News
Court orders summons for key witness in Easter Sunday case
By AJA ABEYANAYKE
The Colombo High Court yesterday ordered that summons be issued for the fourth witness in a case filed against businessman Mohamed Ibrahim and two other defendants, in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.
The directive was given by High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe requiring the witness to appear in court on 02 July .
During the hearing, Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama informed the court that the second witness, a woman who previously worked as a domestic aide at the defendants’ residence, had secretly left the country without notifying the CID or the Attorney General’s Department. Highlighting concerns that the fourth witness might also leave the country, she urged the Court to take necessary measures. Considering this, Judge Marasinghe ordered the immediate issuance of a summons for the witness.
The judge instructed CID officers to submit all relevant immigration records concerning the second witness’s departure before the Court by the end of the day.
He also cautioned CID officers to ensure that all legal procedures were properly followed, warning against unexpected disruptions in Court proceedings.
The case against Mohamed Ibrahim and two others was filed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, citing their failure to inform authorities despite prior knowledge of the impending suicide bombings orchestrated by Zahran Hashim and his group on 21 April, 2019.
The trial was initially set for yesterday (24), but was postponed to 02 July after Anuja Premaratne PC, representing Mohamed Ibrahim, stated that his client was not fit enough to testify. DSG Girihagama did not object to the request.
According to the indictment, Mohamed Ibrahim’s sons—Mohamed Ibrahim Ilham Ahmed, who carried out the suicide attack at the Shangri-La Hotel, and Mohamed Ibrahim Inshaf Ahmed, responsible for the bombing at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel—were among the perpetrators of the coordinated Easter Sunday attacks.
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.
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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
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