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AG not bound by its recommendations, yet to receive report

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5 years ago

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PCoI on Easter Sunday attacks:

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Attorney General Dappula de Livera, PC is not bound by recommendations made by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (P CoI) into the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage, or presidential directives in that regard, according to authoritative sources.

They said that the AG couldn’t under any circumstances initiate legal proceedings until he had received the full PCoI report.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa received the PCoI report on Feb 1. The President’s Office delivered a set of PCoI reports to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Feb 23, a day after the report was presented to the cabinet of ministers. The Island raised the matter with relevant authorities in the wake of a section of the media reporting the PCoI recommending punitive measures against former President Maithripala Sirisena, Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, IGP Pujitha Jayasundera, Chief of State Intelligence Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena, Chief of National Intelligence retired DIG Sisira Mendis and All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader and Samagi Jana Balavegaya MP Rishad Bathiudeen et al over the Easter Sunday carnage.

Sources pointed out that due to the inordinate delay in sharing the PCoI report with the AG, the department hadn’t been able to take preliminary measures required to initiate the proceedings. Sources said that a team of officers would take at least six weeks or more to examine the report before tangible measures could be taken.

With the AG scheduled to retire on May 24, 2021, even if the AG Department received the P CoI it would be quite a tough task to initiate proceedings ahead of retirement, sources said. However, in terms of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution enacted in last October, both the AG and the IGP could receive extensions beyond 60 at the President’s discretion.

 

Dappula de Livera received an Acting appointment as the AG a week after the Easter Sunday carnage whereas his predecessor Jayantha Jayasuriya, PC, was elevated to Chief Justice.

Responding to another query, sources said that the Attorney General two weeks ago requested Secretary to the President for a copy of the P CoI. However, the AG was yet to receive one, sources said. In spite of the AG not receiving a P CoI copy, the AG had instructed the IGP to obtain a copy of the report when he requested the police to complete investigations into the Easter Sunday carnage. The AG issued specific instructions after having examined police files pertaining to the investigations.

The IGP, too, hadn’t received a copy so far though some sections of the report were in the public domain.

Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage displayed at a live political programme on Derana a copy of the P CoI report he received at the cabinet meeting earlier in the day.

Sources said that the Attorney General’s Department couldn’t decide on a course of action in respect of the Easter carnage on the basis of a section of the report. In terms of the Commission of Inquiry Act (Section 24), the AG enjoyed significant powers/authority in respect of investigations; sources said adding that the Department urgently required both the P CoI report and police investigations report. The Attorney General’s Department has raised the delay in receiving a P CoI report amidst the Catholic Church attacking the government over the same issue.

Sources said that ministerial committee appointed to study the P CoI report couldn’t decide on how to proceed with the recommendations and the matter was entirely in the hands of the AG. Sources pointed out that the delay on the part of the government to release the report had received the attention of sections of the international media, including the New York Times. Public Security Minister retired Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera having met Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith at the Bishop’s House on Dec 8, 2020 said that the AG would get a copy of the P CoI report once the President received it. Minister Weerasekera said that the CID had handed over the relevant files after having completed investigations into eight blasts. Referring to the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) report on the Easter Sunday carnage, the former Navy Chief of Staff said that all such documents would have to be brought to one place and considered before initiating legal proceedings. Acknowledging that there could be delays, lawmaker Weerasekera said that on the instructions of the Attorney General a 12-member team of lawyers was working on the case. The minister vowed to expose the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday attacks. Investigations continued while some of those wanted were overseas, the minister said.

The minister acknowledged that the Attorney General couldn’t proceed without the P CoI report. Minister Weerasekera reiterated that once the President received the P CoI report, it would be sent to the Attorney General. The minister said that there were documents two to three feet high that needed scrutiny. The minister assured comprehensive investigation. The minister said that investigations pertaining to eight blasts had been completed and the reports handed over to the AG. However, the Attorney General had found shortcomings in those investigations.


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A sustainable, inclusive and globally competitive tourism industry can be built through close partnerships and collaboration – PM

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14 mins ago

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2026/05/17

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The 13th Edition of Sancharaka Udawa 2026, Sri Lanka’s foremost Travel & Tourism Fair held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre – BMICH, Colombo on Friday [15th May].

Organized by the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), the exhibition was held on 15 and 16 th of May.

