News
Rishad acquitted on AG’s instructions
By A.J.A. Abeynayake
Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage yesterday (02) ordered the acquittal of MP Rishad Bathiudeen, named a suspect in a case filed over the Easter Sunday terror attacks. He did so on the instructions of the Attorney General.
The Magistrate issued the order when the magisterial inquiry related to the case was taken up again yesterday.
Bathiudeen was arrested by the CID on 24 April 2021, and remanded under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for over six months until he was granted bail on 14 Oct., 2021 on charges of aiding and abetting the Easter Sunday attackers. Investigations were conducted into the issuance of a licence to the copper factory of Inshaf Ahmed, the bomber who carried out the suicide bombing at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel on 21 April 2019, while Bathiudeen was a minister.
The CID reported to the Colombo Fort Magistrate on 10 Aug., 2021, investigations had revealed that all the expenses related to the Easter Sunday attack had been borne by a copper company called Colossus, owned by the bomber who attacked Cinnamon Grand. The CID said it had also been revealed that the dollars received from abroad to the account of Colossus Company, Pettah, had been transferred to another current account. It was found that the suicide bomber had withdrawn the money from the account by cheques and Rs. 12 million had been found in the possession of the bomber’s wife Ummu Rasina, the CID informed the Court on that day, seeking further detention of Bathiudeen. Following the CID submission, the Fort Magistrate ordered that Bathiudeen be remanded until the end of the trial, regarding the Cinnamon Grand bomber.
Soon after the acquittal, Bathiudeen tweeted: “Gotabaya Rajapaksa came to power accusing me and the entire Muslim community for the Easter Sunday Attacks. They remanded me for 07 months, unjustly under the PTA, and thought that they could win the next elections as well. However, they were chased out by the people of this country, even before completion of the first term, and today with God’s grace, I have been acquitted by the Fort Magistrate Court from all charges in the PTA Case. Truth will win, not immediately but definitely.”
INS Sindhukesari, a submarine serving in the Indian Navy, arrived at the port of Colombo on 03 May 26 to undertake Operational Turnarounds.
The visiting submarine was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in precision with naval traditions.
Throughout its stay in the island, the submarine’s crew is scheduled to participate in a variety of programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, including visits to several tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.
Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, officially visited the Russian House in Colombo to attend the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum, where members of the Sri Lanka Russia Business Council and graduates from the Association of Sri Lankan Graduates from Socialist countries (ASLGSC) attended.
This historic gathering was graced by rectors and representatives from several world-class Russian medical institutions, including Kursk State Medical University, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, and Tver State Medical University, among others.
The forum commenced with an address by Minister Murashko, during which Russian medical graduates in attendance raised pertinent questions regarding medical and pharmaceutical sector opportunities in Sri Lanka.
Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, together with Madam Maria L. Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka & the Maldives and Director of the Russian House in Colombo, graced the occasion. Both officials expressed strong support for continued collaboration and future initiatives between the two nations.
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.
INS Sindhukesari arrives in Colombo
Minister of Health of the Russian Federation attends the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum
Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed
Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm.
CJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News7 days agoTreasury chief’s citizenship details sought from Australia
-
News6 days agoRooftop Solar at Crossroads as Sri Lanka Shifts to Distributed Energy Future
-
News5 days ago“Three-in-one blood pressure pill can significantly reduce risk of recurrent strokes”
-
News7 days agoCentral Province one before last in AL results
-
Sports7 days agoWell done AKD!
-
News2 days agoUSD 3.7 bn H’tota refinery: China won’t launch project without bigger local market share
-
News18 hours agoCJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict
-
News5 days agoAlarm raised over plan to share Lanka’s biometric data with blacklisted Indian firm