News
SJB alleges AG, CIABOC not responding to RTI queries

‘Colombo Chief Magistrate has exposed double standards’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) lawmaker Mujibur Rahuman says the Attorney General’s Department hadn’t responded to his query pertaining to the withdrawal of indictments in a number of cases following the last presidential election in Nov. 2019, whereas the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) side-stepped the query by sending only numbers of the cases.
The former UNPer alleged that both the AG and the CIABOC hadn’t responded positively to his queries submitted to them in terms of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
MP Rahuman made the appeal on 02 Nov, last year on behalf of the main Opposition party, SJB. A four-member parliamentary delegation consisting of Rahuman, J.C. Alawathuwala, Harshana Rajakaruna and Kavinda Jayawardana handed over the written appeal.
MP Rahuman submitted his application to the CIABOC on Nov 08, 2021.
Since then more cases had been withdrawn by the CIABOC, MP Rahuman pointed out, referring to the withdrawal of the case against Minister Johnston Fernando and 11 other cases. The SJB spokesman pointed out Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika C. Ragala on January 21 questioned the CIABOC over double standards in handling cases filed during the previous administration.
Chief Magistrate Ragala raised the issue when the Deputy Director General of the CIABOC informed him of their decision to withdraw 11 cases while continuing with a case filed against former Minister Kumara Welgama as the accused hadn’t requested in writing the case be dismissed.
The Chief Magistrate pointed out that there had been previous instances of the CIABOC withdrawing cases filed in his court in spite of accused not requesting for dismissal of cases.
MP Rahuman said that the government couldn’t turn a blind eye to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s observation. “We believe the Bar Association should make its position clear on dismissal of dozens of cases,” MR Rahuman said, declaring his intention to raise the issue at hand in Parliament.
The former UNPer pointed out that the indictments that had been filed during the tenure of Jayantha Jayasuriya, PC, in his capacity as AG were withdrawn when he served as the Chief Justice. Dappula de Livera, PC, succeeded Jayasuriya in late April 2019. Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, succeeded de Livera in May, 2021.
The Bill entitled ‘Right to Information’ was passed with amendments in Parliament during the previous administration.
Responding to another query, MP Rahuman said that the SJB sought (i) the number of indictments withdrawn after the last presidential election (ii) specific cases (iii) case numbers of the indictments and (iv) on what dates have the indictments and/or court proceedings filed by the AG and CIABOC after the last presidential election been withdrawn?
MP Rahuman said that the SJB requested an opportunity to examine relevant work, documents, records and take down notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or records and take certified samples of material.
Although the public knew of the cases withdrawn over the past two years, the SJB would use RTI to compel the AG and the CIABOC to explain the circumstances, he said.
“We would like to know how the AG and CIABOC decided on high profile cases,” MP Rahuman said adding that those institutions couldn’t ignore their concerns.
The SJB spokesman said that the CIABOC owed an explanation as to how the decision to drop all charges against former lawmaker and Foreign Ministry Monitoring MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena pertaining to the Mihin Lanka case was arrived at. That particular case dealt with misappropriation of public funds amounting to Rs 883 mn, the lawmaker said, while referring to the subsequent dismissal of cases involving one-time Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan, Johnston Fernando, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Basil Rajapaksa, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon and former Chief Justice Mohan Peiris. The former CJ now serves as Sri Lanka’s top representative in New York.
Those who propagated the ‘One Country, One Law’ concept as part of SLPP’s overall political strategy should first of all ensure the implementation of existing laws. The government shouldn’t under any circumstance circumvent the law for the benefit of its members, the MP said, pointing out that so many indictments filed against influential persons hadn’t been withdrawn in such a short period ever before.
The SJB MP said that they were in the process of gathering information pertaining to judicial matters though the CIABOC and the AG obviously didn’t want to help. “Once we obtain the official position as regards sensationally dismissed cases, the public can be briefed,” then the genuine Opposition in Parliament, the civil society and the media could pursue the matter, MP Rahuman said.
News
Voter apathy grows as never before: PAFFREL

Public’s interest in the upcoming Provincial Council elections remains low, according to the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL).
PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi told The Island that there was an urgent need to encourage voter participation, noting that a higher voter turnout is essential for a functioning democracy.
Hettiarachchi said that the current level of political campaigning has been relatively subdued, with fewer aggressive or violent activities than seen in previous elections—a trend he described as a positive development.
He, however, stressed that local councils play a vital role in the lives of citizens, from birth- to death-related services, and also contribute to the legislative process. As such, voters must understand their importance and engage in the electoral process.
Despite the peaceful nature of the campaign so far, PAFFREL has received 20 complaints regarding the misuse of state resources and 15 complaints related to physical assaults. Hettiarachchi, however, added that no major incidents have been reported to date.
By Chaminda Silva
News
Many foreign diplomats witness sacred relic exposition on first day

A group of 44 diplomats, including those from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, the Netherlands, India, Myanmar, Palestine, France, New Zealand, Cuba, Egypt, Japan, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Canada and South Korea, headed to Kandy, by train, yesterday morning, to witness the sacred relic exposition.
The group travelled to Kandy in a special observation saloon of a train that departed from the Colombo Fort Railway Station around 7:00 am.
The ‘Sri Dalada Vandanawa’, a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, commenced yesterday (18), and will continue till 27 April.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake, along with the ambassadors, high commissioners and other diplomats, participated in the inaugural event.
“This initiative aims to convey a message to Sri Lanka’s friendly nations that the country is recovering economically, overcoming previous challenges, and fostering national harmony. The event also seeks to strengthen international support for Sri Lanka,” the PMD said.
Yesterday (18), on the opening day, the public had the opportunity to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm From today (19) onwards, it will open for public veneration, daily from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.
News
Ahungalla shooting ordered from Dubai for failure to carry out contract killing

Police investigations have revealed that the shooting of a 27-year-old man in Ahungalla on Thursday night was a revenge attack. The motive is said to be his failure to carry out a contract killing assigned by a prominent underworld gang leader currently hiding in Dubai.
The 27-year-old victim, who was seriously injured in the attack, is currently receiving treatment at the Balapitiya Hospital. Investigations have further revealed that the attack was ordered by an underworld figure, known as “Abrew,” who is reportedly hiding in Dubai.
It has come to light that Abrew had given the young man a contract to kill a rival. However, since the contract was not carried out, the attack is believed to have been an act of retaliation.On the night of 17 April, around 9:48 pm, the young man received a phone call from an individual who instructed him to come and collect a packet of ice (a term commonly used to refer to crystal meth).
Accordingly, the 27-year-old arrived near the Revatha Primary School, in Balapitiya, Ahungalla in a three-wheeler. At that location, a hired gunman, who had arrived in another three-wheeler, fired three shots at him and fled the scene.
Despite being injured by one of the bullets hitting him, the young man managed to reach the Ahungalla Police Station in the same three-wheeler he had come in. Police officers then arranged for him to be admitted to Balapitiya Hospital for treatment.
By Hemantha Randunu
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