News
41,000 JPs lose their title under new govt. reforms?
Former SLPP MP and Attorney-at-Law Premanath C. Dolawatta says the government has moved to restructure the post of Justice of the Peace, a position traditionally conferred on respected citizens in villages.
Dolawatta said that under Gazette No. 2489/84, persons above the age of 75 would no longer be eligible to hold the post.
He said medical certification would also be required to determine the suitability of applicants, with authorities stressing the need to assess qualifications for the position.
Dolawatta noted that the office of Justice of the Peace had long been regarded as a community honour.
Referring to the impact of the reforms, he said nearly 41,000 persons would lose their posts and argued that it was unfair to remove those currently serving.
It has been reported that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne has been found dead at his residence in Athurugiriya this morning (17)
it is suspected that he may have taken his own life.
A heated argument broke out between Jaffna District MP Archchuna Ramanathan and Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar during the Kilinochchi District Coordination Committee meeting held yesterday (16).
A video footage of the incident shows the MP and the Minister engaging in a heated verbal exchange, following which a physical confrontation appeared to develop when the Minister attempted to grab files reportedly in the possession of MP Ramanathan.
“If you lay a hand on me, I’ll lay a hand on you too… got it?” Ramanathan is heard telling the Minister during the exchange.
Police and officials present at the meeting intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The circumstances that led to the confrontation were not immediately clear.
Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has filed an intervening petition before the Court of Appeal in connection with a petition filed by former head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, challenging his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act over investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks.
The Cardinal has sought permission from the court to make submissions in relation to Sallay’s petition and requested that it be dismissed.
Former IGP C.D. Wickramaratne found dead at his residence
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A few showers may occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts
Harmer, Markram and Wolvaardt win top honours at CSA awards
War of words erupts between Minister Chandrasekar and Archchuna in North
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