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Supreme Court rules in favour of Road Development Authority in Passara bus accident case

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In a judgment delivered on Thursday (23), the Supreme Court concluded that the respondent parties including the Road Development Authority (RDA) did not violate the fundamental rights of the petitioner connected to the tragic Passara bus accident of 2021, which claimed the lives of 14 passengers and left 35 individuals injured.

The petition filed by three children and their grandparents,accused the RDA of negligence leading to the accident that resulted in their parents’ demise.The Court, while dismissing the Fundamental Rights petition, clarified that the respondents did not breach Article 12 (1) of the Constitution.

The incident occurred on 20 March 2021, at approximately 6:45 a.m., when a private bus from Lunugala to Colombocarrying about 60 passengers, veered off the road and plunged into a 250-foot precipice near the 13th milepost on the Lunugala-Passara Road.

The petitioners attributed their parents’ tragic fate to the RDA’s actions, inactions, or oversights, specifically referencing a previously obstructed road caused by a boulder following a landslide four months before the accident.

Acknowledging the bus driver’s negligence as a contributing factor to the fatalities, the petitioners stressed that the respondents, primarily responsible for road maintenance, failed in their duty to prevent the incident.

The Supreme Court acknowledged the RDA’s efforts to clear more than 40 landslides since the initial incident, including the boulder obstructing the road. The RDA’s explanation highlighted the risks involved in removing the boulder immediately after the landslide, considering potential dangers to nearby residences during the monsoon season.

The Court noted the precautions taken by the RDA, such as placing warning signs and illuminating stickers at the accident site, as evidence of their efforts to caution the public.

Justices Preethi Padman Surasena and Janak de Silva, concurring with Justice Priyantha Fernando, ruled to dismiss the petition without costs.Counsel Thusitha Wijekoon represented the Petitioners, while Deputy Solicitor General Lakmali Karunanayake appeared for the respondents.



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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]

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RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

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Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.

Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.

Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.

In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.

Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.

The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.

He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.

According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.

Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.

However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.

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