News
SJB files three FR pleas challenging attempts by police to prevent public protests
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) on Friday filed three Fundamental Rights petitions in the Supreme Court seeking an order that attempts made by police to prevent protests using quarantine regulations violated the peoples’ fundamental rights.
The petitions were filed by three parliamentarians, Ranjith Maddumabandara (SJB General Secretary), Harshana Rajakaruna and Mayantha Dissanayake.
The petitioners named IGP Chandana Wickremaratne, Director-General of Health Services Asela Gunawardena, Health Minister Pavithra Devi Wanniaarachi and the Attorney General as respondents.
The petitioners pleaded that the guidelines by the Director-General of Health Services are illegal, unlawful, discriminatory and infringes the fundamental rights of the petitioners and the public.
The petitioners argued that the Director-General of Health Services does not have the right to issue such guidelines to be adhered to in public places.
The petitioners further said the highhanded actions of the police are unlawful and illegal by violating the Fundamental Rights of the citizenry.
They are seeking a declaration that the Petitioners’ fundamental rights under Articles 12(1), 13, 14(1)(a), 14(1)(b) and 14(1)(c) guaranteed under the Constitution have been infringed by the respondents.
The petitioners said that the law relating to preventive measures of pandemic diseases is contained in the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance No.3 of 1897 (as amended).
The Petitioners further said that they have been made aware of a letter dated 6.7.2021 bearing number PMD/PR/845/21 titled “Conducting various protests by creating a health hazard” issued by the Police Media Division to all media entities, concerning a letter bearing No. DDG(PHS)1/DO2/7/13/2017/20 of the Director-General of Health Services informing there is a high possibility of the risk of spread of the Covid-19 virus by large public gatherings such as protests and therefore the general public ought to refrain from organizing large public gatherings and protests.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation to provide the required provisions to purchase the green gram harvest in a competitive manner with the private sector by expanding the program initiated by the National Food Promotion Board, on the advice of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation,
Green gram has been cultivated in an area of about 16,500 hectares in the 2025 Yala Season and intermediate season and a harvest of about 14,600 metric tons of green gram is expected. Currently, green gram harvesting has started in the Hambantota district, and it has been reported that middlemen are buying the harvest for a low price of Rs. 450/- per kilogram.
Approval has been granted at the cabinet meeting held on 08-02-2021 to award 326 bridge construction contracts to the State Development and Construction Corporation for the construction of bridges across the island under the Rural Bridges Program.
The construction of a further 23 bridges has been assigned to the Road Development Authority.
It had been decided in the year 2022, to stop the construction of 184 bridges, where construction had not been initiated. The construction of 45 bridges from the 142 remaining bridges have already been completed.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban
Development to recommence the construction of the remaining 74 bridges by the State Development and Construction Corporation and to complete the construction expeditiously.
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 16.06.2025 to repeal the Parliamentary Pension Act No. 1 of 1971 of the State Council.
In keeping with the promise given to all Sri Lankans who supported the vision of ‘A wealthy country – A beautiful life’ which appeared in the policy declaration of the Government, a draft bill has been prepared by the Legal Draftsmen for
repealing the Parliamentary Pension Act with the objective of cancelling pensions rights given to elected members of the Parliament and their spouses.
As the Attorney General has given clearance to the draft bill, the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Justic and National Integration to publish the said draft bill in the government gazette notification and subsequently to be presented to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Vijayakanth Viyaskanth added to Sri Lanka squad for tri-series
Purchasing of 2025 green gram harvest
Cabinet approves the completion 74 bridges under the Rural Bridge Program
‘Heartbroken’ Alcaraz pulls out of Davis Cup Finals
Parliamentary Pension Act No. 1 of 1971 to be repelled
Cabinet nod to appoint Dr. (Eng.) K. Waligepolage as Director General of Irrigation
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Foreign News2 days agoSearch continues for Royal Navy crew member missing off Donegal coast
-
Sports6 days agoAn opportunity missed for Sri Lanka
-
Features6 days agoMiss Universe 2025 More ‘surprises’ before Crowning day!
-
Opinion7 days agoContributions of Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka and its future role
-
News6 days agoOxford Walk raises $13,000 for rural communities in Sri Lanka
-
Features5 days agoTraffic chaos in Kandy: Urgent government intervention needed
-
Business6 days agoDialog and MEPA Unveil Sri Lanka’s First 5G-Enabled Autonomous Water-Surface Cleaning Robot
-
Features6 days agoThe ‘Art’ of Diplomacy