News
Series of events organisd to mark Malay contribution to enrichment of Lanka for centuries
Centennial and sesquicentennial anniversaries of SLMA and CMCC
By Saman Indrajith
A series of cultural, sports, literary, commemorative and aesthetic events have been organised by the Sri Lanka Malay Association and the Colombo Malay Cricket Club to mark their centennial and sesquicentennial anniversaries respectively,throughout this year.
“The series of SLMA centenary commemoration is scheduled to be inaugurated on 22 Jan. with the issuance of a first day cover and thereafter it will be marked with several sports tournaments, a symposium, commemorative cricket charity dinner, Malay walk, launch of a coffee table book and commemorative jubilee book. The events are organised to be held throughout the year,” Rilwan Lantra, President SLMA told a press conference held at Padang Complex in Colombo on Tuesday.
He said: “A ‘Pasara Malam,’ a hawker-street styled Malay food festival, along with a Malay cultural show, an event to showcase Lankan Malay lifestyle is scheduled for July. A symposium is scheduled for September where research papers would be presented on contributions made to the nation by Lankan Malays and how they have imbibed well with the national fabric. In October a ‘Malay Rally’, a gathering of the community to promote peace and brotherhood with sports, cultural and various other events will be held. There will be a ‘Heroes Day’ in November as a mark of respect to the fallen Malay heroes and all who sacrificed their lives in the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity of mother Lanka,” Lantra said.
Colombo Malay Cricket Club (CMMC) past President Ibnusha Ally said that interaction and advent of the Malays could be traced as far as back as the Sixth and Seventh Centuries. “They have amalgamated well with the mainstream community, sharing their unique culture and traditions. Today these facets could be seen countrywide, enriching the lifestyles of the populace. Same can be said of its brothers contributing much to the development of the country in academia, corporate business, the tri-forces and police, aesthetics, social services and many other fields. It is a legacy enacted in the pages of history,” Ally said.
CMCC Vice President Hussain Jayah, its General Secretary, Roshan Allang, CMCC President Rizwan Badoordeen, CMCC Captain Rinaldin Rahaman and General Secretary of SLMA Rilwan Careem also addressed the media.
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Wife, counsel seek regular access to ex-Spy Chief Sallay held under President’s detention order
Wife of former State Intelligence Chief Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Suresh Sallay has asked CID Director retired SSP Shani Abeysekera to allow her, her family members and lawyers to visit her husband in the National Hospital, Colombo. Sallay’s counsel has also written to Abeysekera, asking for permission to visit the former spy held on a detention order signed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The text of Manori’s letter: “I respectfully request your assistance in granting me, and my daughter or alternatively my son, permission to visit my husband, Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is currently at the National Hospital, Colombo.
“As you are aware, my husband is presently engaged in a fast-unto-death campaign. His physical condition and emotional well-being are of deep concern to our family. During this difficult period, the presence and support of his immediate family are extremely important to him.
“I firmly believe that regular visits from me with our daughter or our son would help uplift his spirits, provide him with much-needed emotional strength, and may encourage him to reconsider continuing this course of action. Family support can play a vital role in preserving his mental and emotional health while he remains hospitalised.
“In view of these exceptional circumstances, I kindly request that permission be granted for either me and my daughter or my son to visit him daily during the period of his hospitalisation.
“I would be most grateful for your compassionate consideration of this request.”
“The text of the counsel’s letter: “I write in my capacity as Counsel for Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is presently under detention and admitted to the National Hospital, Colombo.
As you are aware, Major General Sallay has embarked on a fast-unto-death campaign, giving rise to serious concerns regarding his physical and mental well-being. In these circumstances, it is imperative that I be granted reasonable and regular access to my client during his hospitalisation.
As his legal representative, I have a professional obligation to monitor his condition and obtain instructions from him so that I may accurately apprise the relevant courts of his health status and any developments affecting his rights and welfare. Effective legal representation requires continuous communication with my client, particularly in light of the grave circumstances presently confronting him.
I also wish to respectfully highlight that Major General Sallay has placed explicit trust and confidence in me as his counsel. Indeed, I was the first person he contacted following his arrest.
Given the trust he reposes in me, I believe I am uniquely positioned to engage with him constructively and persuade him to discontinue this campaign and instead place his confidence in the legal remedies and judicial processes available to him.
For these reasons, I respectfully request that I be granted permission to visit my client on a daily basis during the period of his hospitalization.
Such access would not only facilitate the discharge of my professional responsibilities but may also contribute meaningfully towards safeguarding his health and encouraging a resolution through lawful and institutional means.
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CIABOC summons Yoshitha over his participation in British Navy training programme
Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who served as a Lieutenant in the Sri Lanka Navy, has now been summoned to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption next Tuesday (16) for questioning over his participation in a Royal Navy training programme in the United Kingdom outside established procedures.
The Commission is expected to record statements in relation to several complaints received regarding his recruitment and subsequent service in the Navy after he enlisted on December 14, 2006.
According to sources, the investigation focuses on allegations concerning the educational qualifications considered at the time of his enlistment, as well as foreign training opportunities he is said to have received while in service, which are suspected to have been granted in violation of due process.
The Bribery Commission has launched the inquiry under the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act, officials said.
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