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No eyewitnesses, but suspects in remand for three years – defence counsel

Published

4 years ago

2021/12/27

Attacks on Buddha statues case before Kegalle Trial at Bar

The accused in the case pertaining to attacks on some Buddha statues at Mawanella are completing three years in state custody, though there is not a single eyewitness who had seen any of the accused in this case attacking any of the Buddha statues. They are in remand custody without the availability of any judicial recourse to bail under the draconian provisions of the PTA, in violation of the principles laid down in the 2006 Supreme Court case of Sumanadasa and 205 others vs Attorney General.

President’s Counsel, M M Zuhair, made these submissions Thursday (23) before the three-member Kegalle Trial at Bar, before whom 16 accused stand indicted for causing damage to Buddha statues in Mawanella and other places. 45 suspects arrested in connection with the alleged attacks in Didulwatta, Mawanella on 26th December 2018, are in remand custody, 16 of whom have been indicted before the Trial-at-Bar hearing the case.

The Kegalle High Court Trial-at-Bar comprising H C Judges Jagath Kahandagamage (Chairman), Jayaki de Alwis and Indrika Kalingawansa heard submissions that the accused who are in State custody for nearly three years be enlarged on bail and to ensure a fair trial.

We have filed a record in this case, a list of 44 cases of attacks on objects of religious worship in the country, giving the names, places and dates of such attacks. Twenty of these attacks were in 2018, before the reprehensible Didulwatte attack. Of these 20 attacks 18 were against several Mosques, 1 against a Buddha Statue and 1 against a Hindu Kovil, all in 2018 prior to the Mawanella, Didulwatta attack in December 2018.

Zuhair PC asked how the Attorney General selected, out of a large number of similar incidents in the country involving accused mostly belonging to the majority community, only the case allegedly involving minority Muslims to be indicted under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act in the High Court and that too at a Trial-at-Bar.

The list shows, he said, nearly 58 persons were arrested, all from the majority community for the attacks on the 18 Mosques and the Malmaduwa Buddha statue in Kegalle, all of which preceded the Didulwatte incident, but all 58 suspects were soon enlarged on bail, unlike in this case.

Similarly, the list filed with the written submissions for bail in this case shows 24 attacks in 2019 and 2020 on objects and places of religious worship. 118 suspects were arrested and all of them bailed. Two of these cases were referred by Courts to Mediation Boards and settled.

None of these attacks were investigated under the PTA or prosecuted under the PTA. It is disturbing, he said, that the Attorney General has not consented to bail under the PTA for these persons in custody for three years. This is a clear case of discrimination, unequal treatment before the law and unequal protection of the law contrary to Article 12(1) and 12(2) of the Constitution. How can there be then a ‘fair trial’, a fundamental right required to be ensured by this Court by Article 13 of the Constitution? This Court is obliged not to permit the violation of the fundamental rights of the accused. This Court is mandated by Article 4 of the Constitution to “respect, secure and advance” compliance with the fundamental rights of the citizens, Zuhair PC said.

The accused in this case are also in remand without a valid judicial order contrary to the judgment of the Supreme Court in Weerawansa vs Attorney General, the President’s Counsel submitted further.

Senior State Counsel Wasantha Perera submitted that this is a case in which the accused had been conspiring over a period of time at different places in the country and that the attack had been carried out in furtherance of that conspiracy and that he objects to the accused being granted bail as the trial dates have now been scheduled. The High Court Trial-at-Bar reserved order on the application for bail.

Sasika Perera for the 3rd, 4th and 14th Accused raised a preliminary objection to the Indictment that certain counts in the Indictment were not in conformity with the Code of Criminal Procedure Act as there were more than three incidents covering a period of more than one year and that the Indictment in the present form cannot be maintained in law. Court reserved order on the objection for 23/02/2022.

SSC Wasantha Perera with SC Harindra Jayasinghe, SC Udara Karunatilake and SC Sajin Bandara appeared for the prosecution.

