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MS found guilty of violating Constitution, AG directed to bring back convict

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Yvonne Jonsson

Granting Presidential pardon to convicted murderer of Swedish-Lankan girl

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Supreme Court has directed Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, to take tangible measures to secure the custody of convicted killer Don Shramantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha, who was granted a presidential pardon on Nov 09, 2019 by the then President Maithripala Sirisena during his last week in office.

The Apex Court in 2014 upheld the death sentence imposed on Jayamaha for killing 19-year-old Swede, Yvonne Jonsson, in the stairwell of the Royal Park Condominium complex in Rajagiriya on July 1, 2005. Police arrested Jayamaha on the following day at the condominium where he had been with the relatives and friends of the victim.

A three-member Supreme Court bench consisting of Justices S. Thurairaja, Yasantha Kodagoda, and Janak de Silva issued the directive to the AG after declaring President Sirisena’s actions violated the Constitution.

The SC issued the ruling following the consideration of a fundamental rights petition filed by the Women and Media Collective.

The NGO’s Board of Directors consists of Dr. Radhika Coomerswamy, Prof. Cameena Gunaratne, Ms. Anberiya Haniffa, Ms. Anushya Coomaraswamy, Ms. Jayanthi Kuru-Uthumpala, Ms. Sakunthala Kadirgamar and Ms. Chulani Kodikara.

Jayamaha left the country immediately after the presidential pardon. President Sirisena strongly defended his decision when various interested parties questioned the legitimacy of the move just ahead of the last presidential polls.

The Supreme Court ordered Sirisena to pay a compensation of Rs. 01 million to the petitioner, and Rs. 01 million each to the mother and father of the victim.

The Supreme Court declared that the former President intentionally violated the Constitution by granting the murder convict a presidential pardon. At the time of the incident, Jayamaha had been back home for vacation from Australia where he was studying.

President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena with Counsel Rukshan Senadheera and Ranmali Meepagala appeared for the petitioner. President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva appeared for the victim. Faizer Mustapha PC appeared for former President Maithripala Sirisena. Saliya Peiris PC appeared for the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle appeared for the Attorney General.



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Secretary to the President meets with heads of the Health sector

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A special discussion between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and the heads of the health sector was held on Tuesday (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the meeting, it was discussed that a committee would be formed to explore possible steps that could be taken through the President’s Fund to reduce the number of patients on long waiting lists for surgeries in government hospitals.

The committee is expected to submit a report on the matter within one month. Based on the findings, appropriate actions will be taken, as indicated by the Secretary to the President.

The discussion highlighted the significant number of patients, including those requiring cardiac, ophthalmic, and paediatric surgeries, who are currently awaiting procedures on long waiting lists at government hospitals.

Attention was also given to the potential support that could be provided by the President’s Fund and other relevant sectors to address the challenges faced by these patients.

Additionally, discussions were held regarding the possibility of conducting surgeries after regular working hours at government hospitals. The challenges faced by doctors and staff were also thoroughly discussed during the meeting.

The discussion was attended by several key officials, including Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary (Public Health Services) Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with directors and specialist doctors from major hospitals across the country.

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Govt. plan to boost revenue with taxes on vehicle imports unrealistic, warns Harsha

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Dr. de Silva

By Saman Indrajith

SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried.

“Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? I do not believe there are enough affluent individuals in Sri Lanka to sustain vehicle imports at these exorbitant prices.”

Providing examples of the dramatic price increase, Dr. de Silva pointed out that a Toyota Raize now cost Rs. 12.2 mn, a Toyota Yaris Rs. 18.5 mn, and a Toyota Prius a staggering Rs. 28.9 mn.

“Someone mentioned that a Toyota Vitz could be available at Rs. 1.4 mn.”

Dr. de Silva said that the government aimed to increase tax revenue by 1.6% of GDP with a significant portion expected from vehicle imports. However, he warned that achieving that target was unrealistic under current circumstances. The government must reassess its reliance on this sector for increasing tax revenue,” he said.

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SLN receives shallow water multi-beam echo sounder from Australia

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From left : Defence Advisor to the Australian High Commission in Colombo, Colonel Amanda Johnston, Australian HC in Colombo Paul Stephens, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and Chief Hydrographer of SLNHS and Commander Southern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Kosala Warnakulasooriya

Giving a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s hydrographic capabilities, the government of Australia handed over a state-of-the-art Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo Sounder to the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) during a ceremony held at SLNS Rangalla today (18 Feb 25). The formal ceremony was held under the auspices of the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking new chapter in the discipline of hydrography.

The Australian government provided the Sri Lanka Navy with this Multi Beam Echo Sounder to enhance its hydrographic capabilities. This advanced equipment will enable the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) to conduct precise hydrographic surveys, essential for creating nautical and electronic charts for international use. The device will also facilitate the production of high-precision nautical charts, ensuring safer maritime navigation.

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