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AG prevents murder convict from attending Pradeshiya Sabha meeting

Published

6 years ago

2020/10/9

Sahan Weerasooriya

MP Premalal’s parnter in crime not so lucky

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya has recently brought to the notice of Justice Ministry Secretary Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Mayadunne, the absence of rules and regulations pertaining to a convicted prisoner being allowed to attend local government sittings.

Upuldeniya, in a letter dated Oct 5, 2020, having pointed out the lapse on their part and sought Justice Secretary’s advice how to handle a request made by Counsel for Kahawatte Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Mannika Waduge Vajira Darshana Silva, sentenced to death in addition to 47-year prison term over a killing in Kahawatte police area in January 2015.

Silva contested the last Local Government polls in Feb 2018 on Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) ticket.

According to Upuldeniya’s missive, Silva had been remanded at the Welikada prison since July 31, 2020 pending hearing of his appeal against the verdict given by the Ratnapura High Court.

Justice Minister Ali Sabry, PC, told The Island yesterday that the Prisons Chief’s request had been forwarded to the Attorney General.

State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne, who is also the Attorney General’s Coordinating Officer, citing relevant sections of Local Government Statute as well as the Criminal Procedure Code, told The Island that the person concerned was not eligible to take part in local government proceedings whatsoever. She pointed out that the Court of Appeal proceedings had resulted in the suspense of the implementation of death penalty whereas he/she remained disqualified either to participate or vote under any circumstances.

According to the existing laws, a person convicted of murder couldn’t be elected as a member of local government body, participate in proceedings or vote, Jayaratne said.

Legal sources told The Island that Kahawatte PS Chairman Silva had been convicted together with Premalal Jayasekera over the killing of Dodangodage Susil Perera alias Shantha Dodangoda in the run-up to January 8, 2015 presidential election.

In spite of AG’s recommendation, Jayasekera successfully moved the Court of Appeal and was able to take oaths as an MP.

The Ratnapura HC sentenced former Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council member Nilantha Jayakody in addition to Jayasekera and Silva. The then Deputy Minister Jayasekera and a group of persons attacked supporters of common candidate Maithripala Sirisena, while they were engaged in decorating a stage. Sources said that the Attorney General’s opinion as regards Jayasekera and Silva attending Parliament and Pradeshiya Sabha, respectively, similar except in the case of the latter the disqualification is under the local government statute.

Sirisena re-entered parliament from Polonnaruwa on the SLPP ticket at the Aug 2020 general election.

Justice Ministry Secretary Mayadunne told The Island that three committees had been appointed to examine the ways and means of updating existing laws, rules and regulations as part of overall measures to improve the judicial system. Acknowledging the shortcomings pointed out by Commissioner General of Prisons, Mayadunne said that committees headed by Shavindra Fernando, PC (criminal), attorney-at-law K. A. Lasitha Kanuwanaarachchi. (civil) and Kaushalya Nawaratne (commercial) would make recommendations.

Mayadunne explained efforts made by the Justice Ministry to improve and streamline the system.

Commissioner General, Prisons, Upuldeniya, too, acknowledged the urgent need to amend laws, rules and regulations to face the current situation. Upuldeniya said that Kahawatte PC Chairman hadn’t been taken for Thursday, Oct 8 sessions.

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President meets senior officials of the Urban Development Authority

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) was held this afternoon (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The meeting focused extensively on new development projects planned by the Urban Development Authority. The President emphasised the need to ensure that the budgetary allocations made for these projects in the current year are utilised effectively within the same financial year.

Detailed discussions were also held on projects planned to be implemented jointly by multiple institutions, including the importance of holding consultations with all relevant agencies to reach final decisions and the need to clearly define responsibilities for each institution in both implementation and maintenance phases of the projects.

Attention was drawn to key initiatives such as the Kelani River flood control project, water management projects in Colombo city and the Beira Lake restoration project. The need for a dedicated programme for low-income housing in areas such as Ratmalana and Moratuwa was also highlighted. During the discussion, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake underscored the importance of introducing a structured management framework for the effective coordination of certain projects.

Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Eranga Gunasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Senior Professor Kapila C.K. Perera, Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), M.G. Hemachandra and the Heads representing the Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA), Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), National Physical Planning Department (NPPD) and the Condominium Management Authority (CMA) were also present at the meeting.

(PMD)

News

CEAT Kelani Branch Inter-Company Employees’ Union makes donation to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

The Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the Kelaniya Branch of CEAT Sri Lanka has made a financial donation of Rs. 1,148,000.00, a day’s salary of its members to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund established to support the restoration of livelihoods and the rebuilding of areas affected by cyclone Ditwah.

Secretary of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, D.G.S.D. Navaratne, handed over the donation to the Chief of Staff to the President, Prabhath Chandrakeerthi at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (18).

Treasurer of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, Y.P.I.C. Karunathilaka, together with members of the Executive Committee, were also present on the occasion.

(PMD)

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Prime Minister off to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum

Published

6 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed on an official visit to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in several high-level academic and diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of education, development studies, research collaboration, and international partnerships.

As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will meet with Ms.Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education of the United Kingdom, at the UK Department for Education, to discuss areas of cooperation in education and related sectors. She is also expected to meet Ms.Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, for discussions on matters of bilateral interest and cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

In addition, the Prime Minister is expected to meet Ms.Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on the sidelines of the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will attend a public event at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex and she will also take part in the ceremony marking the 60th Anniversary of the Institute of Development Studies. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a session at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford, followed by a question-and-answer session with scholars and students.

The visit is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s engagement with academic institutions, international development partners, and Commonwealth member states, particularly in the areas of education, research, policy dialogue, and capacity building.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]