News
Fourteenth accused in Easter Sunday carnage case seeks bail
The bail applications of Rasheed Ibrahim, the 14th accused in the Colombo High Court Trial at Bar over the Easter carnage, and Akram Ahkam, the 25th accused in the same case, were taken up for inquiry in the Court of Appeal before Justice Sampath B. Abayakoon and Justice P. Kumararatnam on Thursday.
According to the Petition for bail filed in the Court of Appeal, Rasheed Ibrahim, who has been in state custody for over four years, has health issues, including cancer, while Akram Ahkam has completed four years without trial.
The Court heard a preliminary objection by the State on the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal to hear this bail application and also heard the counter submissions of the Petitioners and reserved order on the objections for 16 June 2023.
Counsel for the Petitioners submitted that regarding suspect Rasheed Ibrahim, the Medical Report issued by the Chief Medical Officer of the Bogambara Prison stated that the patient is afflicted with cancer.
The Counsel said the Bogambara Prison Hospital and the Kandy National Hospital did not have the medical facility and drugs to treat this uncommon type of cancer and urged that both suspects be enlarged on bail, under the provisions of Article 138(2) of the Constitution read with the newly amended section 15A of the PTA. The Petition also refers to the death in custody of the 17th accused, in the same trial at bar case, due to ill-health.
The petition for bail of Akram Ahkam alleges that during the investigations he was offered to be released if he would sign a statement saying that the Aruppola meeting was to plan the Easter attacks on churches and hotels but he refused to sign any such statement as he was ‘totally unaware of any such planning by anyone of any such attacks’.
Thereafter, the petitioner alleges that he was illegally moved out from the detention centre, specified in the detention order, to a Navy camp in Welisara, where he was threatened and tortured, employing many inhuman methods, and compelled to sign a prepared statement.
Ahkam states in the petition that when he was produced before the Colombo Magistrate, he informed the judge that he was threatened and compelled to sign a statement and the judge recorded the petitioner’s complaint in the Court record, marked P5 annexed to the Petition.
State Counsel Shakthi Jagoda Arachchi with State Counsel Akila Dalpathado appeared for the Attorney General and the other Respondents.M.M. Zuhair PC with Rizwan Uvais appeared for the Petitioners in both cases.
Police urge motorists who intend to use the Ella – Wellawaya Road to use alternative roads as there is a severe vehicle congestion due to inclement weather condition.
The oil anointing ceremony for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year was held on April 16 at the historic Rajamaha Viharaya in Kolonnawa, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Following the chanting of pirith, the oil anointing ritual was carried out at the auspicious time of 9:04 a.m., by the Chief Incumbent of the temple, Venerable Kolonnawa Dhammika Thero.
Speaking after the ceremony the Prime Minister said that:
“The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is one of the most important festivities in our country. It is a celebration with our families, reflecting our traditions and customs while strengthening the ties.
This festival leads the path for renewing unity, love, and bonds stronger. These values enrich a country. Development of a country is not limited by one-dimensional; a true development includes spirituality, relationships, and connections. The reason why we uphold these customs in such ceremonies is to remind ourselves of the significance and to pass on their value to future generations.
Therefore, today marks a significant day. Throughout this week, we came together and engaged in various activities. Followed by, the next event will mark the leaving for employment at the auspicious time and we should start working collectively to rebuild the country.
I wish everyone a New Year that is prosperous, peaceful, joyful, full of strengthened relationships, and most importantly, safe for all.”
The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Maha Sangha, and attended by the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara, Divisional Secretary to Kolonnawa Priyanath Perera, Municipal Secretary Nelum Kumari Gamage, and the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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Heat Index at ‘Caution Level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts today [16]
Warm Weather Advisory Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology for 16 April 2025
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the table below and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
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