News

Do not burden Magistrates, but enhance office of Inquirers into Sudden Deaths on par with Presidents of LTs – NSC

Published

4 months ago

2025/10/7

The National Shoora Council (NSC), an apex body of Muslim civil society organisations in Sri Lanka has urged Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara not to overload the already overburdened judiciary with additional work related to inquests into sudden deaths currently handled mostly by Inquirers into Sudden Deaths (ISDs).

Presently only in instances of ‘reasonable suspicion of crime’ including criminal negligence, Magistrates are required under section 370(3) of the law relating to criminal procedure to handle inquests of deaths. That should remain, the NSC has said, but do not add the work of ISDs on to the Magistrates!

NSC’s letter to the Minister dated 5th October 2025, while welcoming the Justice Ministry efforts to streamline the country’s justice delivery system to be people friendly, less costly to the public and minimize the perennial problem of laws delays, has pointed out that some of the new proposals, if accepted, will contribute to laws’ delays. It will also make the process of releasing bodies through Courts much more costly to the grieving families.

Past records indicate that almost 99% of deaths though sudden, happen in the ordinary course of nature! It does not seem just or fair that these 99% should be subjected to the exceptional process of a magisterial inquiry and post mortems required without doubt for the less than 1% of the cases where crime is suspected!

Post mortems cost the government considerable additional sums of money and additional costs also to the grieving families. Dead human bodies are also entitled under international humanitarian laws and customary laws to respect and dignity. All religions too mandate dignified last rites to the dead!

We urge the government not to burden further the regular Courts of law but to enhance the office of the ISDs with facilities on par with the office of Presidents of Labour Tribunals, provide for higher educational qualifications for new recruits with fair emoluments.

As pledged by the government, changes to the existing laws should minimize delays, make the process less costly and the system, people friendly, the representations made by NSC President M. Zuhair PC and General Secretary Rasheed M Imthiyaz Attorney at Law have said.

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News

SAARC journalists meet in New Delhi

Published

6 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

President of SJF Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi hands over a memento to Dr Alok Kumar Mishra Joint Secretary of the Association of Indian Universities

Members of the South Asian Journalists Forum have gathered at the University of New Delhi for a two day conference themed ‘Peace and Co-operation’.

Journalists from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India are attending the conference hosted by the University of Delhi in collaboration with the India Chapter of SJF, and will deliberate on how the media can act as a catalyst for regional stability and mutual coexsistence.

A tree plantation campaign was also held at the Ghandi Bhawan premises of the University to mark the event and symbolize growing regional ties.

The Sri Lanka delegation is led by President of SJF’s Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi.

News

Governor of Gujarat met with Sri Lanka PM to discuss exposition of Devnimori Relics

Published

8 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

The Governor of the of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, along with the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghvi, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursdy [February 05] at the Parliamentary Complex to discuss the arrangements related to the exposition of the Devnimori Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, which have been brought to Sri Lanka under the patronage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India.

These sacred relics of Lord Buddha were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted in the 1960s at the historic Devnimori site in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Until now, these relics had never been taken outside India. As a result of discussions held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka have been granted this rare opportunity to venerate these sacred relics.

The exposition of the relics is being held for a period of seven days, from February 05 to February 11, at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo. Discussions were held between both parties regarding the arrangements related to this event.

The discussion was attended by Samar Nanda, Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Culture; Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, Acting High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka; Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation; along with several others.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

INS GHARIAL makes port call in Colombo

Published

14 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) GHARIAL made a port call in Colombo for operational turnarounds on 04 Feb 26. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.

Commanded by Commander Gaurav Tewari, INS GHARIAL is a vessel with a length of 124.8 meters.

During this visit, ten (10) Bailey Bridges, brought by ship, through the coordination of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, will be handed over to the Disaster Management Center. These bridges will provide temporary transportation links while bridges damaged across the island by adverse weather conditions are repaired.

The crew’s itinerary features scheduled goodwill activities with the Sri Lanka Navy, alongside visits to several tourist attractions across the island.