News

JVP Leader’s accusations prompt Colombo HC Lawyers’ Association to seek clarification from AG

Published

4 years ago

2022/05/6

Focus on CID and FCID probes during yahapalana administration

In the wake of corruption allegations directed at politicians, officials and others, the Colombo High Court Lawyers’ Association has written to Attorney General Sanjaya Rajaratnam, PC, seeking specific information as regards investigations undertaken by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The following is the text of the letter addressed to the AG by the Secretary of the association Sarath Ekanayake and its President Laksman Perera: “We are writing to you on behalf of the Membership of the Colombo High Court Lawyers’ Association as well as concerned members of the Bar on the matter mentioned above. No elaboration is required since all of us are quite sensible to the present-day situation in the country that public as well as Legal fraternity demand status of the complaints made against politicians, public servants and those who engaged in large scale corruption. We are aware of some of the most outspoken corruption and asset acquisitions of political leaders and public officials whilst holding positions in the government as well as being dealers and money collectors of their superiors.

“Hon sir, the Legal fraternity would not make any allegations against any stakeholders who are responsible for carrying out proper investigations, and maintaining proper and adequate standards of prosecution, without reasonable grounds and substance. However, we are concerned about some of the major allegations made against people named openly in public and further alleged that investigations against the perpetrators are concluded though advice of the Attorney general is pending on those investigations. Specially we are quite concerned of the assertion made by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, member of Parliament and Upul Kumarapperuma Attorney-at- Law on 3rd of May 2022 that they have made complaints since 2015 and over 100 investigations were carried out by FCID, and the extracts of those investigation are pending at the office of the Hon. Attorney General. Our membership would like to make a very respectful request on following matters.

“1. How many investigation files were sent to the Office of the Attorney General for his Advice by FCID since it was established in 2015 and the Attorney General’s reference of the files.

2. Against whom such investigations were carried out by FCID upon complaints received and names of the suspects revealed during investigations.

3. How many advice files/ cases that Hon. Attorney General has delivered his deliberation and advice?

4. How many indictments have been dispatched on those investigations carried out by FCID since 2015 and the case numbers of those indictments?

“We are quite aware of the tremendous service and commitment of officers of the Attorney General’s Department, and we appreciate the work ethics and professionalism of them. We are at your support and assistance should you require any further clarification, and we expect you would respond to our request within a week time, at your convenience.”

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Geneva takes up Sallay’s case and govt. ignores opportunity to answer accusations

Published

2 hours ago

2026/10/5

Thilina Walpola

Suresh Sallay

The government has chosen not to respond to questions raised by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) regarding the detention of retired Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay in connection with the ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested the ex-official in late February this year. The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers have jointly raised the issue on 20 July, 2026.

Drawing attention of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to what they called alleged arbitrary detention of Sallay, former Director General of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) and former Director of Military Intelligence (DMI), under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), as well as allegations of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment while in custody, resulting in the grave deterioration of his health, and imminent risks of retaliation through further torture and ill-treatment resulting in irreparable harm, should he be released from hospital and returned to custody, the UN sought the government explanation with a 60-day period.

The UN has stated: “This communication, and any response received from your Excellency’s Government, will be made public via the communications reporting website at the 60 days mark. Should your Excellency’s Government respond within 60 days, both the communication and the response, may be published before the 60 days mark. The communications and responses

will also be made available in the subsequent periodic report to be presented to the Human Rights Council.”

In the absence of the government’s response, the UN posted the letter, dated 20 July, 2026, addressed to President Dissanayake. The full letter can be accessed https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=31125

News

Section of wartime KKS High Security Zone vacated to facilitate economic development in the area

Published

2 hours ago

2026/10/5

Thilina Walpola

The Army, last week, vacated an area, within the wartime high security zone in the Jaffna peninsula. The Defence Ministry said that an extent of 187.56 acres of land, belonging to the Cement Corporation in Kankesanthurai, Jaffna, has been released by the military. The released land, located in Grama Niladhari Division J/233, Kankesanthurai West, within the Valikamam North (Tellippalai) Divisional Secretariat Division, had been utilised by the Sri Lanka Army since the middle of 1997.

The release of the 187.56-acre extent forms part of the initiative to make State land available for the proposed investment zone in Kankesanthurai, thereby facilitating future investment and economic development in the area.

News

Lawyer lodges complaint against Govt. Printer, Media Ministry Secy.

Published

2 hours ago

2026/10/5

Thilina Walpola

A complaint has been lodged with the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau against the Government Printer and the Secretary to the Ministry of Media regarding the online release of falsified documents bearing a forged Speaker’s certificate.

Attorney-at-Law Aruna Laksiri has lodged a complaint with the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau requesting legal action against the Government Printer of the Department of Government Printing (No. 118, Dr. Danister de Silva Mawatha, Colombo 08), Prasanna Jayaratne, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media (Asidisi Medura, 163, Kirulapone Mawatha, Polhengoda, Colombo 05), Dr. Anil Jasinghe.

The complaint alleges the commission of offences by forging and uploading falsified documents online using a forged Speaker’s certification, failure to perform statutory duties, and misappropriation of public property.

The complaint states that a copy of the English translation of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was downloaded and printed from the official website of the Government Printing Department (www.documents.gov.lk), which operates under the Ministry of Mass Media. On its outer cover and on page 1, the text “certified on 25th of September, 2026” is inscribed inside brackets.

The complaint pointed out that the Speaker has certified an English translation. Under Articles 23, 79, 83, and 80 of the Constitution, Parliament enacts laws and the Speaker certifies bills strictly in the Sinhala and Tamil languages; under the Constitution, therefore the Speaker cannot apply such certification to an English translation.