News
GR’s petition to be considered today
Sanath Wijewardane Associates, on behalf of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in terms of Article 140 of the Constitution, has requested a copy of the Commission of Inquiry, commissioned by President Maithripala Sirisena on 22nd September, 2019; Committee of Inquiry into intelligence coordination and investigative processes related to the Easter Sunday bombing; Parliament Select Committee appointed by the Parliament to look into terrorist attacks that took place in different places on 21st April, 2019; and Committee of Inquiry into allegations made in the Channel-4 television programme, titled ‘Sri Lanka’s Easter Bombings – Dispatches,’ aired on 5th September, 2023.
The Court of Appeal yesterday (17) ordered that the petition, filed by the former President, be taken up for consideration today.
The petition will be taken up today before a bench comprising President of the Court of Appeal Justice Rohantha Abeysooriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando
According to the petition filed in the Court of Appeal seeking to prevent Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s arrest in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) , the respondents were IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya, Director CID Shani Abeysekara, OIC Special Investigation Unit CID Madhawa Gunawardena and Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe , Jr, PC.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, while acknowledging that a travel ban has been imposed on him, assured the Court of Appeal that he wouldn’t leave the country even if it was lifted and to fully cooperate with the investigations.
Claiming that he didn’t know of any other person than one Azad Moulana, seeking asylum in Switzerland, making allegations against him, Gotabaya Rajapaksa also explained to the court of the hatred the second respondent SSP Abeysekara could harbor against him over his removal from the position of Director CID as a result of accusations that he falsified evidence to fit a constructed narrative to secure prosecution over discovery of cache of weapons from the residence of a private individual in Nedimala.
A meeting between UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche and Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi was held on Monday (07) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Particular attention was given to the Government’s programme to resettle people who lost their homes due to Cyclone Ditwah.
The Government’s programme to address potential disasters that may arise in the future amid El Nino conditions was also discussed. The Chief of Staff to the President briefed the UN Resident Coordinator on the Government’s preparedness and plans to address such challenges.
Mr Franche stated that the United Nations was prepared to provide the necessary assistance to the Government to support the successful implementation of these programmes.
Partnerships and Development Finance Specialist at the United Nations Azam Bakeer Markar and UN Sri Lanka Humanitarian and Resilience Officer Wagisha Perera also participated in the discussion.
[President’s Media Division]
[ Cricbuzz]
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.
INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.
The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.
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