News
Disappearance of 11 persons: AG withdraws indictment against Karannagoda
By Chitra Weerarathne
Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, has withdrawn the indictment against wartime Navy Commander the then Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda in respect of the alleged abduction and disappearance of 11 Tamil youth in 2008. The case attracted the attention of the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and local and international NGOs.
The Court of Appeal yesterday (13) permitted the AG to withdraw the indictment against now Admiral of the Fleet Karannagoda.
The AG informed the Court of Appeal that the former Navy Chief wouldn’t be prosecuted.
Of the missing eleven persons, five were allegedly taken into custody on Sept. 17, 2008 by navy personnel along with black Tata Indica. Police have identified them as Rajiv Naganathan (21 years/Colombo 13), Pradeep Vishvanathan (18 years/Wasala Rd, Colombo 13), Mohammed Sajith (21 years/Dematagoda), Thilakeswaram Ramalingam (17 years/Bloemendhal housing complex, Colombo 13) and Jamaldeen Dilan (Maradana). Those involved in the operation were believed to have been accompanied by a navy informant Mohammed Ali Anwar alias Hadjjiar of Karagampitiya, Dehiwela. Subsequently, the 28-year-old informant, too, had disappeared and listed among those eleven missing.
The remaining five persons are Kasthuriarachchilage John Reid (21 years/Kotahena/8-9-2008)), Amalan Leon (50 years/Arippu, north/25-8-2008)) and his son Roshan Leon (21 years/Arippu north/25-8-2008), Anthony Kasthuriarachchi (48 yerars/Kotahena/10-10-2008) and Kanagaraja Jegan (32 years, Trincomalee)
Karannagoda requested the Court of Appeal to issue a stay order on the High Court proceedings against him. The Court of Appeal at an earlier hearing issued a stay order until the Attorney General explained his position with regard to the indictment.
The Writ Application will be mentioned again on November 3.
Romesh de Silva, PC, appeared with Niran Anketell and Sugath Caldera for the petitioner Karannagoda.
Dr. Avanthi Perera Senior State Counsel appeared for the Attorney General.
The bench comprised Justice Sobitha Rajakaruna and Justice Dhammika Ganepola.
The alleged abductions and disappearances came to light after relatives of one of those missing brought the incident to Karannagoda’s attention. Subsequent investigations implicated a group of navy personnel, including the Chief Security Officer of the Navy Commander.
Under the Finance Act No. 35 of 2018 a tax has been imposed on the telecommunication towers and accordingly an annual tax amount of Rs. 200,000/- is levied from mobile network operators who possess telecommunication towers. However, it has been proposed in the Budget for 2026 that the said tax shall not be levied for a period of five (5) years in respect of telecommunication towers newly erected on or after 2026-01-01.
Accordingly, the Legal Draftsman has formulated a draft bill to amend the Finance Act No. 35 of 2018 including the provisions for taking necessary action, and the Attorney General has granted the clearance in the regard.
Hence, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to publish the said draft bill in the Government Gazette Notification and thereafter submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
The cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to publish the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill in the Government Gazette and thereafter submit it for the concurrence of the Parliament.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Digital Economy, to appoint H.M.J.M.Herath, a special Grade officer in Sri Lanka Administrative Service, who is currently serving as the District Secretary / Government Agent of Kegalle, to the post of Commissioner General of Registration of Persons
Amendments to the Finance Act No. 35 of 2018 to be Gazetted
Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill to be Gazetted
H.M.J.M.Herath appointed Commissioner General of Registration of Persons
Water Resources Board Act, No. 29 of 1964, to be amended
Securing public sector employment opportunities for Athletes demonstrating National-Level sporting excellence
Cabinet gives green light for old court complex buildings located in Galle Fort to be utilized for a Tourism Promotion Project.
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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