The exhibition brought together over 250 exhibitors and 300+ stalls with the participation of more than 100 international agents featuring in B2B meetings, panel discussions , and workshops designed to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

This year’s exhibition welcomed foreign hosted buyers for the first time, creating unprecedented opportunities for local stakeholders to connect with international markets.

During the event, the Prime Minister officially opened the Exhibition Sancharaka Udawa 2026 for the public.

Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister stated that the government’s vision is to build a sustainable, inclusive, and environmentally conscious tourism industry, while emphasizing the need for the sector to adapt to environmental, political, economic, and global challenges. The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of positioning Sri Lanka competitively in the global tourism arena and strengthening the country’s international brand as a unique destination.

Highlighting the importance of developing human capital and capacity within the sector, the Prime Minister underscored the role of ongoing education reforms in preparing young people for future opportunities. The Prime Minister stated that reforms in education should enable young people to access multiple pathways and gain exposure to industries such as tourism. In this regard, closer collaboration between the tourism sector and educational institutions was identified as essential.

The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of strengthening domestic tourism and improving the overall tourism experience.

Emphasizing the future development of the sector, the Prime Minister noted that close partnership and collaboration between the government and the private sector are vital to achieving sustainable progress in the tourism industry.

The opening ceremony was attended by Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Ms. Aruni Ranaraja, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Nalin Jayasundera, President, SLAITO,  Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman, SLTPB/SLTDA and representatives of Diplomatic core, agents and exhibitors.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Prof. Venerable Maha Oya Jinarathana Nayaka Thero conferred the title of Chief Sanghanayaka

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23 mins ago

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2026/05/17

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The official ceremony to present Sannas Patra to Prof. Venerable Maha Oya Jinarathana Nayaka Thero, who was conferred the title of Chief Sanghanayaka of Wellassa, Bintenne and the Eastern Three Provinces, was held on Thursday [14 of May]  at the historic Pothubandhana Rajamaha Viharaya in Bibile, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The ceremony was held under the patronage of the Anunayake of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Dimbulkumbure Vimaladhamma Nayaka Thero. During the ceremony Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya presented the official Sannas Pathraya conferring the title of Chief Sanghanayaka of Wellassa, Bintenne and the Eastern Three Provinces to Prof. Venerable Maha Oya Jinarathana Nayaka Thero.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister stated that the Nayaka Thero, who entered monastic life in 1982, has rendered exemplary service to Buddhism and society for over four decades, setting a model for the entire community. She noted that the contributions made by the Thero by continuing the Sri Saranankara and Sri Saddhatissa Dhamma Schools, as well as the service carried out as the Chief Prelate of the Deegavapi Pirivena, are highly commendable.

The Prime Minister further stated that the humanitarian assistance extended annually by providing educational equipment to hundreds of children is commendable and strengthens the government’s efforts towards realizing educational policies. The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of the venerable Nayaka Thero toward the restoration of the historic Deegavapi Maha Seya and the development of other temples.

The Prime Minister also highlighted that initiatives such as the construction of a Bhikkhu ward at the Ampara Hospital demonstrate selfless dedication of the venerable Thero through actions. The Prime Minister further emphasized that religious leaders who work for the spiritual and social upliftment of the people in historically significant regions such as Wellassa and Bintenne are essential to the country, and that the conferring of this title by the Malwathu Chapter is an honour not only to the Thero but also to the people of those regions.

The occasion was graced by the presence of members of the Maha Sangha representing the three Nikayas, and attended by the Minister Samantha Viddyarathna, Deputy Minister R.M. Jayawardena, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Governor of Uva Province, government officials, and a large gathering of devotees.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Northern provinces and in Anuradhapura, Galle and Matara districts

Published

22 hours ago

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2026/05/16

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WEATHER FORECAST FOR 16 MAY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 16 May 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

According to the today’s latest weather analysis, the low-pressure area located northeast of  Sri Lanka, still persists. The Department of Meteorology is continuously monitoring the behavior, development and path of the system.

Due to the influence of the above system, Showers or thundershowers will occur at times and cloudy skies are expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Northern provinces and in Anuradhapura, Galle and Matara districts. Fairly heavy showers about 75 mm are likely at some places in these areas. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva and Eastern provinces after 1.00 pm.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

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