News

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has scheduled November 6 to hear the appeal filed by the convicted individuals in the high-profile rape and murder case of 18-year-old schoolgirl Sivagloganathan Vidya from Jaffna.

The decision was made before a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice P. Padman Surasena, Justices Achala Wengappuli, and Sampath Abeykoon.

The bench convened to consider the appeal petitions submitted by the defense counsel representing the seven individuals sentenced to death by the Jaffna High Court in 2017.

The defense attorney informed the court that it had taken over four and a half years to obtain Tamil translations of the case documents, which had delayed the appeal process. Citing this delay, the attorney requested an expedited hearing date.

Responding to the request, Chief Justice Jayawardena assured that a short date would be granted to ensure the appeal is heard promptly.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court fixed November 6 as the date for the hearing.

The original incident occurred on March 3, 2015, when Vidya was abducted, sexually assaulted, and murdered while returning home from school. The case sparked national outrage and led to widespread calls for justice.

In 2017, the Jaffna High Court sentenced seven individuals, including the main accused "Swiss Kumar," to death.

The convicts have now appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that the death sentence was unlawful and seeking acquittal.

Opposition parties today held a joint press conference in Colombo condemning the arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Speaking under the theme “Let’s defeat the constitutional dictatorship,” the parties accused the government of using the law to target political opponents. Leaders from several opposition groups said the detention of Wickremesinghe was part of a broader effort to weaken democratic institutions and silence dissent.

Former State Minister Diana Gamage has been released on bail after she appeared in court today through her lawyers.

She had a warrant out for her arrest after failing to appear for seven previous cases filed against her.

Gamage was released on a surety bail of Rs. 10 million by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama. Among the charges against her is that she remained in Sri Lanka without a valid visa.

Former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, named as a suspect in the 2015 Central Bank bond fraud case, has been issued a notice to appear before court on September 26.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali issued the order yesterday, following a request by the Bribery Commission.

Although a notice was issued last year to Mahendran, who is reportedly in Singapore, officials informed court that it had not been properly executed.

Accordingly, the Bribery Commission requested that the notice be reissued in English. The Chief Magistrate granted the request and issued the order.

The Bribery Commission has filed the case alleging that the government incurred losses from the sale of bonds worth over Rs. 10 billion to Perpetual Treasuries Company during a Central Bank auction on February 27, 2015.

Former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera has been further remanded until 8 September by Mahara Magistrate Janitha Perera on charges of selling state-owned land by forging documents.

Ranaweera and four others were arrested in connection with the case, which involved a plot of land in Kiribathgoda.

Former Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha member Milroy Perera and an individual named Sarath Kumar were also remanded until the same date.

Ranaweera and Milroy Perera were not physically present in court as the hearing was conducted via Skype.

The United National Party (UNP) held a press conference earlier today (23), raising concerns about the motive behind the arrest and detention of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

During the briefing, the party’s assistant leader, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, said that while they respect the judiciary, social media discussions have raised concerns of political prosecution following the former President’s arrest.

He also played a recording of Ranil Wickremesinghe, made before his arrest yesterday, in which the former President is heard saying, “I have always worked for the country, not for a personal agenda. What we see today is the true picture of this regime.”

Western Province Governor Haniff Yusoof has firmly denied recent rumors suggesting his resignation from office, calling them "baseless and false."

In a statement released via social media platform X, Governor Yusoof reiterated his unwavering dedication to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s vision for national transformation.

The Governor emphasized that he remains fully engaged in the mission to rebuild the nation without pause or hesitation.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was transferred from the Prison Hospital to the Colombo National Hospital earlier today, has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital, Dr. Rukshan Bellana, said doctors recommended moving him from the Emergency Treatment Unit to the ICU due to his medical condition.

Hospital sources reported that Wickremesinghe was transferred following a deterioration in his health.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has confirmed that it will launch an islandwide strike in all government hospitals from 8.00 a.m. tomorrow (Monday).

The GMOA said the decision was taken over what it described as corrupt and arbitrary practices by Health Ministry officials in relation to the medical officers’ transfer process.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today, has been remanded by the Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Wickremesinghe has been remanded until 26th August after being produced before the court today.

Ranil Wickremesinghe became the first former head of state to be arrested in Sri Lanka, after being taken into custody by the CID this morning, after recording a statement in connection with an overseas trip.

He was summoned before the CID with regard to an ongoing probe into an overseas visit to London that investigators say included private events but was financed by state funds.

Ranil Wickremesinghe is accused of having misused state funds during his visit to the United Kingdom in late 2023, during his presidency.

According to a police B-report submitted to a Colombo court, the former president travelled to the United Kingdom to attend his wife’s PhD graduation ceremony at the University of Wolverhampton on September 22 and 23, 2023.

The visit, which had no official government purpose, was tacked onto Wickremesinghe’s state trip to Cuba and the United States, with the president flying from the U.S. to Britain for this private event.

A delegation accompanied him on the London leg, and roughly Rs. 16.9 million in Sri Lankan government funds were spent on the trip.

The Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, announced that postal trade unions have agreed to suspend their ongoing strike.

He made this statement to the media following discussions held with trade union representatives today.

However, the unions emphasized that their trade union action would continue until the agreements reached during the discussion are officially provided to them in writing.

Meanwhile, Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara said that necessary steps will be taken to provide the agreements in writing.

A special felicitation program organized by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) in honor of Dr. Nanda Malini was held on August 22 at the Kumaranatunga Munidasa Hall of the Corporation, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The purpose of this program was to pay tribute to the great service rendered by Dr. Nanda Malini for more than nearly seven decades to the field of music in Sri Lanka as well as to the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. As a token of appreciation, a building of the Corporation was also named after her and ceremonially opened.

Accordingly, within the premises of the Corporation, a portrait of Dr. Nanda Malini was unveiled, and its 9th Cabin was officially declared open under the name Dr. Nanda Malini Building” by the Prime Minister together with Dr. Nanda Malini herself.

Thereafter, addressing the ceremonial gathering, the Prime Minister stated:

Seventies years ago, a little girl came to this Broadcasting Corporation to sing for the children’s program ‘Lama Pitiya.’ On that day, she sang the first song ‘Dura Pawane Me Kulu Guwane.’ Recognizing her extraordinary vocal talent, Dr. Pandit Amaradeva offered her the opportunity to sing for Sri Lanka’s first color film ‘Ran Muthu Duwa.’ That little girl singer recorded her voice at this very Corporation for the beautiful lyrics ‘Galana Gagaki Jivithe Dayalu Lokaye.

Today, the opening of a building of the Broadcasting Corporation in the name of that very girl is indeed a remarkable occasion. That is Dr. Nanda Malini who is an epitome of music in this nation.

Nanda Malini was never just another name in our musical tradition. Beginning with Ran Muthu Duwa, her artistic journey was never limited merely to conventional themes such as love and separation. She fearlessly directed her voice toward contemporary issues of our nation such as oppression, corruption, violence, and social injustice.

The voice of Dr. Nanda Malini is an Intangible Cultural Heritage of this country. The joy you have given us, the inspiration drawn from your songs, and the strength you provided to this nation even in its darkest times through your music, we are deeply grateful for that noble service.

This occasion was graced by the presence of the Venerable Pathegama Gnaneswara Thero and Maha sangha, Rev. Saman Maximus, Minister of Health and Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Deputy Minister of Health and Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne, Chairman of the SLBC Prof. Udhitha Gayashan Gunasekara, along with artists and a large number of distinguished guests.