News
State Minister Diana’s citizenship issue: Website launched to educate public
Court ruling on Oct 18
Civil society activist Oshala Herath yesterday (21) said that he had launched a special website (www.dianagamage.info) to inform the public of his case against State Minister Diana Gamage over the citizenship issue.
One-time head of New Media an outfit established by yahapalana President Maithripala Sirisena emphasized the importance of winning public support to pressure the powers that be to take corrective measures.
The Court of Appeal will deliver its verdict on Oct. 18 in respect of the petition filed against the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List MP. Gamage, who switched her allegiance to the ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa soon after being appointed one of the seven SJB National List MPs following the last parliamentary poll conducted in Aug 2020.
The petition sought the annulment of Gamage’s NL seat on the basis of her being a British citizen.The Court of Appeal three-judge-bench comprising Justice (President)
Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne, Justice K.K.A.V. Swarnadhipathi and Justice M.A.R. Marikkar on Sept. 14 announced that the judgment in respect of this petition would be delivered on Oct. 18. The parties were directed to file their written submissions before October 4.
SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara is the fourth respondent in the unprecedented case. Herath said that public response was vital and the media, including social media, could play a significant role in efforts to address such issues.
Earlier the Court of Appeal dismissed petitioner’s request for a fuller bench of five justices of the Court to determine State Minister Diana Gamage’s citizenship matter. The appeal has been made in terms of Article 140 of the Constitution.
At the onset, the first time entrant to parliament was accused of holding British and Sri Lankan dual citizenships. However, counsel for petitioner Herath and fourth respondent Maddumabandara, Hafeel Farisz and Farman Cassim, PC, respectively, told the Court that the Controller General of Emigration and Immigration in his affidavit admitted the fact that his department has not issued a citizenship certificate to Diana Gamage though she claimed to have relinquished her British citizenship.
Shavindra Fernando, PC, who appeared for State Minister Gamage moved the court to dismiss the petition as it was contrary to the Court of Appeal rule 3(1)(a) of 1990. The counsel argued that the petitioner relied on a statement given by the lawmaker to the CID which he said was inadmissible in accordance with the Evidence Ordinance (SF)
The High Court has convicted 14 of the 24 men accused of being directly involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people.
The three-judge bench read out its decision on Tuesday after a five-year trial and said sentencing would take place later, the AFP news agency reported.
The charges included murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
Nine others were acquitted, while another defendant was found guilty of only some of the charges, the court said.
[Aljazeera]
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The ruling NPP yesterday (21) dismissed claims of a widening rift, within the government, over the proposed 22nd Amendment. Asked whether the NPP was concerned over a section of the Opposition alleging Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and two dozen MPs taking a view contrary to that of the party in this regard, authoritative party sources said some persons were propagating speculation for their own interest.
Declaring that there was absolutely no issue regarding the controversial Amendment, sources emphasised once it was tabled in Parliament, it would be passed with 2/3 majority.
Sources dismissed claims that out of its 159-member parliamentary group a section of NPPers was opposed to the government move. According to an influential Opposition activist, there are 57 JVPers and 66 NPPers in the government group and the rest contested the last parliamentary polls, having aligned with the JVP.
Ministerial sources told The Island that the government was confident of going ahead with the 22nd Amendment and Judicature (Amendment) Bills. Sources said that the NPP was not bothered about the Opposition protests in and outside Parliament.
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne is expected to disclose the confidential ruling that he received from the Supreme Court in respect of more than 65 petitions for and against the 22nd Amendment and Judicial Amendment Bills. The enactment of the 22nd Amendment would pave the way for extending the retirement age of Supreme Court judges, from 65 to 67 years, and Court of Appeal judges, from 63 to 65 years.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Court of Appeal Judge Mayadunna Sri Mevan Anthony Edirimannasuriya Corea as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.
The appointment has been made as President’s Counsel Nalin Rohantha Abeysuriya, who currently serves as President of the Court of Appeal, will be overseas until the 24th.
Accordingly Justice Mayadunna Corea was sworn in as Acting President of the Court of Appeal before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential secretariat last morning (21).
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present at the occasion.
High Court convicts 14 over deadly Easter bombings
Mandhana, Shafali and Ghosh lead dominant India to Asian Games gold
Fatima Sana and Umm-e-Hani secure bronze for Pakistan in Asian Games
India bat first in Asian games womens cricket final
Showers about 100mm will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara Districts
Govt. confident of 2/3 majority despite NPP split speculation
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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