News
SC halts Magistrate’s orders on release of unregistered jumbos
…assumes jurisdiction over case
By A. J. A. Abeynayake
The Supreme Court issued an order yesterday (07) directing the immediate transfer of a case regarding the possession of several unregistered elephants from the Colombo Additional Magistrate’s Court to its own jurisdiction.
The Supreme Court also instructed the Magistrate’s Court not to take any further steps concerning the case. Additionally, it issued a stay order on all directives given by the Magistrate’s Court regarding the case filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) until the conclusion of its examination of the related petitions.
This ruling was made by a Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justice Arjuna Obeysekere, in response to submissions by President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena, who argued that the previous order issued by an Colombo Additional Magistrate’s Court, allowing the release of illegally held elephants back to the individuals in possession of them was unlawful.
The Centre for Environmental and Cultural Studies and several other parties had previously filed the case, which was called for hearing yesterday (07).
President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena also brought to the notice of the Supreme Court that despite an order from the Court of Appeal preventing the release of elephants held by the Department of Wildlife in connection with this case, the Magistrate’s Court had recently issued an order releasing the elephants back to the individuals in possession of them.
One person has died and 19 others were injured when a bus carrying a group of foreign tourists has collided with a truck transporting cement, near the 138-kilometre post between Beliatte and Aparekka on the Southern Expressway, this morning (17).
The injured have been admitted to the Tangalle Base Hospital for treatment.
Ghanaian music legend and saxophonist Teddy Osei, who founded the Afro-rock band Osibisa, has died aged 88.
The talented drummer and vocalist passed away in London on Tuesday.
He was “an important voice in music and culture, and he will be missed, but never forgotten,” the statement read.
Osei rose to acclaim as the leader of Osibisa, where his boundless creativity as a multi-instrumentalist never conformed to a single genre.
He played an instrumental role in shaping the unique sound of the band, which captivated the world with its warm, infectious songs that transcended cultural and musical boundaries.
The Musicians Union of Ghana (Musiga) shared a heartfelt tribute.
“Teddy Osei was not only a pioneer in the world of music but also a cultural ambassador who helped bridge the gap between African rhythms and global sounds,” said Musiga President Bessa Simons.
Born on 1 December, 1937, in Kumasi, Ghana, Teddy Osei was introduced to music by his father, who played in prominent school bands.
A gifted multi-instrumentalist, Osei was best known for his passion for the saxophone, a love he cultivated while studying in the western town of Sekondi.
Osei moved to London in the early 1960s on a government scholarship to study music and drama.
During this time, Osei formed a band called Cat’s Paw, which blended the vibrant rhythms of highlife – a popular West African genre – with the energetic styles of rock and soul.
In 1969, Osei co-founded the pioneering Afro-Rock group Osibisa alongside fellow Ghanaian musicians Sol Amarfio and Mac Tontoh.
The band’s name, Osibisa, comes from a word in the Fante language, meaning “highlife”.
Osibisa’s fusion of Afrocentric sounds with rock, soul, jazz, and funk put them on the global music map as one of the first African bands to gain international recognition.
Osei’s contribution to the success of Osibisa is undeniable.
His crucial input towards the group led to chart successes in the UK with singles like Sunshine Day and Dance the Body Music.
Their live performances left audiences in awe the world over, leading to extensive tours across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
One of their key performances was at Zimbabwe’s independence celebrations in 1980, where Bob Marley and the Wailers also performed.
Osei’s dedication to promoting African music on the global stage has left an indelible mark on the international music industry.
In 2021, he told The Guardian he ventured into music because he “wanted to make a difference to the African music scene.”
Without Osibisa, Osei said, there would have been no Fela Kuti, widely regarded as the godfather of Afrobeat.
His contributions served as a cultural bridge that connected diverse audiences through the universal language of music.
“Osibisa gave Africans confidence in their own music,” Osei once said, reflecting on what he considered his greatest achievement.
His passing marks the end of an era, but his musical innovations and the pathways he forged for African artists will endure, continuing to inspire and resonate with future generations.
[BBC]
Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is in China for a state visit, in Beijing on Thursday.
During the meeting, Li emphasized the enduring friendship between China and Sri Lanka, which has lasted for over a thousand years.
China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to implement the strategic consensus reached by the two heads of state, continue the traditional friendship, deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, and jointly build a community with a shared future, Li said.
“Over the past 68 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the relationship between the two countries has withstood the test of international changes and has maintained a steady and healthy pace of development,” Li added.
He said that China is ready to strengthen the docking of development strategies with Sri Lanka, jointly work for the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, promote cooperation projects such as the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port, expand cooperation in green development, the digital economy, agriculture and maritime sectors, and continue to enhance economic and trade exchanges to achieve more fruitful results.
China is willing to import more high-quality products from Sri Lanka, and encourages capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Sri Lanka, Li said, adding that China hopes Sri Lanka will continue to optimize its business environment and provide more convenience and security for Chinese enterprises.
The two sides should continue to deepen exchanges in culture, tourism, youth, sports, media, and other areas, he added.
China is willing to work with Sri Lanka and other Asian countries to practice true multilateralism and safeguard common interests, Li said.
Dissanayake said that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the well-being of the people, has made remarkable achievements in economic and social development, and has fostered state-to-state relations based on mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation.
China has made important contributions to global peace and development, which Sri Lanka deeply admires, Dissanayake added.
Sri Lanka thanks China for its valuable assistance in realizing national independence and economic and social development, Dissanayake said, adding that the Sri Lankan government attaches great importance to relations with China, always abides by the one-China principle, and appreciates and supports the three global initiatives put forward by the Chinese president.
Dissanayake said Sri Lanka is willing to learn from China’s experience in poverty alleviation and industrial development, push for more substantive results in bilateral cooperation in fields such as economy, trade, investment, energy, science and technology and infrastructure construction, strengthen communication and coordination in international multilateral affairs and write a new chapter in bilateral relations. ■
Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is in China for a state visit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 16, 2025. [Xinhua]
[Xinhua]
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Ghanaian music legend who founded Afro-rock band Osibisa dies
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