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Court of Appeal grants MP-elect Jayasekera interim relief
By Chitra Weerarathne
The Court of Appeal yesterday granted interim relief to Premalal Jayasekera, stating that he was entitled to be taken to Parliament as his election had not been invalidated. He enjoyed all the rights of a Member of Parliament and could meet the Secretary General of Parliament.
The Speaker of Parliament would decide whether he would speak in Parliament or not, the court determined.
Copies of the determination were ordered to be given to the Commissioner General of Prison and the Secretary General of Parliament.
The writ application by Premalal will be next called on September 29, 2020.
Romesh de Silva President’s Counsel at an earlier hearing said that Premalal Jayasekera had filed an appeal against the conviction of murder and the death sentence imposed on him by the Ratnapura High Court. When an appeal was filed, he was like a remand prisoner. Hence, he could meet the Secretary General of Parliament and take oaths as a Member of Parliament. If he was denied the opportunity to take oaths, as a Member of Parliament such action amounted to a violation of the franchise of the voters who voted for him on August 5, 2020.
The High Court conviction was given on August 4, 2020. But yet the voters elected him on August 5, 2020, despite the High Court conviction.
Uditha Egalahewa, PC also made similar submissions. However, Nerin Pulle, Senior Deputy Solicitor General said that when an appeal was filed the execution of the sentence did not occur. But the conviction would stand until it got quashed by the Supreme Court.
Romesh de Silva appeared with Uditha Egalahewa, Niran Anketell and Sugath Caldera for the petitioner Premalal Jayasekera.
The bench comprised Justice A.H.M. D. Nawaz (President of the Court of Appeal) and Justice Sobitha Rajakaruna.
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Heat index, is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 29 April 2025, valid for 30 April 2025
The general public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will undertake a four-day state visit to Vietnam on 03 May, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. Since the presidential election, President Dissanayake has so far visited India, China and the UAE.
The 5th annual Sri Lanka-Pakistan Bilateral Defence Dialogue commenced on Monday (April 28) in Islamabad, Pakistan, marking a continued commitment to strengthening defence cooperation between the two nations.
The MoD statement: “The Sri Lankan delegation is led by Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha accompanied by Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, and Additional Secretary (Defence) of the Ministry of Defence Jayantha Edirisinghe. The Pakistani delegation is headed by Lieutenant General (retd.) Muhammad Ali, Secretary Defence of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
In conjunction with the on-going defence dialogue, Defence Secretary Thuyacontha held a side-line meeting yesterday (April 29) with Defence Minister of Pakistan, Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
These high-level engagements aim to enhance bilateral cooperation, foster mutual understanding on regional security dynamics and explore opportunities for defence collaboration. Both nations share a longstanding relationship rooted in mutual respect and strategic cooperation. The dialogue reflects the growing importance of partnerships in maintaining stability and promoting peace in the South Asian region.
The three-day dialogue, which concludes today (April 30), is expected to reinforce bilateral defence ties and contribute to broader regional security objectives.
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