Former Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and former Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), Anusha Palpita, was further remanded until 20 February by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

The Court issued this order after considering the facts presented by the Bribery Commission and the attorneys representing the suspect.

Palpita was taken into custody and subsequently produced before the court on 23 January in connection with an investigation conducted, based on information received by the Bribery

Commission regarding the failure to disclose the source of assets amounting to Rs. 46 million, the Commission stated.

According to the Bribery Commission, Anusha Palpita arrived at the Commission on 23 January 23 was taken into custody after recording his initial statement.

The arrest was made on the charge of accumulating significant assets and property, exceeding his income, during a specific period, following an investigation into assets gathered beyond his legal earnings, within that time frame.

The Supreme Court had determined that no provision in the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill was inconsistent with the Constitution, and that it can be enacted by Parliament with a simple majority, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne informed the House yesterday.

Announcing the SC decision, he added that the Bill had been reviewed in accordance with Article 121(1) of the Constitution and was found to be fully consistent with constitutional provisions.

On 22 January, the Supreme Court concluded its review of the petitions filed challenging the Bill submitted to Parliament for the abolition of parliamentary pensions.

The petitions were submitted by a group of former Members of Parliament, who sought a determination from the Supreme Court that several clauses in the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill are unconstitutional.

Petitioners claimed that certain provisions of the proposed Bill violate fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.Accordingly, the petitioners requested the Supreme Court to rule that, if the Bill is to be enacted, it must be passed with a special majority in Parliament and approved by a public referendum.

The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for MPs was presented to Parliament on 07 January by the Minister of Justice and National Integration, Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara. A period of 14 days from that date was provided for the submission of petitions challenging the Bill.The Second Reading debate on the Bill is scheduled to be held towards the end of this month. Once the Bill is enacted, the pension entitlements of 512 former Members of Parliament will be abolished.

The Colombo District Court yesterday (06) ordered that the delivery of the verdict on the case filed by MP Dayasiri Jayasekara be postponed until 17 February.Jayasekara’s petition seeks an order directing the SLFP to allow him to function as the General Secretary of the party without any hindrance.

Although the order was scheduled to be delivered yesterday, the District Court announced that the pronouncement would be deferred to 17 February.

The plaintiff, Dayasiri Jayasekara, in his petition has stated that the District Court had previously issued orders recognising him as the General Secretary of the SLFP.

In his petition, he has requested the Court to issue the necessary directives to ensure he can carry out the duties of that office without interference, in accordance with the prior Court ruling.