News

Sirisena’s writ petition to be fixed for hearing today

Published

4 years ago

2022/10/10

Thilina Walpola

Easter Sunday carnage magisterial inquiry:

By AJA Abeynayake

A writ petition filed by former President Maithripala Sirisena challenging the magisterial inquiry and issuance of summons against him in connection with the Easter Sunday attack incidents is fixed to be heard today (10).The Court of Appeal two-judge-bench, comprising Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola, on Friday, fixed the petition for support.

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has issued notice directing former President Maithripala Sirisena to appear in court on 14 Oct., in connection with a private plaint filed on the Easter Sunday attacks.In his petition, the former President is seeking a writ of Certiorari quashing the order made by Colombo Fort Magistrate, on Sept 16, issuing summons on the petitioner.Former President Sirisena has alleged that the Magistrate failed to exercise his discretion properly in deciding to issue summons.

He has further alleged that the Magistrate issued a notice ordering him to appear before Court, taking into consideration the inadmissible evidence and hearsay evidence relating to the Easter Sunday attacks. The Colombo Fort Magistrate, in issuing summons, had failed to judicially evaluate the legal requisites of a Complaint filed by a private individual, prior to the issuance of summons, Sirisena has argued.

Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando and Jesuraj Ganeshan, a victim of Easter Sunday attack, have filed a private plaint before the Magistrate’s Court urging them to take legal action against the former President, under section 298 of Penal Code, for causing deaths by negligence.

The complainants have alleged that former President Sirisena is responsible for causing the deaths of a number of persons by doing any negligent act, not amounting to culpable homicide, since he functioned as the Minister of Defence and the Minister of Law and Order at the time the Easter Sunday attacks took place.Faisz Musthapha PC with Upul Jayasuriya PC, Senior Counsel Jeewantha Jayatillake, Counsel Hafeel Farisz, Keerthi Thilikerathne, Ashan Bandara appeared for the former President.

All News Advertisement

News

Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12

Published

6 hours ago

2026/09/29

Priyan

Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 19.05.2025 to purchase four (04) automated passenger clearance gates for Bandaranayake International Airport.

In addition, it is expected to extend the automated passenger clearance gates facility so far given only to the Sri Lankans
parallel to the e – passport issuance system to be introduced in the year 2027 also to the foreigners who travel to and from this country.

Furthermore, considering also the number of air passengers rapidly increasing with the fast – forwarding business and tourism field, the appropriateness to increase the total automated passenger clearance gates up to twelve (12) in number has been recognized.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers, approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to initiate the procurement and installation of 12
automated passenger clearance gates altogether with the already approved four (04) and another eight (08) automated passenger clearance gates adhering to the formal procurement procedure

News

Draft Bill for amending the Trust Ordinance

Published

6 hours ago

2026/09/29

Priyan

Based on the observations submitted by the Task Force on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing for Terrorism, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 18.12.2024 to amend the Trust Ordinance No. 9 of 1917 including amendments proposed by the Financial
Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been granted for the Trust (Amendment) Draft Bill formulated by the Legal Draftsman.

Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Justice and National Integration
to publish the said draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby, submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.

News

Implementing further relief programme to Public sffected by the Middle East conflict situation

Published

6 hours ago

2026/09/29

Priyan

Action was taken to provide a fuel relief for the fuel consumers during the months of April, May and June of 2026 to redress by minimizing the impact caused to the day today life of the citizens of this country as well as the entire economy due to the price hike of petroleum fuel in the global market resulting from the war situation in the Middle East.

Government mediation is essential for minimizing the impact on the day to today life of citizens in this country due to that war situation not being ended further. Therefore, it has been planned to redress on the sale price for Auto Diesel and Industrial Diesel for a period of 03 months by the Government to provide relief to the public as well as to maintain the prices at a bearable level to the consumers without escalating the fuel prices in this country compared to the escalation of fuel prices
in the international market.

Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to
allocate provisions subject to the monthly limitations respectively as rupees 15 billion for the month of October, rupees 13.5 billion for the month of November and rupees 12.15 billion for the month of December to provide the said relief