The Supreme Court on Thursday granted special leave to appeal to former Deputy Minister Shantha Premaratne, who was sentenced to four years’ rigorous imprisonment for soliciting and accepting a Rs. 50,000 bribe in return for promising employment.

Premaratne, a former United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) politician and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) organiser in the Ampara District, was convicted by the High Court in 2017.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has alleged that Premaratne solicited and accepted money from a party supporter after promising to secure employment for her son-in-law at the CEB.

The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction on November 05, 2024, prompting Premaratne to challenge the ruling before the Supreme Court.

A three-judge bench, comprising Justices Achala Wengappuli, Arjuna Obeyesekere and Gihan Kulatunga, granted special leave to appeal to consider whether the charge in the indictment had been proved at the trial.

Premaratne has maintained that the Rs. 50,000 was a donation for the construction of a party headquarters and not a bribe offered in exchange for employment. He has also alleged that political rivals instigated complaints against him after he lost a party selection contest in June 2008.

The Supreme Court fixed the appeal for argument on March 29, 2027. Attorneys Hafeel Farisz, Prashan Wickramaratne and Sanjeewa Kodithuwakku appeared for Premaratne, while Additional Director General Ruvini Wickramasinghe represented the CIABOC.

Police probe alleged links between officers and cricketer’s brother

Police Headquarters has launched a separate investigation into allegations that several police officers maintained close links with a national cricketer’s brother who is being investigated over alleged connections to organised crime and narcotics trafficking.

The move comes amid growing questions over the delay in arresting the 37-year-old suspect, despite earlier indications by investigators that arrangements were underway to take him into custody.

Police sources said the inquiry would determine whether the officers had assisted the suspect, known as ‘Ratmalane Sangu’, and members of his alleged criminal network, or interfered with ongoing investigations.

There are also allegations that some officers may have destroyed, concealed or caused the loss of evidence that could have helped investigators establish the suspect’s alleged involvement in criminal activities.

Investigators are examining whether any material was deliberately removed or concealed and whether police officers attempted to obstruct or derail investigations into the suspect and his associates.

Meanwhile, investigators have obtained an audio recording of an alleged conversation between the suspect and underworld figure Russell Smith, in which the two are said to discuss firearms-related deals.

The recording is being examined to establish the identities of the speakers, its authenticity and the context of the conversation. Investigators have yet to publicly establish the precise nature of any transactions discussed in the recording.

The suspect, a resident of Mount Lavinia, has previously served prison sentences for violent offences. Investigators are examining his alleged links to several major narcotics traffickers and underworld figures operating locally and overseas.

They are also probing information concerning his alleged role in the movement and distribution of heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis and hashish, as well as possible money-laundering activities.

Police are investigating information linking the suspect to the killing of 57-year-old Jathunga Priyantha near the Ratmalana Airport Junction on August 1.

According to police sources, the inquiry is proceeding on two fronts: establishing the suspect’s alleged involvement in organised criminal activities and determining whether police officers helped him or his associates evade detection or frustrate investigations.

The separate inquiry into the alleged police links is expected to examine communications and financial dealings between the officers, the suspect and his associates, as well as evidence of possible interference in earlier investigations.

Police Headquarters sources said investigators were also reviewing previous evidence and information to determine whether any material had been compromised or deliberately removed.

More than 1,600 students sat this year’s Russian Classical Ballet Examination, the largest number ever to take part in the examination in Sri Lanka. Exams were held in Colombo from 5, to 18, October and in Galle on 10 October.

Students aged four and above came from across the island, including Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Negombo, Matara, Kelaniya, Panadura, Wattala, Kiribathgoda, Ratnapura, Kandy, Kurunegala, Bandarawela and Badulla. They are taught by 15 dedicated teachers trained in the Vaganova method, the renowned Russian system of classical ballet training.

They were examined by  Dr. Oxana Karnovich of the Moscow State Academy of Choreography,  a distinguished academic and curator.

The Russian School of Ballet and Dancing was established in 2001 by  Michael Ustinov, Buddhapriya Ramanayake and Mrs Chandi Aluvihare, with Mrs Galina Pleshakova as its founding instructor. Today the School is led by Director Madam Maria Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka.