News
CA has no jurisdiction over Shihabdeen’s appeal: ASG
By Chitra Weerarathne
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sumathi Dharmawardene, PC yesterday (17) told the Court of Appeal that Gynaecologist of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen, had complained to the Public Services Commission (PSC) that he had not received back wages and certain allowances due to him for a specified period of time.
When the matter was before the PSC, the Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction to consider the Writ of Mandamus filed by Dr. Shihabdeen, regarding his back wages and allowances, ASG told the court.
ASG Dharmawardene explained to the Court of Appeal that according to Articles 58 and 61 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka, a matter before the PSC could not be argued before the Court of Appeal.
Dr. Shihabdeen had been accused of having sterilised women without their consent, at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, the court was told. He had been under interdiction for some time, and later reinstated. The Preliminary Inquiry regarding Dr. Shafi is due on February 19. Dr. Shafi does not want it to be chaired by Dr. Chandana Kandagamuwa, according to his complaint to the PSC.
Sumathi Dharmawardene, PC appeared with State Counsel Medaka Fernando for the state. Faiz Mustapha President’s Counsel with Pulasthi Hewamanne and Faizar Markar, were retained by Dr. Shihabdeen.
This case will be taken up again before the Court of Appeal on March 4.
The Bench comprised Justice Sobitha Rajakaruna.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to award the contract for printing and supplying vehicle number plates for the Department of Motor Traffic for a period of five (5) years to M/s South Asian Technologies based on the recommendations of the High-Level Standing Procurement Committee and the Procurement Appeal Board.
The National Lotteries board has been established subject to the Finance Act No. 11 of 1963. Having identified the requirement of amending that act which was imposed around 62 years to cater the current requirements of the lottery market, the Cabinet of Mnisters at their meeting held on 14.02.2017 granted approval to draft a new bill for the purpose.
Accordingly, the National Lotteries Board has recognized further amendments to be performed to the fundamental draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsmen.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the
resolution furnished by the President in his office as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to direct the Legal Draftsmen to finalize the formulation of the draft bill for the National Lotteries Board as soon as possible including the proposed new amendments as well.
The Werahara office of the Department of Motor Traffic performs issuance of temporary driving licenses in this country based on the driving licenses issued overseas, and measures have been initiated to render the service from a service window of the Department of Motor Traffic established at the Bandaranayake International Airport from 03.08.2025.
The fees charged for issuing temporary driving licenses have been published in Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 prepared under the provisions of the Motor Traffic (Authority 203) Act.
But, as the fee of Rupees 2,000/- charged for the service is not sufficient, the requirement of amending the regulations has been recognized.
The regulations for introducing the revised fees have been published in the government extraordinary gazette
notification No. 2463/04 dated 17.11.2025. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to
submit the regulations to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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M/s South Asian Technologies awarded contract to supply vehicle number plates
A new act for National Lotteries Board to be introduced
Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 to be amended
Mrs. P. K. L. S. Panduwawala appointed to the post of Surveyor General
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