News

Ravi K and seven others remanded

Published

2 years ago

2021/03/18

Sahan Weerasooriya

Criminal misappropriation of Rs 36 bn:

By A.J. Abeynayake

A three-member bench of the Colombo High Court yesterday (17) remanded eight persons, including former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, over the alleged criminal misappropriation of Rs 36.98 bn at the Treasury bond auction on March 29, 2016.

The bench consisted of Damith Thotawatte, Manjula Thilakaratne and Mohammed Isardeen.

The suspects were remanded till March 23.

Deputy Solictor General Haripriya Jayasundera, who appeared for the Attorney General, said there was a likelihood of the suspects absconding in case they were granted bail. Jayasundera said that the second and third accused in the case were the then Finance Minister Karunanayake and former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran. The accused had allowed another party to earn a massive sum of money through illegal means by neglecting their responsibilities.

Shavendra Fernando, PC, who appeared for the accused said that as AG had failed to indict them on specific charges it would be unfair to remand them pending the court case. Fernando said that the request made outside the accepted norms was unfair.

Responding to Shavendra Fernando, the bench acknowledged that the accused hadn’t been indicted.

Anil Silva, PC said that the stand taken by Jayasundera that the court required the consent of the AG to grant the accused bail was an interference with the court. He said that the court should not give in to AG Department’s bid to deprive selected group of persons bail.

Of the three judges, Manjula Tillekaratne took a different stand.

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I will not tolerate any breach of law and order in the country during my tenure – President

Published

5 hours ago

2023/04/1

Priyan

President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing Tri Forces, Police officers and other rankers at the Air Force Base Anuradhapura stated that during his presidency, no one will be allowed to breach the law and order of the country. He emphasized that he will prioritize doing what is right over doing what is popular, and that presenting popular ideas can lead to the destruction of the country.

He asserted that no one is entitled to engage in violent protests on the streets, but all political parties have the right to express their opinions or criticize him in a peaceful manner.

News

Two students dead seven injured during big match vehicle parade in Badulla

Published

11 hours ago

2023/04/1

Priyan

Two students died and seven others were injured when the vehicle they were traveling toppled in Badulla today (01)

The students were participating in a vehicle parade held as part of the revelries for the 74th Battle of Uva between Uva Badulla Maha Vidyalaya and Dharmadutha Maha Vidyalaya which commenced at the Badulla Cricket Stadium on Friday (31)

The Regional Director of Education Badulla on hearing of the unfortunate incident had ordered the match to be called off.

The Badulla Police are conducting investigations.

News

‘Better Policy Making Through Evaluations’ held in Colombo

Published

14 hours ago

2023/04/1

Priyan

‘Better Policy Making Through Evaluations’ the first on-site international training on evaluation for Parliamentarians and Parliament research staff in the Asia Pacific region was held in Colombo from the 27th to the 30th of March 2023.

On the final day of the training programme fifty (50) Parliamentarians and Parliament research staff from around 20 countries across Asia Pacific visited the Parliament of Sri Lanka for an exchange session and dialogue on the importance of evidence-based policy making through evaluations.