The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating former counterterrorism official Joe Kent, who resigned in protest over the Iran war, US media reported Wednesday. The bureau’s investigation was underway before Kent resigned Tuesday as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, said NewsNation, citing a source. “Joe Kent is under FBI investigation for allegedly leaking classified information, three sources tell me. I’m told the investigation pre-dates his departure,” Shelby Talcott, White House correspondent for news website Semafor, wrote in a post on X. Tuesday, Kent announced on X that he has decided to resign from his position as he “cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war with Iran.” “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” he wrote in the post. Kent noted that early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined President Donald Trump’s America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran. Analysts say the resignation of a top US counterterrorism official signals mounting pressure on the Trump administration over the Iran war, amid intensifying criticism from Democratic lawmakers, business leaders, and even segments of his own support base. Recent polls show that a significant portion of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) supporters continue to back Trump’s military actions against Iran. Meanwhile, several key MAGA opinion leaders have publicly voiced their opposition, including Trump’s former chief strategist Steve Bannon. Source: Xinhua

FBI reportedly investigating former US counterterrorism chief who resigned over Iran war

Iran is considering a proposal to levy transit fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a lawmaker said on Thursday, a potential bid to monetise Tehran’s newfound grip over the critical waterway through which a fifth of global oil and liquefied gas passes. Since the start of ⁠the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, Tehran has disrupted maritime transit through the strait for vessels it says are linked to its war adversaries and their allies. According to the Iranian Students’ News Agency, the lawmaker said parliament was considering a bill under which countries using the strait for shipping, energy transit ⁠and food supplies would be required to pay tolls and taxes to Iran. An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader said “a new regime for the Strait of Hormuz” ⁠will follow the war’s eventual end, allowing Tehran to apply maritime restrictions on states that have sanctioned it. “By ⁠using the strategic position of the Strait of Hormuz, we can sanction (the West) and prevent ⁠their ships from passing through this waterway,” Mohammad Mokhber said on Thursday, according to Mehr news agency. Source: Reuters

Iran considers levying transit fees on ships in Hormuz Strait, lawmaker says

The Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA) stated that banks will continue services from Monday to Friday as an essential service. Banks will remain open on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. under temporary fuel conservation measures. The SLBA urged customers to use digital banking channels and limit branch visits to essential needs.

Banks to operate all weekdays amid fuel measures

The Sri Lankan Rupee experienced a minor depreciation against the US Dollar today (19), compared to its value on Wednesday.&nbsp; According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate for the US Dollar increased marginally from Rs. 307.54 to Rs. 307.58, while the selling rate rose from Rs. 315.07 to Rs. 315.12. Despite this slight decline against the dollar, the Sri Lankan Rupee has shown strength against a basket of other foreign currencies, including Gulf currencies.

Sri Lankan Rupee slightly depreciates against US dollar

Sri Lanka and Japan hold high-level defence talks

The United States Special Representative for South and Central Asia, Ambassador Sergio Gor, currently visiting Sri Lanka, held a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this morning (19) at the Presidential Secretariat.&nbsp; The discussion focused on further enhancing the bilateral relationship between the United States and Sri Lanka. During the meeting, President Dissanayake provided an update on Sri Lanka’s stance regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the challenges the country faces amid regional developments. The dialogue aimed to foster closer cooperation and mutual understanding between the two nations. Attending the meeting from the Sri Lankan side were Secretary to the President,. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development,. Harshana Suriyapperuma; Senior Economic Adviser to the President, Duminda Hulangamuwa; Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Mr. Roshan Gamage; and members of Ambassador Gor’s delegation.

US Special Representative Sergio Gor meets President 

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court was informed today (19) that former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena admitted in a statement to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption that Rs. 60 million received as a bribe in the 2016 Airbus deal was handed over to then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa.&nbsp; According to the Commission, Chandrasena stated that the bribe was paid in three installments to Rajapaksa, with an additional Rs. 20 million allegedly given to former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne.&nbsp; Investigations revealed that the money was funneled through a shell company registered in Brunei under Chandrasena’s wife’s name, with funds transferred from Europe to an account in Australia. The funds, totaling over Euro 1.45 million, were reportedly obtained from the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company as part of the scandal. Portions of the bribe money are said to have been distributed to a SriLankan Airlines director and other high-ranking officials. Chandrasena was arrested in connection with the case, and Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered his further remand until 2 April.&nbsp;The investigation continues as authorities seek to unravel the full extent of the alleged corruption.

