News
Sirisena, others pay part of compensation to Easter Sunday carnage victims

By A.J.A. Abeynayake
Former President Maithripala Sirisena through his attorneys had filed a motion before the Supreme Court, seeking further time to pay the remaining sum of Rs. 85 million as compensation to the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks (2019).
The motion said that Sirisena had paid Rs. 15 million to the Office for Reparations as per the judgment delivered by the Supreme Court on 12 Jan. 2022.
It said that Sirisena would pay the remaining sum of Rs. 85 million in 10 equal installments of Rs. 8,500,000 per annum commencing from 30 June 2024 and ending on 30 June 2033.
Meanwhile, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara settled Rs.1.75 million from a total of Rs. 75 million.
Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando settled Rs.1 million out of his total compensation settlement of Rs. 50 million.
Former National Intelligence Director Sisira Mendis has settled Rs.5 million from his total sum of Rs.10 million.
However, former State Intelligence Services Chief Nilantha Jayawardena is yet to provide any payments from his sum of Rs. 75 million in compensation.
The verdict was issued after 12 petitions filed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, the families of the victims of the attacks, Catholic priests and several others were heard before a seven-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya.
News
Cabinet approves providing relief to the people of Myanmar

The People of Myanmar are facing immense hardships caused by the devastating earthquake on 28th March and as reported by the international media reports the death toll is over 2,700. Furthermore, it has been reported that many people are missing while, a large number of individuals have been injured and are receiving treatment.
Considering the long – term close relationship between the two nations as two Buddhist states, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to provide,
• A sum of United States Dollars One Million
• Transportation for the dry rations collected by Buddhist clergy and other donors
• To have a group of medical officers and health staff on standby for immediate departure to Myanmar if necessary
Latest News
Cabinet appoints ministerial committee to submit report on sanctions imposed on 04 Sri Lankans by the United Kingdom

Attention of the Cabinet of Ministers have been drawn on the decisions taken by the United Kingdom to impose sanctions on four Sri Lankan individuals recently, and have decided to appoint a committee comprised of three ministers to submit a report with recommendations on the further measures to be taken after studying the facts in the regard and to empower the committee to obtain the service of any officer/intellect deemed to have subject expertise in the relevant field and considered essential.
The committee will comprise of :
– Vijitha Herath Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
– Attorney – at – Law Harshana Nanayakkara Minister of Justice and National Integrity
– Aruna Jayasekara Deputy Minister of Defence
News
Revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme to be submitted for the concurrence of the Parliament.

Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 17.03.2025 to amend the Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme by increasing the value of the benefits already being payed under the scheme.
The revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme has been published by the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2429/02 dated 24.03.2025.
Accordingly, he Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Policy Plannng and Economic Development to submit the said revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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