News
State Minister Diana’s citizenship issue: Website launched to educate public

Court ruling on Oct 18
Civil society activist Oshala Herath yesterday (21) said that he had launched a special website (www.dianagamage.info) to inform the public of his case against State Minister Diana Gamage over the citizenship issue.
One-time head of New Media an outfit established by yahapalana President Maithripala Sirisena emphasized the importance of winning public support to pressure the powers that be to take corrective measures.
The Court of Appeal will deliver its verdict on Oct. 18 in respect of the petition filed against the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List MP. Gamage, who switched her allegiance to the ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa soon after being appointed one of the seven SJB National List MPs following the last parliamentary poll conducted in Aug 2020.
The petition sought the annulment of Gamage’s NL seat on the basis of her being a British citizen.The Court of Appeal three-judge-bench comprising Justice (President)
Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne, Justice K.K.A.V. Swarnadhipathi and Justice M.A.R. Marikkar on Sept. 14 announced that the judgment in respect of this petition would be delivered on Oct. 18. The parties were directed to file their written submissions before October 4.
SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara is the fourth respondent in the unprecedented case. Herath said that public response was vital and the media, including social media, could play a significant role in efforts to address such issues.
Earlier the Court of Appeal dismissed petitioner’s request for a fuller bench of five justices of the Court to determine State Minister Diana Gamage’s citizenship matter. The appeal has been made in terms of Article 140 of the Constitution.
At the onset, the first time entrant to parliament was accused of holding British and Sri Lankan dual citizenships. However, counsel for petitioner Herath and fourth respondent Maddumabandara, Hafeel Farisz and Farman Cassim, PC, respectively, told the Court that the Controller General of Emigration and Immigration in his affidavit admitted the fact that his department has not issued a citizenship certificate to Diana Gamage though she claimed to have relinquished her British citizenship.
Shavindra Fernando, PC, who appeared for State Minister Gamage moved the court to dismiss the petition as it was contrary to the Court of Appeal rule 3(1)(a) of 1990. The counsel argued that the petitioner relied on a statement given by the lawmaker to the CID which he said was inadmissible in accordance with the Evidence Ordinance (SF)
Business
Cabinet nod to celebrate centenary of Tea Research Institute from 9th November to 14th November 2025

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Facilities to hold the 26th Session of the Intergovernmental Group on Tea of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the 4th Annual Meeting of the Asian Tea Alliance to commemorate the Centenary Anniversary of the Tea Research Institute in Colombo from 9th November to 14th November in 2025 and to take necessary steps in that respect.
Latest News
Cabinet green light to establish the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of Sri Lanka (AAIBSL)

The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports ad Civil Aviation to prepare the relevant draft bill to establish the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of Sri Lanka (AAIBSL) in accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka Act No. 34 of 2002
News
Protection of Rights of Elders Act No. 9 of 2000 to be amended

The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment to instruct the Legal Draftsmen to prepare a draft bill to amend the Protection of Rights of Elders Act No. 9 of 2000
-
Features5 days ago
They came, they won, they returned to Jaffna isles
-
News7 days ago
UK confirms ongoing war crimes investigation into British mercenaries in Sri Lanka
-
News5 days ago
ITAK candidate elected B’caloa Mayor as NPP seeks alliance with Pillayan
-
Features3 days ago
As I remember, from 50 years ago: the 75-80 Katubedda Engineering Batch
-
Opinion6 days ago
Prof. Dissanayake honoured for oustanding contribution to Sinhala literature
-
Midweek Review7 days ago
‘Aragalaya’ could have been thwarted and GR’s presidency saved: Mahinda Siriwardana
-
Business7 days ago
Beyond the Numbers: The real costs and benefits of migration for migrant mothers
-
News6 days ago
Enhanced security for Israelis in Sri Lanka