A new controversy has erupted in Sri Lanka's political landscape, with former Minister Johnston Fernando being implicated in a contentious ethanol deal, and two Members of Parliament, Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Najith Indika, accused of attempting to broker a deal at the Kingsbury Hotel.

Popular model and actress Piumi Hansamali was questioned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for approximately two hours yesterday (21). Police sources indicate that the investigation stems from a photograph discovered on the mobile phone of an individual identified as Kehelbaddara Padme. The photograph reportedly shows Padme alongside Piumi Hansamali and several other well-known actresses.

Lasantha Wickremasekara, the Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, who was recently gunned down by an unidentified assailant, had reportedly sent an official letter to the Inspector General of Police on August 29, stating that his life was under threat. In the letter, he claimed to have received credible information that underworld gangs were attempting to assassinate him and requested appropriate action be taken.

In a swift move to inject new dynamism into Sri Lanka's political landscape, the United National Party (UNP) has created a significant new position, appointing former Minister Harin Fernando as the Deputy Secretary General of Political Mobilization. This decision, according to close party sources, was made with the direct and personal approval of party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, reportedly despite some internal reservations among close confidantes.

Accusations arose from youth leaders and politicians across many districts that the government’s political authority and certain representatives intervened in the selection of district leaders who participated in the National Youth Service Council (NYSC) Youth Convention, thereby politicizing the process. Despite the selection of youth leaders through various methods, the ‘Youth Club’ National Youth Convention, organized by the National Youth Service Council (NYSC), was held on August 12, 2025, at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo, presided over by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is grappling with severe internal conflicts as its Anuradhapura District Leader, MP Rohana Bandara, along with all district organizers, has temporarily withdrawn from party organizational activities and vowed to boycott all meetings attended by party leader Sajith Premadasa. This decisive action stems from alleged interference by the party headquarters in the appointment of councilors to the Anuradhapura Municipal Council.

A heated political dispute between Deputy Minister of Industries Chathuranga Abeysinghe, a young representative of the current government, and former Provincial Council Member Waruna Rajapaksha, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Gampaha electorate organizer, has escalated. Rajapaksha has leveled serious accusations against Abeysinghe regarding a "hidden business transaction" involving a "Rs. 100 million investment" that Abeysinghe allegedly failed to disclose, linked to a discussion at the Kingsbury Hotel.