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Petitions against presidential pardon for Gnanasara Thera: SC grants leave to proceed

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… Verdict on release of Royal Park killer due

The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday (04) granted leave to proceed with two Fundamental Rights violation petitions filed against the presidential pardon granted to Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara, the President of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).

President Maithripala Sirisena pardoned the monk on 23 May, 2019. The petitioners are the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and Sandya Ekneligoda, wife of missing Prageeth Ekneligoda, who disappeared on the eve of 2010 presidential election.

The monk was convicted of four contempt of court charges by the Court of Appeal on 08 August, 2018 and sentenced to 19 years rigorous imprisonment, to be completed within six years.

The SC granted leave to proceed with the petitions in terms of Article 12(1) of the Constitution.

The three-judge-bench of the SC comprising Justices S. Thurairaja, Yasantha Kodagoda and Arjuna Obeysekera fixed the petitions for argument on 06 May next year.

In late July this year, the SC concluded hearing and reserved its judgement in the Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging ex-President Sirisena’s decision to grant a pardon to Royal Park murder convict Don. Shramantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha.

The SC announced that its judgement would be issued in due course.

Three-judge-bench of the SC consisting of Justices S. Thurairaja, Yasantha Kodagoda and Janak de Silva concluded the arguments put forward by both petitioner and respondent parties. The parties were to furnish their written submissions before 25 August. The Women & Media Collective organization filed this Fundamental Rights petition.

Jude Anthony Jayamaha was indicted before the High Court by Attorney-General for committing the murder of Yvonne Jonsson (who was 19 years of age at the time), on or about 01 July, 2005, in terms of Section 294 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 296 of the Penal Code. (SF)



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

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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

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Draft Bill for amending the Trust Ordinance

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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.

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

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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

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