News
Commandos rehearsing for attack: Army assures HRCSL no basis for claim
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) yesterday (17) said it had received an assurance from the Army that it wouldn’t engage in activities contrary to those entrusted in terms of the law.
HRCSL Spokesperson, Nihal Chandrasiri, said so after a delegation of the outfit, on Saturday evening, had visited the Ganemulla Army Commando base following the Frontline Socialist Party’s allegation that the government was planning to deploy the military to suppress the ‘Gota Go Home’ campaign.
FSP’s Duminda Nagamuwa alleged that commandos were rehearsing for an attack on those engaged in the Galle Face protest. Nagamuwa alleged that the government intended to deploy elite troops disguised as protesters.
Chandrasiri, the Acting Director Research and Monitoring, HRCSL said that they had felt the need to act promptly in terms of their mandate and visited the Ganemulla Commando base, where the alleged training was claimed to have taken place.
Responding to The Island queries, Chandrasiri said that he had received a call from the Director, Legal of the Army during their first such visit to a military base. Chandrasiri said that as the HRCSL had the authority to visit any military base in terms of its mandate approval was not sought from Army headquarters before dispatching a team.
Chandrasiri said that the HRCSL had been informed the ongoing training provided to troops at Ganemulla had nothing to do with any move to crush the Galle Face protest.
‘Gota Go Home’ campaign got underway on 09 April after a violent protest outside President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence at Pangiriwatte Road, Mirihana on 31 March.
Chandrasiri said the military or law enforcement authorities couldn’t under any circumstances interfere with the right of the public to engage in peaceful protest.
Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, who is also the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) recently briefed Colombo based diplomatic missions on the Army’s role and that of other services in the wake of organized public protests.
The breakaway JVP faction, FSP is widely believed to be behind the Galle Face protest that has attracted thousands of professionals including professionals. The FSP also launched protests outside Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Wijeyarama residence.
PM Rajapaksa’s Office said that those who had been engaged in the Galle Face protest campaign were yet to respond officially to the PM’s offer to meet them. However, a large banner displayed therein soon after the PM’s statement reiterated the demand for the resignation of both President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Premier Rajapaksa.
The PM’s Office said there was no dispute over the public right to protest though their motives remained questionable.
The High Court has convicted 14 of the 24 men accused of being directly involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people.
The three-judge bench read out its decision on Tuesday after a five-year trial and said sentencing would take place later, the AFP news agency reported.
The charges included murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
Nine others were acquitted, while another defendant was found guilty of only some of the charges, the court said.
[Aljazeera]
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The ruling NPP yesterday (21) dismissed claims of a widening rift, within the government, over the proposed 22nd Amendment. Asked whether the NPP was concerned over a section of the Opposition alleging Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and two dozen MPs taking a view contrary to that of the party in this regard, authoritative party sources said some persons were propagating speculation for their own interest.
Declaring that there was absolutely no issue regarding the controversial Amendment, sources emphasised once it was tabled in Parliament, it would be passed with 2/3 majority.
Sources dismissed claims that out of its 159-member parliamentary group a section of NPPers was opposed to the government move. According to an influential Opposition activist, there are 57 JVPers and 66 NPPers in the government group and the rest contested the last parliamentary polls, having aligned with the JVP.
Ministerial sources told The Island that the government was confident of going ahead with the 22nd Amendment and Judicature (Amendment) Bills. Sources said that the NPP was not bothered about the Opposition protests in and outside Parliament.
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne is expected to disclose the confidential ruling that he received from the Supreme Court in respect of more than 65 petitions for and against the 22nd Amendment and Judicial Amendment Bills. The enactment of the 22nd Amendment would pave the way for extending the retirement age of Supreme Court judges, from 65 to 67 years, and Court of Appeal judges, from 63 to 65 years.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Court of Appeal Judge Mayadunna Sri Mevan Anthony Edirimannasuriya Corea as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.
The appointment has been made as President’s Counsel Nalin Rohantha Abeysuriya, who currently serves as President of the Court of Appeal, will be overseas until the 24th.
Accordingly Justice Mayadunna Corea was sworn in as Acting President of the Court of Appeal before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential secretariat last morning (21).
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present at the occasion.
High Court convicts 14 over deadly Easter bombings
Mandhana, Shafali and Ghosh lead dominant India to Asian Games gold
Fatima Sana and Umm-e-Hani secure bronze for Pakistan in Asian Games
India bat first in Asian games womens cricket final
Showers about 100mm will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara Districts
Govt. confident of 2/3 majority despite NPP split speculation
‘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
-
News6 days agoUS embassy won’t comment on IGP’s probe into joint drug raid
-
News5 days agoBid for Basil’s extradition nears final stage: Police
-
News4 days agoShanakiyan urges urgent action over reported death sentence for Lankan in Saudi Arabia
-
Business6 days agoAll-new Bolero MaXX unveiled in Sri Lanka
-
News3 days agoNamal Rajapaksa Buddhist gambit fails, bail denied
-
Opinion6 days agoA journalist who wrote across the divide
-
Editorial7 days agoMore fuel price shocks shrouded in secrecy
-
Sports7 days agoMAS Holdings, official clothing sponsor of Sri Lanka team at Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Games