News
Contempt of court petition filed against Diana; Colombo Chief Magistrate grants her bail in a separate case

SJB member Rehan Jayawickrema yesterday (21) filed a contempt of court application before the Supreme Court against unseated State Minister Diana Gamage, alleging she had committed the offence of contempt of court through her statements at a media conference held on May 9.
Former Chairman of the Weligama Urban Council, Rehan Jayawickrema, in his petition alleged that the former MP had brought the authority of the Supreme Court into disrepute.
The Supreme Court on May 8 disqualified her from being a Member of Parliament as she is not a citizen of Sri Lanka.
The petitioner has stated that at the particular media conference respondent Gamage portrayed herself as a victim of an injustice and that the outcome in the Supreme Court was an attack on women and further that it was a result of a political conspiracy based on hate and vengeance.
The petitioner has stated that Gamage made statements maliciously to diminish the impression and impact of the said judgment in the minds of the people and to portray herself as the victim of a wrongdoing and that the judgment of the Supreme Court as wrongful.
Meanwhile, the ex-State Minister Gamage was granted bail yesterday after she appeared before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court in connection with a magisterial inquiry over a complaint that she had obtained a Sri Lankan passport after furnishing false information.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage ordered the release of Gamage on cash bail of Rs. 500,000, with two sureties of Rs. 1 million. The Magistrate observed that there was no material to prove that the suspect would evade the magisterial inquiry.
The CID conducting investigations into this matter named Gamage as a suspect.
In 2021, the CID filed a B report before the Chief Magistrate’s Court against Gamage over a complaint that she is a British citizen residing in Sri Lanka without a dual citizenship status.
The CID commenced investigations into this incident subsequent to a complaint lodged by civil society activist Oshala Herath.
News
Secretary to the President meets with heads of the Health sector

A special discussion between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and the heads of the health sector was held on Tuesday (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the meeting, it was discussed that a committee would be formed to explore possible steps that could be taken through the President’s Fund to reduce the number of patients on long waiting lists for surgeries in government hospitals.
The committee is expected to submit a report on the matter within one month. Based on the findings, appropriate actions will be taken, as indicated by the Secretary to the President.
The discussion highlighted the significant number of patients, including those requiring cardiac, ophthalmic, and paediatric surgeries, who are currently awaiting procedures on long waiting lists at government hospitals.
Attention was also given to the potential support that could be provided by the President’s Fund and other relevant sectors to address the challenges faced by these patients.
Additionally, discussions were held regarding the possibility of conducting surgeries after regular working hours at government hospitals. The challenges faced by doctors and staff were also thoroughly discussed during the meeting.
The discussion was attended by several key officials, including Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary (Public Health Services) Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with directors and specialist doctors from major hospitals across the country.
News
Govt. plan to boost revenue with taxes on vehicle imports unrealistic, warns Harsha

By Saman Indrajith
SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried.
“Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? I do not believe there are enough affluent individuals in Sri Lanka to sustain vehicle imports at these exorbitant prices.”
Providing examples of the dramatic price increase, Dr. de Silva pointed out that a Toyota Raize now cost Rs. 12.2 mn, a Toyota Yaris Rs. 18.5 mn, and a Toyota Prius a staggering Rs. 28.9 mn.
“Someone mentioned that a Toyota Vitz could be available at Rs. 1.4 mn.”
Dr. de Silva said that the government aimed to increase tax revenue by 1.6% of GDP with a significant portion expected from vehicle imports. However, he warned that achieving that target was unrealistic under current circumstances. The government must reassess its reliance on this sector for increasing tax revenue,” he said.
News
SLN receives shallow water multi-beam echo sounder from Australia

Giving a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s hydrographic capabilities, the government of Australia handed over a state-of-the-art Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo Sounder to the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) during a ceremony held at SLNS Rangalla today (18 Feb 25). The formal ceremony was held under the auspices of the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking new chapter in the discipline of hydrography.
The Australian government provided the Sri Lanka Navy with this Multi Beam Echo Sounder to enhance its hydrographic capabilities. This advanced equipment will enable the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) to conduct precise hydrographic surveys, essential for creating nautical and electronic charts for international use. The device will also facilitate the production of high-precision nautical charts, ensuring safer maritime navigation.
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