Rajapaksa Faces MiG Probe, Premadasa Slams Election Delay Amidst Grenade Attack Tragedy and Dengue Surge

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appeared at the FCID today, September 11th, to provide a statement regarding the ongoing MiG aircraft deal inquiry, following former Air Force Commander Roshan Goonetileke's statement yesterday

. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticized the government in Parliament, alleging they are using a committee to prevent Provincial Council elections and deprive citizens of their voting rights, urging immediate elections

. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) and Catholic religious leaders, emphasizing national unity, psychological security for all communities, and progress on Easter attack investigations

. In other news, Venerable Ampitiye Sumanarathana Thero was released on bail today after being remanded for allegedly obstructing Mines Bureau officials

. The Supreme Court declared the 2019 presidential pardon for Gnanasara Thero invalid, meaning he must serve the remaining period of his six-year sentence for contempt of court

. Additionally, the Indian Naval Ship INS Udaygiri departed Colombo after a goodwill visit, engaging in joint beach cleaning and other activities to strengthen bilateral ties

. IMF representatives were briefed on Sri Lanka Customs' upcoming Paperless Customs Declaration Processing System, set for implementation on October 1, 2026

, and the new Chinese Ambassador Wei Huaxiang met former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to discuss strengthening bilateral relations

.

New reports confirm that the deadly grenade attack in Dehiwala, which resulted in two child fatalities, was carried out on the wrong house, with unidentified individuals knocking before detonating the device

. The Sri Lanka Navy rescued three more individuals from a sandbank off Talaimannar, bringing the total to 11 suspected human smuggling victims, including 5 children, 4 women, and 2 men, who have been handed over to police

. Police have initiated steps to confiscate Rs. 1.1 billion in illegal assets linked to drug trafficking, including property, vehicles, and cash, with two properties worth over Rs. 130 million frozen in Embilipitiya

.

The Meteorological Department forecasts heavy rain exceeding 50mm in parts of the Uva, Eastern, North, and North-Central provinces, including Mullaitivu, over the next 36 hours, with isolated rain or thundershowers expected elsewhere

. A new United Nations report warns Sri Lanka faces elevated climate and food-system risks due to strengthening El Niño conditions, anticipating above-normal rainfall from October to November that could lead to floods and disrupt the Maha cultivation season

.

Sri Lanka's dengue crisis continues to deepen, with the year-to-date case count rising to 97,027 and the death toll remaining at 74. The Western Province accounts for over half of these cases, with Colombo district alone recording 19,412 cases

.

Sri Lanka has achieved a significant milestone by exporting its first locally manufactured amphibious craft to Europe, a high-tech vessel produced by Ocean Voyager International at the Koggala Free Trade Zone

. This export aligns with the nation's new industrial and export revival policy, marking a major advancement in domestic production capabilities.

A new, 86.04 kg golden casket has been privately donated for the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, containing approximately 65.224 kg of gold and various precious gems

.

The Colombo Marathon 2026 has received cabinet approval and is scheduled for September 13 at the Galle Face Grounds, coinciding with the 50th National Sports Festival. This international event aims to promote sports culture and tourism, expecting over 5,000 athletes across various race categories

.