News
Writ application seeks protection for gay people against discrimination

By Chitra Weerarathne
Gay people should not be marginalised, several petitioners have complained to the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal on 30 Nov. will hear a Writ Application filed by a group of petitioners complaining that the police are conducting training sessions for their officers urging them to discriminate against ‘gay people’.
The petitioners have complained that the LGBTIQ community have equal rights, under Article 12(1) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka. They should not be marginalised. The police have conducted training sessions to their officers, claiming that gay people are mentally ill.
Among the petitioners are Rozanna Flamer Caldera, Dr. Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu and several others. The respondents include the IGP, the DIG Chandana Alahakoon of Kandy, and Ama Dissanayake (Psychologist).
President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena appears with Rukshan Senadheera and Manusha Dissanayake for the petitioners.
The Court of Appeal recently directed the petitioners to support the petition on 30 November with notice to the IGP and other respondents.
The bench comprised Justice Sobitha Rajakaruna and Justice Dhammika Ganepola.
Foreign News
Holy month of Ramadan begins for Muslims around the world

Aljazeera reported that the holy month of Ramadan began at sundown on Wednesday, as the faithful prepared for a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting intended to bring them closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate.
For the next 30 days, Muslims will refrain from eating or drinking anything from sunrise to sunset. Many will strictly observe prayers, read the Quran and donate to charity as they seek to draw closer to God. They are also encouraged to refrain from cursing, fighting, gossiping and road rage throughout the holy month.
Muslims believe God began revealing the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan more than 1,400 years ago.
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and is required for all Muslims, though exceptions are made for young children and the sick, as well as women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating. Travelers are also exempt, including athletes attending tournaments away from home.
News
Sri Lanka will have best anti-corruption law in South Asia soon – President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat with the heads of media organization on Thursday (23), that necessary steps will be taken to pass the best anti-Corruption Act in South Asia in Parliament soon
The President revealed that cabinet approval for the Bill has already been granted and said that he will discuss it with the Opposition representatives in the future and present it to the Parliament.
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News
Public sector will stop engaging in business and open it to the private sector in the future – President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that due to the public sector engaging in business activities, the money that was available for the construction of 100 projects similar to the Mahaweli during the past decades, has been lost and noted that in the future, the public sector will stop engaging in business and open it to the private sector to create a free and productive economy.
President Wickremesinghe mentioned this at the 71st commemoration ceremony of the late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake at Independence Square on Wednesday (22).
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