News

Petitioner tells court: AG’s should protect public not corrupt politicians

Published

4 years ago

2021/12/11

Sahan Weerasooriya

Gas explosion case before CA:

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Petitioner Attorney-at-Law Nagananda Kodituwakku yesterday (10) told the Court of Appeal that the duty and responsibility of the Attorney General was to defend the people.

Referring to recent Supreme Court stricture of the Attorney General in the ruling in respect of fundamental rights application filed as regards ‘Taking a policy decision in respect of tamed elephants where judicial proceedings and investigations are being conducted and transferring the ownership’, Kodituwakku said that the Attorney General shouldn’t lie.

The Attorney General’s duty was not to protect corrupt politicians, the petitioner said.

The petitioner lawyer said so when the Attorney General told the Court of Appeal that the Department wasn’t aware of the petition filed by him in his capacity as the General Secretary of the Vinivida Foundation seeking a series of immediate measures against those responsible for accidental blasts of domestic LPG gas cylinders.

In addition to issuance of notice to ten respondents, namely Chairman Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) retired Major General Shantha Dissanayake (1 respondent) , Director General, Sri Lanka Standards Dr. Siddika Senarathna (2), former CAA Executive Director Thushan Gunawardena (3), Laughfs Holdings (4), Litro Gas (5), Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena (6), Consumer Protection State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna (7), Government Chief Valuer P.P.D.S. Muthkumarana (8), IGP C.D. Wickremaratne (9), and the Attorney General (10), the petitioner sought immediate halt to distribution of gas cylinders pending a thorough investigation, formulate health and safety standards for LP gas cylinders, compensation to those affected by blasts and directive to the Attorney General to institute legal proceedings against Litro and Laughfs in terms of Section 13 of the Consumer Affairs Act No 09 of 2003 and also under Section 45 of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution Act No 6 of 1984 and Section 298 of the Penal Code or under any other provision of law for the commission of a serious criminal offence that warrants imprisonment and payment of compensation to all victims who had suffered loss of life and property damage.

Lawyer Kodituwakku asked in the open court yesterday how the Attorney General denied knowledge of the case filed by him when the Department was represented in the Court of Appeal on the first day, Wednesday, Dec 08 of the proceedings. Court of Appeal judge Sobitha Rajakaruna recused himself from the case on that day. On the following day, Court of Appeal judges Priyantha Fernando and Sampath Abeykoon, too, excused themselves from the case paving the way for Dr. Ruman Fernando and Sampath Wijerathna to hear the case yesterday.

Following deliberations, the judges declared that the case would be called next Tuesday (14) at 10 am. Attorney-at-law Kodituwakku was directed to deliver the required documents to all the relevant parties as regards the case filed in terms of Article 140 of the Constitution.

The civil society activist told the court that this shouldn’t be delayed as explosions of domestic gas cylinders took place every day and the lives of people were at serious risk. Kodituwakku also denied accusations by the Attorney General that he brought the media to court. Kodituwakku emphasized that he had nothing to do with the presence of the media.

The petitioner prayed that the Court of Appeal exercised its inherent jurisdiction afforded by Article 140 of the Constitution to arrest the serious life and property risk and immeasurable hardship faced by the consumers due to blatant negligence on the part of the 1st, 2nd 6th 7th and 9th Respondents who shall be held accountable for gross failure on their part to enforce the rule of law concerning the health and safety risks faced by millions of consumers.

The Petitioner stated that failure on the part of the 1st, 2nd 6th 7th and 9th respondents amounted to violation of the confidence placed in the office the said respondents hold in trust. The gross negligence on the part of the above mentioned respondents violated the fundamental expectations of the citizens whose executive power is being abused by them.

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News

PM meets Sri Lankan community living in London

Published

21 mins ago

2026/05/21

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in London on Wednesday [20th] and engaged in cordial discussions.

Despite the event being held on a weekday, it was notable that nearly one thousand Sri Lankans representing the Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities attended with great enthusiasm.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that despite natural disasters and international crises, the present government has succeeded in stabilizing the country’s economy while providing relief to the people. She further noted that Sri Lanka’s political culture has now undergone a positive transformation that is irreversible.

Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, addressing the event, stated that a governance system has now been established in the country where all communities are treated equally and the benefits of economic development are shared fairly among all citizens.

Moving away from the traditional method of political gatherings, the event also provided an open platform for members of the Sri Lankan community to directly raise questions and express their views to the Prime Minister and the Minister.

Commenting on the organization of the event, the organizing committee stated that all expenses, including dinner, were borne by the participants themselves. The organizers further remarked that it is unsurprising that opposition groups, accustomed to organizing such events through the misuse of public funds, appear unsettled by this transparent process.

The occasion was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Latest News

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya meets Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom

Published

10 hours ago

2026/05/21

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya currently undertaking an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 held a bilateral meeting with the Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom ON Wednesday [20]. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, along with officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the United Kingdom for the support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwa, including ongoing rebuilding and recovery assistance. The Prime Minister also commended the United Kingdom’s support in facilitating increased bilateral trade and exports for Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister briefed the UK delegation on Sri Lanka’s recent economic developments and policy priorities, the Government’s commitment to advancing human rights and reconciliation, as well as Sri Lanka’s positive growth trajectory.

The two sides also exchanged views on current global geopolitical developments, challenges in the energy sector, and the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and long-term energy security.

Both sides also emphasised the importance of strengthening structured academic mobility frameworks while ensuring fairness, clarity, and integrity within migration systems.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Suspects involved in sureties controversy granted bail

Published

16 hours ago

2026/05/21

Sahan Weerasooriya

Kapila Chandrasena

Airbus bribe case:

Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva yesterday (20) granted bail to Mohamed Riswan and Mohamed Irshan, who allegedly received money to stand as sureties for the late former SriLankan Airlines CEO, Kapila Chandrasena. They were identified as residents of Sanchi Arachchi Watta, situated next to the Hulftsdorp court complex.

Chandrasena was found dead at his brother-in-law, Aravinda De Silva’s residence, at No. 38, Pedris Road, Kollupitiya, on 8 May.

The Magistrate also granted bail to B. A. Tissa and Perumal Ganesh, who arranged for Riswan and Irshan to stand as sureties for Chandrasena, who is under investigation for allegedly receiving a USD 2 million bribe through his wife to facilitate an Airbus deal. They, too, residents of Sanchi Arachchi Watta, were granted bail on two personal bail of Rs. 500,000 each.

Airbus had to pay USD 4 billion in penalties after admitting it had paid huge bribes to secure contracts in 20 countries. Sri Lanka is among them.

The Magistrate directed that the Grama Niladhari should certify their residence and the relevant certificates submitted to court and to establish the financial status of those who stood as sureties for the four persons.

The court was told that Mohamed Riswan and Mohamed Irshan obtained 17 Grama Niladhari certificates from January till May 2026. On the basis of a statement recorded from Keselwatta Grama Niladhari S. Nilantha Silva police informed court that the first suspect had obtained 10 certificates and the second person seven.

Fourth suspect Ganesh had first met those who stood as sureties, on 05 May, in the court premises and struck the deal. Crime OIC of Keselwatta Police, Sub Inspector K.W.D. Anuruddha, told court that Mohamed Riswan, Mohamed Irshan and B. A. Tissa hadn’t even known who Chandrasena was and were not related to him in anyway, according to investigations. Police requested that the four persons be further remanded.

The Magistrate granted them bail and set the next hearing for 25 June.

Legal sources said that such illegal practices were rampant, and in this particular case the Court Registrar should have been able to see that the sureties were very much unlikely to be relatives of Chandrasena.

By Shamindra Ferdinando