Daily Mirror Brief: Daily News Recap, Top Headlines & Must-Read Stories - 22nd August

Daily Mirror Brief is your daily news digest—bringing you the top headlines, key updates, and essential stories you may have missed across politics, tech, culture, and global affairs. Quick, clear, and curated—your trusted news recap, whenever you’re ready.

UK, Sri Lanka sign bilateral debt agreement

British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick and Sri Lanka’s Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma signed a bilateral debt agreement between the UK and Sri Lanka at the Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development today.

Ranil’s case: Power restored

The power supply in the court room where the case of former president Ranil Wickremesinghe is being taken up has been restored.

Sajith raises concerns over YouTuber predicting Ranil’s arrest

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa said if the arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was planned as a YouTuber predicted, it is a sad day where something as sacred as law and order is reduced to cheap theatrics.

Power cut delays verdict in Ranil’s case

A power cut in court delayed the delivery of the order in former president Ranil Wickremesinghe’s case for another 30 minutes.

Ranil’s case: Court in recess for 30 minutes

The Fort Magistrate’s Court has gone into recess for 30 minutes during the ongoing hearing against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Another petition filed challenging Indo-Lanka Digital Identity deal

National Freedom Front (NFF) leader and former Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa has filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court challenging the Cabinet decision to implement the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) Programme, which is funded through a grant from the Government of India.

’Don’t worry, I’ll control the situation’: Ranil tells crowd gathered at court

’’Don’t worry I’ll control the situation,’’ former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was heard telling the crowd that gathered at the Fort Magistrate’s Court when he was brought there.

Were YouTubers informed of plan to arrest Ranil? Opposition MP questions

A controversial question was raised in Parliament by Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, who alleged that certain YouTubers may have been provided with advance information about a supposed plan to arrest former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Ranil arrested over personal tour to UK using public funds: Bimal

’’Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested for going on a personal tour to the UK using public funds,’’ Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament today.

SJB’s Lihini Fernando condemns YouTuber’s remarks on Ranil’s arrest

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) member and lawyer Lihini Fernando has strongly condemned a statement made by YouTuber Sudha, who suggested that President Ranil Wickremesinghe should be mandatorily remanded if he appears before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to give a statement.

Vindictive and vicious govt – Navin D on RW’s arrest

United National Party’s loyalist Navin Dissanayake condemned the arrest of his party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, having been taken into police custody on Friday, for misusing state funds for his spouse’s visit.

Namal arrives at Fort Magistrate’s Court

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa arrived at the Fort Magistrate’s Court a short while ago in support of Ranil Wickremesinghe who was arrested today.

Arrest receipt of Ranil Wickremesinghe

The arrest receipt given to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe following his arrest by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) indicates that he has committed offenses under the section 5(1) of the Public Property Act and sections 386, 388 of the Panel Code.

UNP releases official invitation by Wolverhampton University in defense of Ranil

The United National Party (UNP) has officially released a copy of the invitation extended to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and his wife, Professor Maithree Wickramasinghe, by the University of Wolverhampton in September 2023, following his arrest on allegations of misusing state funds for the trip.

Why was Ranil Wickremesinghe arrested?

Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested on Friday after being summoned to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), on misuse of state funds regarding a private overseas trip.

Sabry expresses strong concern over predicted arrest of Ranil

Former Foreign Minister Ali Sabry expressed strong concern over the predicted arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, labelling it as “deeply troubling” and indicative of a growing trend of vindictive politics in Sri Lanka.

Special security program for cargo at BIA amid postal strike

Aspecial security program is being developed to safeguard cargo waiting at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) due to the ongoing postal strike, Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation announced.

Ranil Wickremesinghe brought before Fort Magistrate’s Court

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested by the CID has been brought before the Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Arrest of Ranil – We kept our promise: Minister

“Our government pledged to bring all wrongdoers before justice, regardless of the positions they held. We have kept that promise,” Minister of National Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament minutes after news of the arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was released.

Ranil’s arrest – First of its kind in SL history

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested by the CID a short while ago, is the first former head of state to be arrested by law enforcement ever in Sri Lankan history.

Ranil's arrest; security tightened around Fort Magistrate’s Court

Security has been beefed up around the Fort Magistrate’s Court ahead of the appearance of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested earlier today.

Revised schedule confirmed for ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup

The ICC have announced a revised schedule for the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrested

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested today by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) after arriving to record a statement over allegations of misusing state funds.

BASL raises alarm over rising elephant deaths: Calls for urgent legal reforms

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing grave concern over the alarming increase in elephant deaths in the country, which it noted now ranks as the highest in the world.

Akila Viraj appears before Bribery Commission

Former Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) this morning (22) to provide a statement.

PTA will be abolished by early September: Minister

The gazette to abolish the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will be issued early next month, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Hearth said today.

Vital tests delayed due to spray shortage

Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (UGIE) tests, a procedure used to visually examine the upper digestive system, has been delayed in many hospitals due to the lack of anaesthetic spray needed for the procedure.

Tense situation at central mail exchange amid postal strike

A tense situation erupted between employees and officials at the Central Mail Exchange today while transporting a stock of postal bags.

Trump administration says it’s reviewing all 55 million US visa holders

The United States Department of State has said that it’s reviewing the records of more than 55 million foreigners who hold valid US visas for potential revocation or deportable violations of immigration rules.