News
Public Security Minister: Prosecuting terror suspects laborious task, but process moving faster than in advanced countries
Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (retd.) Sarath Weerasekera yesterday said that it had taken the US 20 years to commence the legal process against the mastermind of Sept 11 attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and France seven years to prosecute the mastermind of the November 2015 Paris attacks.
“We started the prosecution of the mastermind of the Easter Sunday attacks within two and a half years. Almost all that has to be done by the police have been completed. Yet, with regard to some individuals, investigations are in progress,” the Minister said speaking to journalists after declaring open the new police station at Malabe.
Weerasekera said Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith had made several statements and expressed his dissatisfaction over the pace of the prosecution process. “We have to accept his criticism because he is the one who represents the Catholic people, who has been immensely affected by the Easter Sunday terror attacks. The process is progressing and we cannot influence the legal process. But when compared to situations with regard to similar incidents in other countries we have done much better,” the Minister said.
“As of now cases are being heard in five High Courts against 32 persons involved in the Easter Sunday attacks. Among them are 24 main suspects including Naufer Moulavi and Jafoor Mama. The case is being heard in an expeditious manner at the request of the Attorney General, the Chief Justice appointed a special Trial-at-Bar to accelerate the process. The case is to be heard continuously, starting from this month.
“I think that we must be appreciative of the services rendered by the investigators to complete such a heavy load of work within two and a half years. The CID probed around 112,000 telephone calls. They have filed 23,700 charges. In addition, there are four reports in this regard; namely the reports by the Parliamentary Select Committee, Parliament Sectoral Oversight Committee, and the Presidential Commision of Inquiry. The Attorney General has to study them all to make sure that there would not be any discrepancy in testimonies otherwise the accused would avail themselves the advantage of such differences and win the case against them. It may take some time but I assure you that those responsible would not go Scott-free.”
Among those present were IGP CD Wickramaratne and Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon.
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Heat Index at Caution Level at some places in Eastern, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala, Hambantota and Kurunegala districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 02 May 2025, valid for 03 May 2025
Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala, Hambantota and Kurunegala 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.
At the invitation of the President of Vietnam, Luong Cuong, President Anura Kumara Disanayake will undertake a State Visit to Vietnam from May 4 to 6. Accordingly, the President is scheduled to depart Sri Lanka tonight [May 3].
This visit marks the celebration of 55 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Vietnam and is expected to further strengthen the long-standing bilateral ties between the two nations.
During the visit, President Disanayake will hold official discussions with the President and Prime Minister of Vietnam. He is also scheduled to meet with senior dignitaries, including the General Secretary of the Communist Party.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake will also participate as the Chief Guest at the United Nations Vesak Day celebrations, scheduled to commence on May 6 in Ho Chi Minh City, where he will deliver the keynote address.
Several Memorandums of Understanding and Agreements are expected to be signed during the visit and discussions will be held with the Vietnamese business community to explore avenues for enhanced cooperation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with a delegation of senior government officials, will accompany President Disanayake on this official visit.
The deadline for political parties and candidates contesting the local government election to conclude their campaigning is at midnight today (03).According to election laws, all campaign related activities must end 48 hours before the day of the election, the Election Commission said.
Furthermore, all campaign offices, except for official media centres established at the local government level, and announcement offices set up for individual wards, must be dismantled after midnight today. The Election Commission also stated that all campaign decorations—except for display boards measuring up to 60 square feet—must be removed by midnight tonight.
Voting for 339 local government bodies will be held on 06 May, with 13,759 polling stations set up for the election. A total of 17,563,538 registered voters are eligible to cast their votes.
Vote counting will be conducted at a designated centre selected for each division, and will begin at 5:00pm on the same day, EC sources said.
By Ranil Dharmasena
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