite inquiries made under the Right to Information Act five months ago, no response has yet been provided regarding these costs, the UNP statement said. (Newswire)

The post UNP raises concerns over expenses in investigation into RW’s UK visit appeared first on Newswire.

The case against eight Sri Lankan fishermen who are detained in Madagascar for engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities will be taken up for hearing today (04 Aug).

According to the Sunday Times, the multi-day fishing vessel, which had departed from the Wellamankara fishing harbour on April 25, was seized by Madagascar’s maritime patrol on June 2 within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). 

At the time of seizure, it was reported that the crew failed to produce valid entry documents or fishing licenses and had tampered with navigation data and the Automatic Identification System (AIS). The vessel was also not flying a national flag at the time of its capture, complicating identification.

The Malagasy Police had also discovered 16,125 kilograms of frozen shark heads, 1,618 kilograms of dried shark fillets, 23 kilograms of dried shark fins, and 4 kilograms of dried shark gills aboard. The shark species are listed under Appendix II of the CITES agreement.

A previous court proceeding in Madagascar, conducted in French, was postponed to today due to the unavailability of a Sinhala-French translator. 

It is reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stepped in to provide a Sinhala-French interpretation for the upcoming court hearing to assist the fishermen who are detained in Madagascar.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its Consular Affairs Division and in coordination with the Sri Lanka High Commission in Seychelles, accredited to Madagascar, has been actively engaged in the matter. (Newswire)

The post Case against 08 SL fishermen in Madagascar to be taken up today appeared first on Newswire.

The Colombo High Court has ordered to grant bail and release former minister Johnston Fernando from the case related to using employees of the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) for election purposes.

On October 24, the court issued an arrest warrant for Johnston Fernando for failing to appear for the case hearing.

The Bribery Commission had filed a case on corruption against former minister Johnston Fernando, former CWE Chairman Eraj Fernando, and the former minister’s Private Secretary Raj Mohideen Mohammad Sakeer.

Johnston Fernando is accused of allegedly causing an unlawful loss of nearly Rs. 40 million to the government by employing 153 employees of Lanka Sathosa (CWE) for election work from 2010 -2014. (Newswire)

The post Johnston released on bail from another case appeared first on Newswire.