M M Zuhair PC with M C M Muneer, M I M Naleem and Rizwan Uvais appeared for the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 12th, 13th and 16th Accused. Sashika Perera with M Mubeen appeared for the 3rd, 4th and 14th Accused. Sampath Hewapathirana with Avdan Singh appeared for the 15th accused. Gazzali Hussain with Thushari Warapitiya appeared for the 9th Accused. Rushdhie Habeeb with M Imtiaz appeared for the 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th and 11th accused as Counsel assigned by the State.

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Heat index likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Eastern provinces and Monaragala district

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/12

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 3.30 p.m. on 11 April 2026, valid for 12 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on the 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 Monaragala district.

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.

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Sun directly overhead Cheddikulam, Kebithigollewa, Gomarankadawala and Nilaveli about 12:11 noon. today [12]

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/12

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (12th) are Cheddikulam, Kebithigollewa, Gomarankadawala and Nilaveli about 12:11 noon.

News

CEB orders temporary shutdown of large rooftop solar systems

Published

15 hours ago

2026/04/12

Thilina Walpola

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has directed owners of large-scale rooftop solar systems to temporarily disconnect their installations for a 10-day period beginning from Friday (April 10), citing growing concerns over grid stability amid low electricity demand and high solar generation.

The directive applies to rooftop solar systems exceeding 300 kW capacity, which are required to remain switched off until April 20. The move coincides with the extended holiday season, during which national electricity demand typically declines, alongside prevailing sunny weather conditions that significantly increase solar output.

Senior electrical engineers told The Island that the decision, though exceptional, was necessitated by operational risks posed to the national grid.

“We are seeing a pronounced imbalance between supply and demand,” a senior CEB system control engineer said. “With industries and commercial establishments operating at reduced levels during the holidays, demand drops. At the same time, solar generation remains high, creating excess power that the grid struggles to absorb.”

He explained that such imbalances could lead to fluctuations in system frequency, potentially threatening the stability of the grid. “If generation exceeds demand, frequency rises beyond acceptable limits.

This can trigger automatic protection mechanisms or, in extreme cases, lead to partial outages.”Another senior engineer attached to the transmission division noted that managing distributed solar generation remains a technical challenge.

“Unlike conventional power plants, rooftop solar systems are not centrally dispatchable. We cannot directly control their output in real time. This limits our ability to balance the system during periods of excess generation,” he said.

He added that the country’s grid infrastructure is still adapting to the rapid growth of renewable energy. “We lack sufficient large-scale battery storage and advanced grid management systems to effectively handle these fluctuations. Until such capabilities are enhanced, temporary curtailment becomes necessary.”

Engineers also pointed out that conventional thermal plants cannot be abruptly shut down or adjusted to compensate for sudden surges in solar generation.

“These plants require minimum stable operating levels. When solar floods the grid during low demand, it creates operational constraints that are not easy to manage,” one official said.

The CEB, in its statement, expressed appreciation for the cooperation of solar system owners affected by the measure, stressing that it is a short-term intervention aimed at ensuring uninterrupted and stable electricity supply across the country.

Energy experts say the development underscores the urgent need for grid modernization, including investment in battery energy storage systems, smart grid technologies, and improved demand-side management.

“This is part of the transition challenge,” an independent analyst noted. “As solar penetration increases, the grid must evolve to become more flexible. Otherwise, curtailment will remain a recurring necessity.”

Despite the temporary shutdown, CEB engineers reaffirmed their commitment to expanding renewable energy.

“Solar power is a key pillar of Sri Lanka’s future energy mix,” a senior engineer said. “But integration must be carefully managed. Grid stability cannot be compromised.”

The temporary disconnection order, which took effect yesterday, marks a critical moment in Sri Lanka’s energy transition—highlighting both the progress made in renewable energy adoption and the technical hurdles that remain.

By Ifham Nizam