News
Contempt charges initiated against former State Intelligence boss
Non-payment of Easter Sunday damages
By A.J.A Abeynayake
The Supreme Court initiated contempt of court proceedings, on Friday (27), against Nilantha Jayawardena, former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), for his failure to fully compensate the victims of the Easter Sunday bombings.
A seven-judge bench, including Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and Justices Murdu Fernando, S. Thurairaja, A.H.M.D. Nawaz, Shiran Goonaratne, Kumuduni Wickremasinghe, and Achala Wengappuli, issued a notice directing Jayawardena to appear in court on October 07.
Senior Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiries, representing the Attorney General, provided the court with updates on the payments made by the respondents to the Office for Reparations, as well as the disciplinary actions initiated against Jayawardena.
President’s Counsel Chandaka Jayasundara, representing Jayawardena, told court that his client had so far paid 10 million rupees out of the 75 million rupees owed. He explained that Jayawardena, currently on compulsory leave, was facing significant financial difficulties in paying the remaining amount, but emphasised that the shortfall was not due to deliberate non-compliance.
After hearing submissions from both sides, the Supreme Court decided to proceed with contempt of court charges and ordered Jayawardena to appear on October 07.
The court also instructed the Attorney General to liaise with the Office for Reparations and submit payment details to President’s Counsel Shammil Perera, who represented the Archbishop of Colombo.
In an earlier judgement delivered on 12 January 2023, the Supreme Court had ordered various officials to pay compensation to the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks. Former President Maithripala Sirisena, who was also the Minister of Defence at the time, was ordered to pay 100 million rupees in compensation. Additionally, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundera and former SIS Director Nilantha Jayawardena were each instructed to pay 75 million rupees. Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando was ordered to pay 50 million rupees, while former Chief of National Intelligence Sisira Mendis was instructed to pay 10 million rupees.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 12 April 2026, valid for 13 April 2026.
Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
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 above table 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.
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon.
The Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) TAIMUR and ASLAT arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 12 Apr 26.
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in
compliance with naval traditions.
The duo of ships is commanded by Captain NIAMAT SAEED KHAN (PNS TAIMUR) and Captain NADIR MATEEN AFRIDI (PNS ASLAT).
Meanwhile, the ships are expected to conduct a Bilateral Naval Exercise LION STAR V with the Sri Lanka Navy in Colombo seas.
Salt and Patidar power RCB past Mumbai Indians
Prasidh, Buttler set up comfortable win for Gujarat Titans
Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces.
Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon
PNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News7 days agoLankan-origin actress Subashini found dead in India
-
News2 days agoCEB orders temporary shutdown of large rooftop solar systems
-
News5 days agoAG: Coal procurement full of irregularities
-
Business4 days agoIsraeli attack on Lebanon triggers local stock market volatility
-
Business5 days agoHayleys Mobility introduces Premium OMODA C9 PHEV
-
News7 days agoUN Regional Director launches SL’s first Country Gender Equality Profile during official visit
-
Business4 days agoHNB Assurance marks 25 years with strategic transformation to ‘HNB Life’
-
News7 days agoDialog Launches ‘GanuDenu QR’, Making Cashless Transfers Free for All with eZ Cash and Dialog Finance