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Prof. Kennedy to be reinstated as Dean following AG’s assurance to SC

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The Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court that the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Vice Chancellor of Eastern University, and other relevant authorities have agreed to reinstate Professor Jeewaratnam Kennedy as the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) in the Eastern University.

This assurance was conveyed by a Senior State Counsel appearing for the Attorney General, during the hearing of a fundamental rights petition filed by Prof. Kennedy, who challenged his premature removal from the position. Prof. Kennedy alleged that his removal, after serving only one and a half years of his three-year appointment, violated his fundamental rights.

The case was taken up before a bench comprising Justices S. Thurairaja and Mahinda Samayawardena.

Counsel for the petitioner, Attorney Himali Kularatne, submitted that Prof. Kennedy had been duly appointed as Dean through a formal process involving a public call for applications and interviews. She said her client had received a letter of appointment and had performed his duties to the satisfaction of the Vice Chancellor, the University Council, and the wider academic community. Despite this, he was removed from the post without explanation, she argued, adding that Prof. Kennedy has a 25-year record of unblemished service at the same institution.

Responding on behalf of the state, the Senior State Counsel maintained that there had been no malicious intent behind the removal. The counsel explained that the Dean’s post had not been officially listed in the university’s approved cadre at the time of the appointment. With the post now formally recognised, the authorities had agreed to reinstate Prof. Kennedy with effect from July 1.

By A. J. A. Abeynayake ✍️

 



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Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)

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The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla,  Kandy,  Kurunegala,  Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till  08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)

The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district,  and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.

LEVEL II AMBER   landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions  and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara,  Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and  Kandeketiya in the Badulla district,  Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district,  Rideegama in the Kurunegala district,  Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district,  and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of  Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district,  and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.

 

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PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency

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Harini Amarasuriya

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday sad that the Executive Presidency would be abolished, in line with the NPP’s election manifesto.

Speaking in Parliament, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the abolition would take place through a proposed new Constitution.

She added that preliminary work on drafting the new Constitution had already begun, with previous committee reports and other proposals being studied to guide the process.

“A concept paper on the draft will be presented to the Cabinet,” Amarasuriya said, noting that a formal study has been initiated on abolishing the Executive Presidency.

She said that the move cannot be implemented without introducing a new Constitution.

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Opposition Leader rises in defence of Dr. Bellana 

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Sajith

Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the suspension of duties imposed on Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.

Raising the issue during parliamentary proceedings, Premadasa, who is also the SJB Leader, questioned the decision to suspend the senior medical officer for issuing a statement to the media, particularly on matters relating to children’s medicines.

He said health was a fundamental right and noted that two children had reportedly died, stressing that the focus should be on accountability over the incident rather than penalising a medical professional for speaking out.

Premadasa criticised the authorities for suspending Dr. Bellana solely for communicating with the media, asking whether such action constituted justice for families who had lost their children.The Opposition Leader said silencing officials, who raise concerns, undermines fundamental rights and does not address the underlying issues related to patient safety and public health.

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