Airbus Probe Deepens, Rupee Weakens Amidst Judicial Independence Concerns and Heavy Rains

Thalapathy Vijay has been sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, with his first action being a cordial meeting with outgoing CM M.K. Stalin, where Vijay sought Stalin's blessings

. New details in the SriLankan Airlines Airbus deal probe reveal alleged bribes of 2 million US Dollars in 2013, with the Bribery Commission taking steps to summon former President Mahinda Rajapaksa

. Expert Prof. Prathibha Mahanamahewa has called for an examination of the court staff's execution of the bail bond and the release process in the death of former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena, while SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam publicly stated Chandrasena's death was 'incited' or 'provoked' into suicide

. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa recorded a statement for nearly two hours at CIABOC on May 12, 2026, regarding the alleged US$2 million bribe in the 2013 Airbus deal

. U.S. President Donald Trump has described the ceasefire with Iran as being “on life support,” with Iran reiterating demands for an end to fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon, compensation for war damages, and the lifting of naval blockades and sanctions

. Following his CIABOC appearance, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa posted a statement on his official Facebook page expressing happiness in serving the public and not betraying the motherland, and stated he answered all questions properly

. An intermediary arrested in the alleged fake bail scheme for the former SriLankan Airlines CEO is a driver, and another is 74 years old, with the investigation expanding to include a lawyer and a prison jailer

. The Opposition submitted a memorandum to the Chief Justice following alleged remarks made by the President during his May Day rally speech alluding to a pending court case, with a resolution being proposed to condemn executive interference in the judiciary

. Cabinet has approved contracts for the Rambukkana-Galagedara Central Expressway section, estimated to exceed Rs. 112 billion, to be funded domestically through National Competitive Procurement

. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed officials to expedite the resettlement of over 5,500 families displaced by Cyclone Ditwah in Kandy, extending their monthly rental allowance of Rs. 25,000 by three months

. Sri Lanka and Pakistan strengthened bilateral ties, with Pakistan High Commissioner Major General (Rtd) Nayyar Naseer meeting Deputy Defence Minister Major General (Rtd) Aruna Jayasekara to discuss defence collaboration, military training, and regional security coordination

. The Joint Opposition sent a letter to Chief Justice Priyasath Dep expressing grave concerns about a "serious threat to judicial independence" due to the President's May Day remarks, with the letter signed by 20 leaders

. The Supreme Court ordered the University of Peradeniya to take immediate steps to prevent sexual harassment and gender-based abuse against staff and students, following a fundamental rights petition

. The cabinet approved a mixed-development project on a 1 acre, 1 rood, 19.40 perch prime state land in Kottawa, to be offered on a 99-year lease

. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, speaking at the Matale District Special Coordination Committee meeting, reiterated his vow for fair law enforcement, emphasizing that no one is above the law and instructing all Rs 500 billion disaster relief projects be completed by year-end

. A Cabinet subcommittee allocated over Rs. 300 million to compensate 276 individuals affected by the Uma Oya Development Project, implementing a revised scientific valuation process for land disputes

. The Sri Lankan Cabinet approved an amendment to the Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 to expand the definition of 'animal' to include pigs, goats, and sheep

. Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa announced the upcoming recruitment of 2847 new nurses following a discussion with the All Ceylon Nurses' Union on May 11th

. Udaya Gammanpila appeared before a parliamentary committee on May 5th regarding the controversial release of 323 containers and also provided a statement to the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) concerning his remarks on national security

. Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Wijitha Herath's official visit to Belarus (May 12-15, 2026) will include meetings with the Belarusian Ministers of Education and Health, with agreements expected on trade and tourism

. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay specifically thanked President Dissanayake via X for his congratulatory message, calling it a "gracious gesture"

. Three councillors representing the Joint Opposition at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) have declared themselves independent members, citing a lack of unity within the Joint Opposition

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A new group of 23 foreign nationals (Indian and Nepali) have been arrested in Galle in the Southern Province cybercrime crackdown, bringing the total to a minimum of 221

. The Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate rejected an order to re-remand the Atamasthana Chief Prelate on May 12th, who was previously ordered to be transferred to a prison hospital for treatment