Ex-SriLankan Airlines CEO claims Rs. 60 mn bribe was paid to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa

The Civil Society Collective for Malaiyaha Reconstruction has submitted a 15-point set of demands to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, calling for immediate measures to assist Tamil families in the Hill Country still impacted by Cyclone Ditwah.&nbsp; The group highlighted that months after the disaster, hundreds of families remain in temporary shelters, unsafe houses, and dilapidated plantation buildings, with little progress on resettlement or land allocation. They criticised the slow response and lack of clear policy direction, leaving many without relief or compensation. Key demands include financial aid of up to Rs. 5 million for homes destroyed, equal treatment in relief efforts, formal land ownership documents, transitional shelters that meet humanitarian standards, and the rebuilding of estate settlements into sustainable villages with proper infrastructure.&nbsp; The collective also advocates for women’s equal land rights, Tamil language accessibility in official communications, and government accountability for repairing estate infrastructure.&nbsp; They emphasise that direct intervention from the President and Prime Minister is crucial to bridge policy gaps and accelerate relief efforts, urging political unity among parties and representatives to support a dignified recovery for the affected communities.

Malaiyaha collective demands urgent housing and land reforms post-cyclone 

Labubu’s toothy grin will be coming to the big screen after toy maker Pop Mart and Sony Pictures Entertainment announced plans to develop a feature film based on the ugly-cute monster. The film, announced in a Pop Mart statement on Thursday, marks a major step in Chinese firm Pop Mart’s long-anticipated expansion of its best knoAwn characters beyond collectible toys and into other entertainment and cultural products. The move highlights Pop Mart’s determination to turn Labubu from a viral sensation ⁠into an entertainment franchise with broad international reach. The company underscored that ambition earlier this year when it said London would become its European headquarters. Paul King, the BAFTA-nominated filmmaker behind ‘‘Paddington’’, ‘‘Paddington 2’’ and ‘‘Wonka’’, is attached to produce and direct the film. He will also co-write the screenplay with Steven Levenson, the award-winning writer best known for ‘‘Dear Evan Hansen’’. The film is in early development and is planned as a live-action and CGI hybrid, according to the companies. Pop Mart has said it is drawing on Disney’s DIS.N playbook as it looks to turn Labubu’s popularity into lasting success. Executives have said there is significant scope to expand Pop Mart characters, ⁠such as Labubu, into content, entertainment, theme parks and additional merchandise, much as Disney has done with its best-known intellectual property. Morningstar analyst Jeff Zhang said the partnership with Sony Pictures was a milestone in Pop Mart’s efforts to diversify its revenue streams. ‘‘Given Labubu’s global popularity, the movie will likely add to Pop Mart’s future licensing ⁠income,’’ Zhang said. ‘‘However ... we do not expect the news to materially impact Pop Mart’s stock valuation.’’ Labubu’s global popularity has helped drive the Hong Kong-listed company’s shares up 64% over the past year, lifting Pop Mart’s market value above ⁠the combined worth of Hasbro, Mattel and Sanrio. Kasing Lung, the Hong Kong-born artist and writer who was raised in the Netherlands, created Labubu and The Monsters in a series of picture books known ⁠as ‘‘The Monsters Trilogy’’ in 2015. Lung will serve as executive producer on the film. Pop Mart is currently showcasing The Monsters as part of a global tour to mark the characters’ 10th anniversary, with the latest stop in Paris. Source: Reuters&nbsp;

FBI reportedly investigating former US counterterrorism chie ...

Iran considers levying transit fees on ships in Hormuz Strait, lawmake ...

Iran considers levying transit ...

Banks to operate all weekdays amid fuel measures

Banks to operate all weekdays ...

Sri Lankan Rupee slightly depreciates against US dollar

Sri Lankan Rupee slightly depr ...

Sri Lanka and Japan hold high-level defence talks

Sri Lanka and Japan hold high- ...

US Special Representative Sergio Gor meets President

US Special Representative Serg ...

Ex-SriLankan Airlines CEO claims Rs. 60 mn bribe was paid to former Pr ...

Ex-SriLankan Airlines CEO clai ...

Malaiyaha collective demands urgent housing and land reforms post-cycl ...

Malaiyaha collective demands u ...

Pop Mart and Sony team up for Labubu film to expand viral toy’s reach

Pop Mart and Sony team up for ...

Iran considers levying transit fees on ships in Hormuz Strait, lawmake ...

Iran considers levying transit ...

Banks to operate all weekdays amid fuel measures

Banks to operate all weekdays ...

Sri Lankan Rupee slightly depreciates against US dollar

Sri Lankan Rupee slightly depr ...

Sri Lanka and Japan hold high-level defence talks

Sri Lanka and Japan hold high- ...

US Special Representative Sergio Gor meets President

US Special Representative Serg ...

Ex-SriLankan Airlines CEO claims Rs. 60 mn bribe was paid to former Pr ...

Ex-SriLankan Airlines CEO clai ...

Malaiyaha collective demands urgent housing and land reforms post-cycl ...

Malaiyaha collective demands u ...

Pop Mart and Sony team up for Labubu film to expand viral toy’s reach

Pop Mart and Sony team up for ...

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Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Sri Lankan Rupee slightly depreciates against US dollar

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Sri Lanka and Japan hold high-level defence talks

Sri Lanka and Japan hold high- ...

US Special Representative Sergio Gor meets President

US Special Representative Serg ...

Ex-SriLankan Airlines CEO claims Rs. 60 mn bribe was paid to former Pr ...

Ex-SriLankan Airlines CEO clai ...