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YouTuber arrested over “blasphemous” remark after MPs demand action

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ECONOMYNEXT –Popular Sri Lankan YouTuber Sepal Amarasinghe, who is in the eye of a storm over a remark he had made about the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha, has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).A police statement said on Friday January 06 that Amarasinghe was arrested in Colombo Thursday night.

The statement said that it has been “observed” that the suspect had committed an offence by insulting the tooth relic and by acting in a manner derogatory to Buddhism.Police said he was taken into custody in order to carry out further investigations, which will be conducted by the CID.

The statement was not more forthcoming.Sri Lanka’s parliamentarians across the aisle condemned Amarasinghe’s statement, with many MPs demanding legal action against him.An activist and popular YouTuber, Amarasinghe is known for being a freethinker and non-believer.

Amarasinghe’s YouTube channel has nearly 80,000 subscribers and the outspoken man, instantly recognisable from his voluminous grey beard, is well known on social media for his unorthodox views that challenge what he claims are parochial traditions and customs. He is also known for his biting, unfiltered political commentary and his tendency to take on religious extremists of all faiths.

A recent video of his appears to have drawn the ire of Sri Lankan government and opposition legislators alike, who accused Amarasinghe of using derogatory and inflammatory language to describe the tooth relic, an object venerated by millions of voters.



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Maintaining public trust is a fundamental responsibility of the Police Department – President

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Attending the passing out parade of the 82nd batch of the Special Task Force (STF) at the Katukurunda STF Training Camp in Kalutara on Monday (07), President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized the need for a progressive transformation within the Sri Lanka Police to ensure the rule of law, order and authority.

The President noted that the public places its trust in the Sri Lanka Police to uphold the supremacy of the law and maintaining that trust is a fundamental responsibility of the Police Department.

Addressing the newly commissioned officers, President Disanayake stated that how one serves and respects their profession is reflected in their career and urged the officers to embrace their professional duty in a way that contributes meaningfully to the transformative change the country requires.

Highlighting the current state of institutional breakdown in many sectors, the President pointed out that the people have already initiated change by altering the political authority, but reiterated that political transformation alone is insufficient. Instead, a comprehensive and positive transformation across all sectors is necessary for national progress.

The President further emphasized that new police officers carry the responsibility of meeting public expectations. He called on them to ensure public safety and security and to prevent the nation from falling prey to organized crime and drug-related issues.

He also stated that the younger generation must take responsibility for the motherland, bearing that duty on their shoulders and should strive to steer both their personal future and the future of the country in a positive direction.

President Disanayake concluded by saying that joining the regular service of the Sri Lanka Police today should be remembered by all as a significant and powerful step forward.

The President further noted that the service rendered by the Special Task Force (STF) on behalf of the public during times of emergency and disaster is highly commendable.

A total of 118 newly recruited Sub-Inspectors and 231 Probationary Police Constables who successfully completed their basic training graduated during the ceremony.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake awarded certificates and honours to officers who demonstrated exceptional performance during the training programme.

A commemorative token was also presented to President Disanayake, who attended the ceremony as the Chief Guest.

An operational demonstration by STF officers on a simulated battlefield was presented as part of the event.

Established in 1983 under the theme “Victory is Certain”, the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force is currently recognized as a prestigious unit deployed for VIP protection, crime and organized crime suppression and narcotics control efforts aimed at building a drug-free nation.

The ceremony was attended by Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne, Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya, STF Commanding Officer Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Samantha de Silva, along with other senior police officers, the parents of graduating officers and other invitees.

[PMD]

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Submission of gazette notifications for the concurrence of the Parliament.

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The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to submit the following notification / order / rule published in the government gazette notification to the Parliament for its concurrence:

• Notification on the revision of tax limit of luxury on motor vehicles under the Finance Act No. 35 of 2018 published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2421 / 41 dated 31.01.2025.

• Rule issued under the Production Levy (Special Provisions) Act No. 13 of 1989 on revision of production levy rate for vehicles operated with electricity published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2421 / 42 dated 31.01.2025

• Order issued under the Finance Act No. 25 of 2003 on extension of the period on which the 50% relief is active which is given to the deviation levy published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2421 / 30 dated 31.01.2025

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Cabinet approval to prepare new Act for securing the rights of plant species

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Although there are legal provisions for the right to publish, technical planning, right of patent, trademarks and enterprises etc, in the Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003, there are no provisions for securing the rights of plant species (relevant to breeders, researchers and farmers).

In addition, no patents can be issued for flora and fauna according to the provisions of the intellectual rights act. Therefore, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 22.05.2024 to introduce a new act for securing the rights of plant species.

Wherefore, the Legal Draftsman has pointed out that policy approval of the new Cabinet of Ministers should be taken to complete the drafting of the new flora species rights securing act.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposals submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation for the preparation of the said draft bill.

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