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)
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at the White House
Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
Minimum purchasing price of Samba and Kiri Samba paddy increased
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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