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Minister Johnston discharged from bribery case
Minister Johnston Fernando was yesterday discharged by the Colombo High Court from by the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
The action had been filed under the Bribery Act during the period of Director General of Bribery, Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe.
The CIABOC Director General had alleged that Fernando had employed CWE workers for election related purposes.
The Counsel for Johnston Fernando raised a preliminary objection, claiming that in any event the prosecution could not maintain the case as they had failed to comply with the mandatory provisions required under the law.
The court was informed that the former DG had filed the action maliciously and without obtaining a mandatory direction under Section 11 of the Bribery Act. Under that provision the Director General could not institute an action without the three Commissioners approving a prosecution. It was also argued that when a prosecution was initiated in a Magistrate Court it was mandatory to obtain the sanction of the Commission and that the former DG Bribery had filed the action without such sanction.
These preliminary objections were overruled by the Magistrate Colombo. However, Johnston Fernando filed an application for Revision and acting in Revision Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige, accepted the position of Johnston Fernando and discharged him from the criminal charges.
Kalinga Indatissa PC with Samantha Premachandra, Rashmini Kalpana Indatissa and Razana Salih appeared for petitioner Johnston Fernando.
Ganga Heiyanthuduwa appeared for the prosecution.
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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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