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SC grants leave to proceed with FR petition for allegedly being threatened by State Minister Lohan Ratwatte

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By Chitra Weerarathne

The Supreme Court yesterday granted leave to proceed with the fundamental rights violation petition filed by eight prisoners of the Anuradhapura Prison, who had been allegedly threatened by State Minister Lohan Ratwatte.

Leave was granted on the alleged violation under Articles 11, 12(1), and 12(2) of the Constitution, which ensure freedom from inhuman degrading treatment, equality for everyone and freedom from discrimination.

The third respondent, the Commissioner General of Prisons, was directed to transfer these petitioner prisoners to other prisons with their consent.

The Inspector General of Police was directed to investigate the issue with the advice of the Attorney General.

The petitioners have complained that on 12 September, Lohan Ratwatte, the State Minister in charge of the Prisons, visited the prisons, and threatened them at gunpoint.

Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran PC, who appeared for the Prisoners, told the Court that the Justice Minister Ali Sabry PC had conceded in Parliament that the prisoners had been unfairly treated by Ratwatte. Ali Sabry the Minister of Justice had apologised to the prisoners and their families, he said.

President’s Counsel Sumanthiran appeared with K. Sujanthan, Dr. T. Jayasingham and Miss. D. Muscaran for the petitioners.

The Deputy Solicitor General Rajiv Gunetillake appeared for the Attorney General.

He said that the state had no objection to the transferring of the petitioner other than the Jaffna Prison.

The bench comprised Justice Gamini Amarasekera, Justice Yasantha Kodagoda and Justice Janak de Silva.

The case will be next heard on 15th February 2022.



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Cabinet nod for new Commercial High Court

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The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms to establish a new Commercial High Court to ensure expeditious disposal of the existing backlog of commercial matters.

The new Commercial High Court will be established at No.80, Justice Avenue, Colombo 12

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219.72 Hectares of land in Siyambalanduwa to be acquired and leased to Sustainable Energy Authority

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The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Power and Energy on the recommendation of the Ministry of Tourism and Lands, to acquire 219.72 hectares of land in Siyambalanduwa Divisional Secretariat Division of Monaragala District and lease the relevant extent of land on a long-term lease basis for a period of 25 years to the Sustainable Energy Authority, with relevant provisions to enable sub-leasing to a selected renewable energy developer.

 

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Chemicals to be regulated to prevent misuse

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The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the  President in his capacity as the Minister of Defense to make arrangements to regulate  chemicals that could be misused, and to transfer the said regulatory role to the National Authority for the Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Among the large number of different chemicals that are used in the country for peaceful purposes such as industrial, agricultural, medical and research activities it has been observed that among those chemicals, chemicals like Nitric acid, Chlorine, Hydrogen Peroxide, Potassium Cyanide, sodium cyanide, Nitro Methane and Sodium Azide are of dual use nature which can be used in many different industries such as milk, beverages, oil-related industries, water purification etc. can be used for harmful activities that threaten national security.

 

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