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AKD’s reference to impending court ruling:Opp. complains to CJ

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A section of the Opposition and some civil society activists have raised President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s May Day reference, to a ruling to be delivered in a high profile corruption case, with Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena.

Among the signatories to the petition are former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prof. G. L. Peiris, and M.A. Sumanthiran, PC. On behalf of the SJB, Dayasiri Jayasekea has signed the petition.

Text of the petition: “We wish to bring to your notice a very serious development relating to the independence of the judiciary.

During his May Day speech in Maharagama, His Excellency Anura Kumar Dissanayake stated, with regard to a pending case, that the hearing had taken place on the previous day and that the judgment would be delivered on 25th May. He exhorted his listeners to be prepared to greet the judgment with warm applause.

We are aghast at this statement which has the most significant implications for the integrity of the judiciary and the separation of powers which are cornerstones of the Constitution of our country.

Many issues arise.

The President purports to have previous knowledge of a judgment yet to be delivered. It is a fundamental principle of our constitutional system that justice must not only be done, but must manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.

Once the hearing is concluded, the duty of the judge is to assess the evidence and to arrive at his conclusion in accordance with the law. His conscience is his only guide. It would be preposterous for the judge to discuss his judgment, prior to delivery, with any third party. Whether the judgment would have the effect of pleasing a third party to the extent of inducing him to urge reception of the judgment with applause is a totally irrelevant, and indeed grossly improper, consideration. This has the clear potential to undermine public confidence in the judicial system, a matter fraught with the most far-reaching consequences. There appears to us no doubt that this preposterous statement represents a contempt of court.

To put it at its lowest, this is a despicable attempt to bring pressure to bear on a judge in relation to a case being heard before him. The gravity of the situation is enhanced by the fact that the pressure emanates from no less than the Executive President of the Republic. It seems to us intolerably unfair to submit a judge to pressure of this intensity, exercised at this level, in respect of the performance of his official duties. It cynically erodes the foundations of our legal culture and values.

One of the few institutions in our country still enjoying the esteem of the public at large is the Judiciary. It is our firm resolve to do all in our power, collectively and within the framework of a functioning democracy, to protect the Judiciary from vicious assaults of this kind.

We wish to bring these circumstances, with due deference, to Your Lordship’s notice for action which you may consider appropriate in respect of this distressing situation.

We attach to this letter a video of the relevant portion of the speech by His Excellency.”



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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura

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The National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Kalutara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura effective from 0400hrs on 12th June 2026 to 0400hrs on 13th June 2026

Accordingly,
LEVEL I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Palindanuwara in the Kalutara district, Doluwa in the Kandy district, Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya district and Pelmadulla, Ayagama, Ratnapura, Godakawela, Kalawana and Nivitigala in the Ratnapura district

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Wife, counsel seek regular access to ex-Spy Chief Sallay held under President’s detention order

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Suresh Sallay

Wife of former State Intelligence Chief Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Suresh Sallay has asked CID Director retired SSP Shani Abeysekera to allow her, her family members and lawyers to visit her husband in the National Hospital, Colombo. Sallay’s counsel has also written to Abeysekera, asking for permission to visit the former spy held on a detention order signed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The text of Manori’s letter: “I respectfully request your assistance in granting me, and my daughter or alternatively my son, permission to visit my husband, Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is currently at the National Hospital, Colombo.

“As you are aware, my husband is presently engaged in a fast-unto-death campaign. His physical condition and emotional well-being are of deep concern to our family. During this difficult period, the presence and support of his immediate family are extremely important to him.

“I firmly believe that regular visits from me with our daughter or our son would help uplift his spirits, provide him with much-needed emotional strength, and may encourage him to reconsider continuing this course of action. Family support can play a vital role in preserving his mental and emotional health while he remains hospitalised.

“In view of these exceptional circumstances, I kindly request that permission be granted for either me and my daughter or my son to visit him daily during the period of his hospitalisation.

“I would be most grateful for your compassionate consideration of this request.”

“The text of the counsel’s letter: “I write in my capacity as Counsel for Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is presently under detention and admitted to the National Hospital, Colombo.

As you are aware, Major General Sallay has embarked on a fast-unto-death campaign, giving rise to serious concerns regarding his physical and mental well-being. In these circumstances, it is imperative that I be granted reasonable and regular access to my client during his hospitalisation.

As his legal representative, I have a professional obligation to monitor his condition and obtain instructions from him so that I may accurately apprise the relevant courts of his health status and any developments affecting his rights and welfare. Effective legal representation requires continuous communication with my client, particularly in light of the grave circumstances presently confronting him.

I also wish to respectfully highlight that Major General Sallay has placed explicit trust and confidence in me as his counsel. Indeed, I was the first person he contacted following his arrest.

Given the trust he reposes in me, I believe I am uniquely positioned to engage with him constructively and persuade him to discontinue this campaign and instead place his confidence in the legal remedies and judicial processes available to him.

For these reasons, I respectfully request that I be granted permission to visit my client on a daily basis during the period of his hospitalization.

Such access would not only facilitate the discharge of my professional responsibilities but may also contribute meaningfully towards safeguarding his health and encouraging a resolution through lawful and institutional means.

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CIABOC summons Yoshitha over his participation in British Navy training programme

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Yoshitha

Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who served as a Lieutenant in the Sri Lanka Navy, has now been summoned to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption next Tuesday (16) for questioning over his participation in a Royal Navy training programme in the United Kingdom outside established procedures.

The Commission is expected to record statements in relation to several complaints received regarding his recruitment and subsequent service in the Navy after he enlisted on December 14, 2006.

According to sources, the investigation focuses on allegations concerning the educational qualifications considered at the time of his enlistment, as well as foreign training opportunities he is said to have received while in service, which are suspected to have been granted in violation of due process.

The Bribery Commission has launched the inquiry under the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act, officials said.

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