News
Justice Minister tables Bill to amend Criminal Procedure Code to introduce pre-trial process to High Courts
By Saman Indrajith
Justice Minister Ali Sabry yesterday presented a Bill for the approval of the House to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, No. 15 of 1979, to introduce a pre-trial procedure to High Courts.
The Bill envisages to provide for pre-trial procedure enabling two disputing parties to negotiate with lawyers in a conference so as to curtail a lengthy trial period. The aim is to ensure that all pre-trial activities are concluded before the case is heard before the trial judge.
To be cited as Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, No. of 2021 the legislation is expected to shorten the trial period or even to bring a resolution to the disputing parties before the case goes to trial.
The Bill says that a “pre-trial conference shall be held- (a) upon indictment being served on the accused in terms of section 195, in the presence of the accused; or (b) where the accused is not present due to any reason specified in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 241, or where it is not possible to serve the indictment on the accused due to the reasons specified in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 241, in the absence of the accused.”
“A pre-trial conference shall be held with the participation of- (a) the Attorney-General with regard to proceedings instituted by the Attorney General or the Director-General for the Prevention of Bribery and Corruption with regard to proceedings instituted by such Director-General, or an officer authorized by either the Attorney General or the Director-General as the case may be; (b) counsel, if any, appearing on behalf of the accused; (c) the aggrieved party or the counsel, if any, appearing on behalf of the aggrieved party, on the application of such aggrieved party or such counsel to participate in the pre-trial conference; (d) the officer in charge for the time being of the police station in which the investigation in respect of the offence has been conducted or an officer representing him; and (e) an Attorney-at-Law or any other officer permitted by the Presiding Judge to participate,” says the Bill.
A pre-trial conference shall be presided over by the High Court Judge or the Recorder Judge.
News
Police officers donate LKR 9,687,462 from day’s salary to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
A sum of LKR. 9,687,462, raised from day’s salary officers of the Police Department, has been donated to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to support the recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to assist in rebuilding the country following the disaster.
To date, officers of the Police Department have contributed over LKR. 74 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund through three such contributions of one day’s salary.
The donation was presented on Wednesday (22) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by the Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police C. C. Bamunuarachchi, to the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Chief Inspector Udaya Kumara, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Secretariat, was also present on the occasion.
[Presidents Media Division]
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 26 April 2026, valid for 27 April 2026.
The 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, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.
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.
News
Opposition asks for PSC to probe Treasury theft
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.
Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.
The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.
The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.
He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.
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