News
Easter Sunday carnage case: Hemasiri, Pujith acquitted and released
“… unacceptable to file cases against government servants alone as politicians were above them.”
By Saman Indrajith
Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara were acquitted and released yesterday in a case against them for their failure to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, despite having received warnings of the terror strikes.
The verdict was delivered by a three-judge Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar, comprising Namal Balalle, Aditya Patabendige, and Mohamed Irshadeen.
Fernando and Jayasundera had been indicted on 855 charges.
Announcing the order Judge Mohamed Irshadeen said the Attorney General should have thought twice before filing the case against the former Defence Secretary. Judge Aditya Patabendige said the evidence presented before them showed that Fernando had been in a helpless position in making decisions. Patabendige added that former head of the State Intelligence Service, Nilantha Jayawardena had neglected his responsibilities and Fernando’s arrest was questionable. Jayawardena had tried to place the blame for the attack on someone else, the Judge noted.
Judge Patabendige after releasing Jayasundara said that the AG had to be careful when pressing criminal charges against an individual and that the arrest of the two men were highly problematic. It was unacceptable to file cases against government servants alone when politicians were above them, the judge said.
The Court also said that the prosecution had produced a handful of witnesses before the court, when there were over 1,000 witnesses. However, the prosecution still failed to prove the charges against the accused.
Chairman of the Bench, High Court Judge Namal Balalle, thanked the AG’s Department and the staff of the Colombo High Court for assisting to conclude the case within four months
The Attorney General had filed 864 indictments under Sections 296 and 300 of the Penal Code, including attempted murder against the two former officials.
News
Law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally- State Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe
State Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22] said that the law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally.
He said that , if someone joins a municipal council receiving a modest salary and, within two to three years, builds a luxury house and acquires a vehicle, we will question how such wealth was amassed. If a satisfactory explanation cannot be provided, the law will be enforced and the measures will be taken to confiscate any illegally acquired assets.
The opposition frequently levels accusations against us, but we have not engaged in any wrongdoing. We have not misappropriated public funds, used undue influence to secure school admissions for our children, or interfered with law enforcement. We are dedicated to serving the people by upholding an ethical and responsible political culture.
If you wish to develop your community, I respectfully urge you to elect individuals of integrity who will not misuse public funds.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
It has been reported that prison officials and the police have brought the unrest among the 500 plus inmates of the Matara prison which commenced on Tuesday [22] under control by this morning (23)
It has been reported that the inmates had broken out of their wards after which the officials were compelled to fire in the air and use tear gas to bring the situation under control.
The inmates are being temporarily transferred to the Angunkolapelessa prison in groups to enable authorities to repair the the damage caused to the wards and cells within the premises.
The prison officials who were injured during the conflict are receiving treatment at the Matara hospital. 
Latest News
Local government authorities and Municipal Councils are the nursery of corrupt politics. – Prime Minister
The Prime Minister stated that the President has challenged all ministers to transparently and efficiently spend the funds allocated to each ministry through the national budget for the benefit of the people, and that the local governments and municipal councils have historically been the nursery grounds of corrupt politics.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22].
The Prime Minister further stated:
“All 159 of us in Parliament today did not enter through family or financial influence. We are ordinary citizens just like you and individuals who stand among you. Unlike in the past, our members do not behave disruptively in Parliament. When school children visit, there is no need for the Speaker to request their removal that our parliamentary members conduct themselves with dignity, adherence to the law, and political maturity.
This is the kind of Parliament we have always aspired to have. Today, it is you who has made this transformation possible. For a long time, we have not experienced the advantages of an efficient and properly functioning local government. You now have the opportunity to elect representatives who are truly committed to serving you and improving your local institutions.
The event was attended by Arosh Athapaththu, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte Municipal Council candidate representing the National People’s Power, along with several other candidates and a large number of local residents.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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