News
Twenty Lankans rescued from Myanmar cybercrime camps return
Twenty Sri Lankans, rescued from a cyber slave camp in Myanmar, arrived back in Sri Lanka on Friday morning (6), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Previously, on August 15th, another group of 20 Sri Lankan nationals, held captive in cybercrime camps in the Myawaddy area of Myanmar, were also rescued. These individuals were safely transferred to Thailand, where they were placed under the custody of Thailand’s Department of Immigration.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Thailand, Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, visited Mae Sot, Thailand, on August 15th to check on the welfare of the rescued Sri Lankans, according to ministry sources.
Of the 56 Sri Lankans trapped in cybercrime camps in Myawaddy, eight were initially rescued by Myanmar authorities in early March and were repatriated to Sri Lanka on April 18, 2024. However, approximately 34 Sri Lankans remain in captivity. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its missions in Yangon and Bangkok, is actively working with relevant governments to secure their release.
These individuals had travelled to Myanmar seeking overseas employment but failed to follow proper procedures. They entered the country on tourist visas, were lured into cybercriminal activities, and became victims of human trafficking. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged the public to exercise caution and follow appropriate procedures when seeking employment abroad to avoid becoming victims of human trafficking.
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
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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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