News
Bar Association complains of spike in arbitrary acts by authorities
The Executive Committee of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), on Friday (05) observed a rise in arbitrary arrests and criminal activity in recent times. The BASL, in a statement, said the legal system provides for investigation, inquiry, trial, and punishment by proper authorities which is the base of democracy and the Rule of Law, and the credibility and transparency of such process must be diligently and fiercely preserved.
Given below is the statement in full: “The BASL firmly condemns the regrettable shooting incident that transpired in Weligama, resulting in the tragic demise of a Police Sergeant and the injury caused to a Sub Inspector from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).
“This incident purportedly occurred within the context of an operation aimed at apprehending a group allegedly engaged in illicit drug activities.
BASL underscores the utmost significance of adhering to due process and upholding the rule of law.
“The police raids, including the demolition of property carried out without valid search warrants and/or valid search orders, whilst flagrantly violating established legal protocols, render them unlawful.
“Such actions not only undermine the bedrock principles of justice, but also erode public confidence in the integrity of law enforcement agencies.
“In terms of Article 13 (4) of the Constitution, no person shall be punished with death or imprisonment except by order of a competent court.
“Hence, even a convicted criminal has a right not to be arbitrarily deprived of his life except in accordance with procedure established by law.
“The prospect of extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests presents a deeply disconcerting opportunity for the abuse of power.
“Our collective legacy will harshly judge us if we remain silent in the face of such grave transgressions. It is imperative that the authorities act in full accordance with the law, ensuring that justice is served for both the victims and the accused parties involved.
“Moreover, we express deep concern over recent statements made by the Minister of Public Security, which implicate certain lawyers as conspirators with drug offenders.
“The absence of police accountability and the grant of unchecked impunity create an environment where no individual can feel secure. BASL underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and the protection of the rights of all individuals engaged in legal proceedings.
“In light of these disconcerting developments, BASL calls upon the authorities to promptly rectify these issues, hold the responsible parties accountable, and restore public trust in the justice system.
It is only by steadfastly upholding the principles of due process and ensuring the primacy of the rule of law that we can establish a society that is equitable and just for all its members.”
The Promotion of Export Agriculture Act, No. 46 of 1992 provides the legal provisions for regulating and promoting the export agriculture sector in this country.
Taking into consideration administrative changes and sectoral developments that have taken place over time, approval was granted at the Cabinet Meetings held on 2023-09-04 and 2025-08-11 to amend the said Act, which has not been updated for over 30 years.
The proposed amendments are intended to amend the designations of the Head of the Department of Export Agriculture and other officials, and to provide a clearer definition of the term “the export agricultural crop.”
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to publish in the Government Gazette the Draft Export Agriculture Promotion (Amendment) Bill, prepared in all three languages by the Legal Draftsman to amend the Export Agriculture Promotion Act, No. 46 of 1992, and thereafter submit the same to Parliament for its concurrence
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Ms. M.K.D.N. Madampe, appointed as Director General of the Department of Management Services
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, to appoint Ms. M.K.D.N. Madampe, an officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service in the Special Grade who is currently serving as an Additional Director General of the Department of Management Services, to the post of Director General of the Department of Management Services with immediate effect.
News
Cabinet approves collaboration agreement between Sri Lanka and Brazil for the implementation of the “Sugarcane Project in Sri Lanka”
At present, approximately 90% of the country’s sugar requirement is met through imports, resulting in a considerable expenditure of foreign exchange. Therefore, the necessity of obtaining international technological assistance for overcoming the loopholes and challenges existing in the local sugarcane
sector has been identified.
Taking that situation into consideration, the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development of Sri Lanka, the Sugarcane Research Institute, and the National Science Foundation, together with the Brazilian Cooperation Agency and the Federal University of São Carlos, have planned to implement a project titled the “Sugarcane Project in Sri Lanka.”
Through the proposed project, it is expected to obtain the expertise and experience possessed by Brazil, as a global leader in sugarcane production, for the purposes of increasing sugarcane yield and sugar production in Sri Lanka, enhancing the technical capacity of stakeholders through training and
knowledge exchange, promoting value addition and the efficient utilization of by-products, and strengthening institutional capacity within the sugar production sector.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development to implement the proposed project over a period of 36 months under the framework of
the Technical Cooperation Agreement signed between the two countries in 2008.
Amendment to the Promotion of Export Agriculture Act, No. 46 of 1992 to be gazatted
Ms. M.K.D.N. Madampe, appointed as Director General of the Department of Management Services
Cabinet approves collaboration agreement between Sri Lanka and Brazil for the implementation of the “Sugarcane Project in Sri Lanka”
Cabinet approval for Implementation of a Project for the Joint Exchange of Genetic Resources between Sri Lanka and Vietnam and the Development of High-Yielding and Salinity-resilient Rice Varieties.
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