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Professionals’ National Front urges AG to prosecute Rishad forthwith for forest destruction

Published

5 years ago

2020/11/18

Section of the Kalluru Forest Reserve cleared by Bathiudeenax

The Attorney General should immediately take action against SJB MP Rishad Bathiudeen and others as the Court of Appeal, on Monday, determined that the clearing of part of the Kallaru Forest Reserve adjoining the Wilpattu National Park was illegal, Professionals’ National Front (PNF) yesterday said.

PNF General Secretary, Engineer Kapila Renuka Perera said that AG could initiate action under the Criminal Procedure Code and the Penal Code. “Legal action must be taken against everyone involved, including those who failed to carryout their duties. The government must also use this ruling as a precedent and take steps to deter others who desire to misuse natural resources, which belongs to all citizens, for their personal gain.”

About 2,500 acres of forest land had been cleared by Bathiudeen and his associates, Perera said, adding that the court had ordered Bathiudeen to pay for a forest replanting programme, which was to be carried out by the Forest Conservation Department.

The Conservator General of the Forest Department also had to calculate the cost of the tree planting programme and inform Bathiudeen of it within two months of the judgment. Bathiudeen will have to pay within one month.

Perera said: “The Conservator General must calculate the cost within the time given and they must not ask for more time for any reason. The government must also immediately remove the illegal settlers inside Kallaru Reserve and demolish the structures they are occupying. Steps must also be taken to ensure that the welfare of people is met.”

Senior lawyer Ravindranath Dabare, who filed the petition in 2015 on behalf of the Centre for Environmental Justice, challenging the destruction of the forest reserve, on Monday told The Island that the cost of replanting the large swath of forest land would be between Rs. 2 to 3 billion.

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Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed

Published

1 hour ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:

Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage

The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.

The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.

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Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate

Published

2 hours ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

(File pic)

Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).

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CJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict

Published

6 hours ago

2026/05/5

Sahan Weerasooriya

CJ Surasena

‘Bar Association must reveal its stand’

Civil society group ‘Free Lawyers’ has requested Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena to probe whether political pressure was brought on a Magistrate, or a High Court Judge, in respect of an ongoing high profile case.

Speaking to The Island on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said that they felt the urgent need to seek the CJ’s intervention, following the May Day declaration by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the verdict of a case that was heard on 30 April would be given on 25 May. Tennakoon said that addressing the NPP’s main May Day rally at Maharagama, the President asked the people to be ready to celebrate that verdict. The President couldn’t have said so if he hadn’t been aware of the impending verdict, Tennakoon said, while emphasising the responsibility on the part of the Bar Association to state its position on the issue.

‘Free Lawyers’ recently captured pubic attention following its exposure of the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.

Responding to a query, Tennakoon said that on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Maithri Gunaratne, PC, on Monday, 4 April, wrote to both CJ Surasena and President of the Bar Association Rajeev Amarasuriya.

Alleging that President Dissanayake’s declaration caused immense harm to the independence of the judiciary and raised controversy over the judgement that would be given on 25 May, ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation also asked the CJ to inquire into whether the entire judicial process was under political pressure.

Tennakoon said that they expect the Bar Association to reveal its position on President Dissanayake’s statement. Tennakoon pointed out that during the May Day address, President Dissanayake made reference to 15 cases that were to be taken up during this month, whereas Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister, as well as Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake, mentioned nearly 10 names of politicians, both sitting and former lawmakers, to be summoned beginning, May.

Tennakoon said that the NPP appeared to have used May Day to counter growing accusations over the Colombo port container controversy, coal scam, Rs 13.2 bn NDB fraud and theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury and USD 625,000 from the Sri Lanka Postal Service.

By Shamindra Ferdinando