Former President Maithripala Sirisena has apologised to the Maha Sangha over a technical error in the documentation relating to the presidential pardon granted to Ven. Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, saying the failure to obtain the required approval from the Ministry of Justice and Prisons during his tenure was his responsibility.

In a statement issued on October 19, Sirisena said the relevant files had not been forwarded to the ministry for approval, although the Additional Senior Secretary in charge of the Legal Division at the Presidential Secretariat had informed him that the two cases against the Thera should be referred to the ministry.

“As a result, only my signature was obtained without the approval of the aforementioned ministry. That was a failure on my part,” he said.

Sirisena said he had issued the clarification after studying a copy of the court ruling available on the internet, following inquiries from members of the Maha Sangha, journalists and others about the technical error cited in the decision to re-imprison Gnanasara Thera.

He said the ruling referred to a technical error in the documents submitted by the Presidential Secretariat as one of the reasons for the court’s decision, adding that he respected the court’s ruling.

The former President identified two cases against Gnanasara Thera at the Homagama Magistrate’s Court, including case No. B 7417/10 relating to obstruction of court proceedings and contempt of court under Article 105 of the Constitution, as well as another case numbered 40042.

According to Sirisena, the legal division of the Presidential Secretariat had advised that both cases be referred to the Ministry of Justice and Prisons for approval before a pardon was granted. However, the required referral was not made.

He said the court proceedings leading to the decision had followed a case filed by Sandhya Ekneligoda, through a non-governmental organisation associated with Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu.

Sirisena said the failure by officials at the Presidential Secretariat during his tenure had contributed to the circumstances under which Gnanasara Thera was imprisoned again. Although the lapse had occurred during his presidency, he apologised to the Maha Sangha for the mistake, stating that he considered it necessary to clarify the circumstances surrounding the matter.

A developing weather system over the Andaman Sea could mark the beginning of a fresh cyclonic threat over the Bay of Bengal, with a low-pressure area likely to form on October 23, 2026.

The National System Operator (NSO) has announced that electricity demand management measures will no longer be required from today (October 22), following the restoration of Lakvijaya Power Station Unit 02 to its full capacity of 270 MW.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala today told Parliament that the Government has intensified investigations into drug-related offences, with 586,824 individuals arrested during 588,180 drug raids conducted over the past two years.

SriLankan Airlines has announced that the suspension of all flights between Colombo and Dammam, and Colombo and Riyadh, will remain in effect until and including November 1, 2026, due to the prevailing security situation in the region.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said it is yet to discuss with Sri Lankan authorities the government's claim that around US$ 1 billion has been siphoned out of the country under the guise of import payments for which no goods were delivered.

The Court of Appeal (CoA) today (Oct. 22) rejected a series of intervention petitions seeking permission to make submissions in connection with the writ petition filed by former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay.

Sri Lanka Police have recorded statements from 14 individuals, including politicians, in connection with the installation of a statue of former LTTE member Rasaiah Parthipan, also known as Thileepan, in Nallur, Jaffna.

ITAK Parliamentary Group Leader MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has strongly opposed the establishment of additional liquor outlets in Jaffna and Kilinochchi, urging the government to prioritise development and public welfare in the Northern Province.

The government today assured the public that there was no reason to fear shortages of gas, fuel, fertiliser or medicine, saying sufficient stocks were available in the country.

The National System Operator (Pvt.) Ltd. expects the Norochcholai coal power plant to resume power generation by tomorrow (Thursday), an official said yesterday.

SriLankan Airlines has denied media reports and public statements claiming that its information technology (IT) systems had been hacked or compromised, insisting that its systems were not under the control of hackers.

Wheat flour companies in Sri Lanka have taken steps to increase the price of wheat flour with immediate effect. Accordingly, the price of a kilogram of wheat flour will increase by Rs. 13. The revised prices will come into effect immediately.

The Supreme Court (SC) has commenced hearing petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Bill titled “Protection of the State from Terrorism”, which the Government has presented to Parliament. Twenty-two petitions have so far been filed challenging the Bill. The petitions are being heard by a Trial-at-Bar bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Sampath Abayakoon.

Generator Unit 1 at the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai remains offline following a technical failure linked to the nationwide blackout on Oct. 17, 2026, Cabinet Spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara today rejected social media claims that the proposed Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill would allow authorities to arrest individuals simply for having tattoos or long hair, saying the relevant provisions apply only to those linked to known organised criminal gangs.

Sanjaya Samarasinghe, the private secretary to Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, was released on bail today by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama under the Proceeds of Crime Act, No. 5 of 2025.

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris left the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today (October 20) after giving a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Islandwide one-hour power cuts are scheduled to be imposed today (Oct. 20) as well. The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved the power cuts following a request by the National System Operator (NSO). Accordingly, the country has been divided into 04 groups, with each group scheduled to experience a one-hour power interruption between 4.30 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. today. However, power cuts will not be imposed in areas surrounding hospitals and facilities providing essential services, it has been announced.

The fire that killed four members of the Canadian military and injured dozens of others on Saturday spread with alarming speed, accounts suggest.

Four people have been killed in a tragic road accident near Kurugoda Junction in Akurana, according to the Police. The fatal accident occurred when an out-of-control cement mixer truck collided with several vehicles and pedestrians travelling along the road.