. Police are intensifying their crackdown on illegal vehicle modifications and noisy exhausts, highlighting that modified buses operating without proper fitness certificates contribute to accidents and urging the public to report vehicles emitting black smoke to 070 350 0525

. Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasanda Amarasekara has ordered Apple Inc. to assist in unlocking the mobile phone of the late Kapila Chandrasena, former CEO of SriLankan Airlines, as it is secured by Face ID

. A shooting incident at Dickson Junction in Galle resulted in the death of a 43-year-old resident of Ahangama, reportedly involved in businesses and money lending, with five police teams deployed to apprehend suspects

. The 23 monks arrested for smuggling kush and hash drugs from Thailand have been further remanded until May 26, with investigations suggesting a monk named Amitananda led the operation

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The Sri Lankan Rupee continued its depreciation against the US Dollar, with the selling rate steady at Rs. 325 on May 11th and reaching Rs. 325.50 at Seylan Bank by May 12th

. The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) initiated legal proceedings against a shop in Mawanella for selling a 5kg pack of Keeri Samba rice at Rs. 1,950, significantly exceeding the MRP of Rs. 1,300

. Sri Lanka has welcomed over 922,883 tourists from January 1 to May 10, 2026, with 46,606 arrivals in the first ten days of May, though overall arrivals slowed in March and April due to the Middle East conflict

. The selling rate of the US dollar has now surpassed LKR 326.12, marking the first time since January 19, 2024, and the buying rate climbed to LKR 318.57, a level not seen since January 11, 2024

. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a resolution to amend the State Mortgage and Investment Bank Law No. 13 of 1975, aiming to align the bank's operations with the current business environment and address limitations hindering its performance

. Sri Lanka received US$767.9 million in workers' remittances in April 2026, a substantial 19% increase year-on-year compared to April 2025, with cumulative remittances reaching US$3,062.8 million for the first four months of 2026

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The low-pressure area northeast of Sri Lanka is expected to continue its northward movement, bringing showers or thundershowers to several provinces and districts, with heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm likely in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Uva provinces, and Ampara and Batticaloa districts

. The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) extended landslide early warnings until 4:00 PM tomorrow (May 13th), covering nine districts, with a Level 2 (Amber) warning for Passara DSD in Badulla and Level 1 (Yellow) warnings for multiple DSDs including new areas in Kandy and Kegalle districts

. 16 major and 10 medium-scale reservoirs are now overflowing, leading to the opening of spill gates, including 12 gates at Rajanganaya and 6 at Lunugamvehera

. Sixteen major and ten medium-scale reservoirs are releasing water due to heavy rainfall, with four spill gates at Deduru Oya opened to two feet each, discharging 5,500 cubic feet of water per second, and twelve spill gates at Rajanganaya Reservoir opened, discharging 14,565 cubic feet per second

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Schools in the Deniyaya Education Zone are set to reopen tomorrow, May 13, after temporary closures due to a viral fever outbreak that affected approximately 56 students, with preparations including cleaning and establishing a health-protected environment

. All passengers and crew from the MV Hondius have been evacuated, with 6 passengers and 19 crew members flown to the Netherlands and immediately placed in quarantine due to suspected human-to-human Hantavirus transmission

. Sri Lanka has reported 27,754 dengue cases and 14 deaths as of May 11, 2026, with patients now reported from all twenty-five districts, and the Western Province recording the highest number of infections

. Sri Lanka has recorded 12 dengue-related deaths this year, including two children under the age of 12 from Colombo and Ratnapura districts, with a total of 25,846 dengue cases nationwide attributed to intermittent rainfall and favourable environmental conditions

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The low-pressure zone to the northeast of Sri Lanka is expected to continue bringing rain for the next few days, with heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm forecast for the Western, Sabaragamuwa, North Western, Northern, and North Central provinces, as well as the Trincomalee, Galle, Matara, and Anuradhapura districts

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that a key objective of higher education policy is to broaden access to higher education and introduce new educational opportunities for students, enabling them to view the world with a broader perspective on professionalism and training

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