News
JVP vows to pursue criminal proceedings against those faulted for Easter attacks under their future govt.
By Saman Indrajith
The JVP-led NPP has issued a Charter regarding the Easter Sunday terror attacks, vowing to pursue legal action against individuals already deemed guilty by the courts, and promising criminal proceedings against those identified for their involvement in the attacks.
Addressing a press conference held at the JVP headquarters in Pelawatte, NPP National Executive Committee Member Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala said that to expect criminal proceedings against under any other government except from NPP was not realistic as all other parties, included those with criminal liability on their part over the attacks.
Watagala said that there were some who have already been identified for their failure to prevent the attacks by the courts as well as by several other commissions. None of them are being prosecuted for their criminal liability. At the Fundamental Rights violation case, the Supreme Court in a landmark verdict held that former President and Defence Minister Maithripala Sirisena, former Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Hemasiri Fernando, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara, former State Intelligence Service Director and incumbent Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena, the former Chief of National Intelligence and DIG Sisira Mendis have violated fundamental human rights by not preventing the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 2019.
“The commissions that investigated the attacks have recommended criminal proceedings against many including the members of the Cabinet at the time. Then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe could get an exemption as he has presidential immunity. Incumbent opposition leader Sajith Premadasa was also in the same cabinet at the time. His party’s General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara was the then Minister in charge of police. They too are criminally liable. In this Charter we pledge criminal proceedings against all politicians as well as officials already found responsible for this crime,” Watagala said, adding that no other party could prosecute all responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks.
The NPP Charter comprising seven sections state that in addition to those who had been identified and named by the high-level commissions of inquiry, there are evidence that some more have been left out on technical grounds and a special commission of inquiry would be appointed under an NPP government so that the matter would be cleared once and for all.
“Given the fact that authorities submitting a Presidential Commission of Inquiry report without over 1,5000 pages of it to the Church, and former President Sirisena going on making irresponsible statements, it could be discerned that for the incumbent authorities the Easter Sunday terror attacks that killed 273 persons and rendering over 500 maimed and disabled has become a joke. Seeking justice from them is similar to the old Sinhala proverbial saying of asking feathers from a tortoise,” Watagala said.
NPP executive council members Upul Kumarapperuma PC, Dr Krishantha Abeysena, Attorney at Law Harshana Nanayakkara and Dr Vijith Rohan Fernando of the Department of Christian Affairs of the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Kelaniya also addressed the press.
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
-
Features4 days agoSAITM Graduates Overcome Adversity, Excel Despite Challenges
-
Business7 days agoJohn Keells Properties and MullenLowe unveil “Minutes Away”
-
News4 days agoDestined to be pope:Brother says Leo XIV always wanted to be a priest
-
Sports4 days agoASBC Asian U22 and Youth Boxing Championships from Monday
-
Foreign News5 days agoMexico sues Google over ‘Gulf of America’ name change
-
Opinion7 days agoRatmalana: An international airport without modern navigational and landing aids
-
Opinion4 days agoDrs. Navaratnam’s consultation fee three rupees NOT Rs. 300
-
Features3 days agoChampioning Geckos, Conservation, and Cross-Disciplinary Research in Sri Lanka