News
Writ application over Hizbullah’s detention withdrawn

By Chitra Weerarathne
Attorney-at-Law Hejaaz Hizbullah and his wife Maran Califa yesterday withdrew the writ application they had filed in the Court of Appeal against the third extension of his detention order.
Hizbullah was produced before the Fort Magistrate on February 18, 2021, and remanded.
He was arrested by the CID in connection with the Easter Sunday suicide blasts of April 21, 2019.
Hizbullah and his wife told the Court of Appeal, that since Hizbullah had been produced before a Court of law, it was not necessary to proceed with the Writ Application against his earlier unlawful detention.
Romesh de Silva, President’s Counsel, appeared with Niran Anketell and Shanka Cooray, instructed by Sanath Wijewardane Associates.
The Court of Appeal bench comprised Justice Sobitha Rajakaruna and Justice Dhammika Ganepola.
In the Easter Sunday carnage of April 21, 2019 Zahran Hashim led a group of Islamic terrorists in a series of suicide attacks targeting churches and leading tourist hotels, killing 256 and injuring more than 500.
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South Korean airline bans emergency seats after plane door opens

South Korea’s Asiana Airlines has stopped selling some emergency exit row seats following an accident in which a passenger opened an emergency exit door midair causing panic on board.
The incident took place on an A321-200 plane, which was carrying nearly 200 passengers, as it approached the runway at Daegu International Airport, about 240km (150 miles) southeast of Seoul. The plane landed safely but several passengers were hospitalised. There were no serious injuries or damage.
The airline told the AFP news agency on Sunday the emergency exit seats – 31A and 26A – on its 14 A321-200 jets would no longer be offered for sale. “As a safety precaution, this measure will apply even if the flights are full,” it added. It is however unclear how the move might stop passengers seated elsewhere on the plane from attempting to open the emergency door.
The man, in his 30s, was arrested by authorities in Daegu for allegedly breaking aviation security laws. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. He told Daegu police that he had been under a lot of stress after losing his job recently and that he opened the door because he wanted to get off quickly after feeling suffocated, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported on Saturday.
Video footage apparently taken by a person on board and posted on social media showed passengers’ hair being whipped about by air rushing into the cabin when the emergency door opened.
It is still unclear how Lee was able to open the emergency exit door mid-flight.
Jin Seong-hyun, a former Korean Air cabin safety official, said as far as he knew, this case was unprecedented, although passengers have opened emergency exits without authorisation while planes were on the ground.
A South Korean transport ministry official said it was possible to open emergency exits at or near ground level because the pressures inside and outside the cabin were similar.
(Aljazeera)
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Heat Index at Caution level in Northern, North-Central, North-western and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambanthota districts

Heat index Advisory Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre At 07.30 a.m. 28 May 2023, valid for 28 May 2023
Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is expected to increase up to ‘Caution’ level at some places in Northern, North-Central, North-western and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambanthota districts.
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GCE Ordinary Level examination commences on Monday (29)

The General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) examination 2022 (2023) will commence on Monday (29).
472,553 candidates have applied to to sit this years examination which will be held at 3568 examination centers
The examination will conclude on 8th June 2023
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