News
Case related to Easter Sunday carnage: Court directs CID not to arrest ex-DMI officer without consulting AG
The Court of Appeal on Tuesday (11) directed the Attorney General and Counsel for Colonel Kelum Maddumage to file any objections to the case, before 11 December, and any counter-arguments before 14 January, 2026, in respect of the writ petition filed by the wartime member of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI).
The court ordered that the petition be called on 29 January, 2026, for further confirmation of facts. The orders were issued when the petition was taken up before the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando.
The Court of Appeal extended until 29 January the interim injunction issued preventing the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) from arresting Maddumage without consulting the Attorney General in connection with the investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks.
The court was informed that a lawyer would be appearing for the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, retired SDIG Ravi Seneviratne, who has been named as a respondent in the case.
Rev. Fr. Rohan Silva, who filed the original plaint related to this investigation, also sought permission to intervene in the case through his lawyer.
President’s Counsel Ali Sabry, appearing for the petitioner, told the court that his client is a senior military intelligence officer and currently serving at the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) in Diyatalawa.
The President’s Counsel said that this petition had been filed only with the aim of preventing the arrest of his client and that he has no intention of hindering the investigations.
Additional Deputy Solicitor General, Suharshi Herath, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, stated before the court that the complete reports, related to this investigation, have been filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) before the Fort Magistrate’s Court. She also stated that investigations related to these incidents are ongoing. (SF)
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday sad that the Executive Presidency would be abolished, in line with the NPP’s election manifesto.
Speaking in Parliament, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the abolition would take place through a proposed new Constitution.
She added that preliminary work on drafting the new Constitution had already begun, with previous committee reports and other proposals being studied to guide the process.
“A concept paper on the draft will be presented to the Cabinet,” Amarasuriya said, noting that a formal study has been initiated on abolishing the Executive Presidency.
She said that the move cannot be implemented without introducing a new Constitution.
Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the suspension of duties imposed on Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
Raising the issue during parliamentary proceedings, Premadasa, who is also the SJB Leader, questioned the decision to suspend the senior medical officer for issuing a statement to the media, particularly on matters relating to children’s medicines.
He said health was a fundamental right and noted that two children had reportedly died, stressing that the focus should be on accountability over the incident rather than penalising a medical professional for speaking out.
Premadasa criticised the authorities for suspending Dr. Bellana solely for communicating with the media, asking whether such action constituted justice for families who had lost their children.The Opposition Leader said silencing officials, who raise concerns, undermines fundamental rights and does not address the underlying issues related to patient safety and public health.
Acting Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital Dr. Rukshan Bellana has been suspended.
A letter, issued by the Ministry of Health, says preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Health has revealed that Dr. Bellana, as a government medical officer holding a responsible position, made statements to the media, without approval, in a manner that created a controversial situation in the country and unrest among the public.
The letter further stated that formal disciplinary action will be taken in due course regarding this matter.
Trump says US launched large-scale attacks on ISIL in Syria
Showers will occur in the Eastern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa district
PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency
Opposition Leader rises in defence of Dr. Bellana
Dr. Bellana suspended for speaking to media
257,000 households paid house cleaning grant of Rs 25,000 out of 493,000 eligible to receive it
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Midweek Review3 days agoHow massive Akuregoda defence complex was built with proceeds from sale of Galle Face land to Shangri-La
-
Features6 days agoWhy Sri Lanka Still Has No Doppler Radar – and Who Should Be Held Accountable
-
News2 days agoPakistan hands over 200 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Lanka
-
News2 days agoPope fires broadside: ‘The Holy See won’t be a silent bystander to the grave disparities, injustices, and fundamental human rights violations’
-
Latest News6 days agoLandslide early warnings in force in the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
-
News3 days agoBurnt elephant dies after delayed rescue; activists demand arrests
-
Features6 days agoSrima Dissanayake runs for president and I get sidelined in the UNP
-
Editorial6 days agoDisaster relief and shocking allegations