News
Rishad lodges complaint against Wimal
… insists neither he nor his brother had links to Zahran
By Shamindra Ferdinando
All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader and Vanni District Samagi Jana Balavegaya lawmaker Rishad Bathiudeen yesterday (10) lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) requesting an inquiry into National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa’s claim that his brother Riyaj had been in touch with Easter Sunday bomber Zahran Hashim.
Addressing the media at the entrance to the CID headquarters, SJB lawmaker Bathiudeen alleged that Minister Weerawansa had made a deliberate bid to mislead the public when he delivered a speech at the Sri Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Mandiraya the previous day.
Bathiudeen said that neither he nor his brother had ever met Zahran Hashim or talked to him over the phone under any circumstances in the run-up to 2019 Easter Sunday carnage. The lawmaker alleged that Minister Weerawansa’s statement was meant to harm the Muslim community.
Minister Weerawansa during his Tuesday’s special lecture delivered at the Sri Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Mandiraya alleged that the police spokesman was on record as having said that Rishard Bathiudeen’s brother called Zahran and the police spokesman had been transferred immediately.
Weerawansa said that the police had explained to Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith how Rishad ‘s brother called Zahran Hashim and then got in touch with Rishad. Then again Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother called Zahran Hashim.
One-time Police Spokesman SSP and attorney-at-law Jaliya Senaratne told police headquarters briefing last year how Riyaj had been in touch with one of the suicide bombers in the run-up to the attacks. SSP Senaratne said that the investigators were in possession of incriminating evidence. However, Riyaj who had been detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) was subsequently released by the CID claiming there was no case against the suspect.
Attorney General Dappula de Livera, PC, intervened in the wake of over 100 SLPP members of parliament demanding an inquiry into Riyaj Bathiudeen’s release. The DIG CID and Director CID were replaced while police headquarters appointed two special teams to probe the matter. Police headquarters is yet to announce their findings.
At the time of the Easter Sunday attacks the ACMC had been a constituent of the UNP led administration, having contested the 2015 general election on the UNP ticket. The ACMC contested the last general election in 2020 on the SJB ticket.
News
Crucial Parliamentary week ahead with investigation into IGP Tennakoon and Batalanda torture chambers debate
The upcoming sitting week of Parliament, beginning next Tuesday, is set to be pivotal, with key motions including the investigation into Police Chief IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon and a debate on the notorious Batalanda torture chambers.
During the recent Business Committee meeting chaired by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne, party leaders decided that a motion proposing the establishment of a committee to investigate and recommend the removal of IGP Tennakoon will be presented for approval on April 8.
The sessions in Parliament will be held on April 8, 9, and 10, with a packed agenda. On April 8, Tuesday, Parliament will convene from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM for routine parliamentary business under Standing Order 22, sections 1 to 6. From 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, time will be allocated for oral questions. From 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM, parliamentary questions under Standing Order 27(2) will be addressed.
Later in the day, the second reading of the Bill on “Offenses Related to Criminal Activities” will be debated, and the Criminal Procedure (Special Provisions) Act will be presented for approval. The motion to appoint a committee to investigate IGP Tennakoon’s removal is also expected to be presented for approval by 5:30 PM.
The following day, April 9, Parliament will meet from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM for regular business, followed by a 30-minute session from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM for questions directed to the Prime Minister. From 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM, oral questions will be answered, and the session will continue with additional questions under Standing Order 27(2). The afternoon will see discussions on the second reading of the “Taxation (Amendment)” Bill, alongside the approval of 17 annual reports from various statutory bodies.
On April 10, Thursday, Parliament will continue its work, following a similar schedule, with a focus on the second reading of the “Battalanda Housing Complex Inquiry Report.” The debate on this significant issue is expected to continue into May, marking a critical point in the ongoing discussions surrounding past human rights abuse.
Sri Lanka’s first ever western music pop outfit comprising the visually handicapped ‘Bright Light’ was launched last Saturday at a simple ceremony at the MJF Foundation auditorium under the auspices of the Indonesian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Dewi Gustina Tobing.
The 12-member band is being trained by Melantha Perera, well known, versatile musician, music teacher and leader of the band ‘Black Jackets.’
Ambassador Tobing addressing the gathering said that she was highly impressed with the immense talent on display and the performance of the young musicians. The young musicians should go a long way as a well knitted band, if they are well nurtured, she said.
She assured all support and encouragement for the young music outfit and invited the band to perform at one of the Indonesian Embassy organized event end of June promising to encourage the group to
play the popular Indonesian traditional bamboo instrument ‘Anglung.’ and provide all assistance in that regard and present the band with some of those instruments.
Melantha said that during the pandemic he conducted free online lessons to these young men and women and later trained them at the MJF Foundation.
‘They are immensely talented and what they need is proper guidance and training and I am happy to see that my efforts are bearing fruit, and soon they will perform as a commercial band, he said.
The event was was made possible by the MJF Centre for Community Community Service and Nihal Jayasuriya, President Sri Lanka Indonesia Frienship Association, Ms Felicia Sallay and Samath Fernando.
By Harischandra Gunaratna
Members of ‘Bright Light’ the music makers: Samudra Gamage Dinesh Premakumara Randi Prarthana Theekshana Rasindu Ravichandran Jonathan Sandun Kalhara Akila Dilshan Rashini Sneha Chathruka Nipun Tharindu Lakshan Susum Navoda and Sethani Madugalle
Indonesian Ambassador Tobing performing to the music of ‘Bright Lights’
By Harishchandra Gunaratna
Chief incumbent of the Georgia Buddhist Vihara in Atlanta USA, Ven Panamwela Wajirabudhdhi thera was appointed as the Chief Adhikarana Sanghanayaka of North America.
The Scroll proclaiming the appointment was presented to Ven Wajirabudhdhi thera by Ven Thibatuwawe Sri Siddartha Sumangala the Mahanayaka thera of the Malwatta chapter at a ceremony held in Kandy last Sunday [30].
Text and pic by PRIYAN DE SILVA
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