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The Supreme Court today decided to suspend the Presidential pardon granted to former Parliamentarian Duminda Silva.

Court also ordered a travel ban on Silva and called for his passport to be confiscated. Furthermore, the Court has also ordered the CID to arrest the former parliamentarian.

The order was issued after hearing two petitions that had been filed by former MP Hirunika Premachandra and her mother Swarna Premachandra challenging the presidential pardon granted to Silva.

The Colombo High Court sentenced Silva to life imprisonment in 2016, over the murder of former MP Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, the father of former MP Hirunika Premachandra.

Although Silva filed an appeal at the Supreme Court against the decision, the Court upheld the verdict on the murder conviction by the High Court.

However, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa later granted a special Presidential pardon to Silva on 24 June 2021.

Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Ajith Rohana and several senior police officers have been transferred.

Accordingly, Senior DIG Ajith Rohana, the DIG in charge of Crimes and Traffic has been transferred to the Southern Province.

Senior DIG M. D. R. S. Daminda has received a transfer to Eastern Province.

Meanwhile, Acting DIG L. K. W. K. Silva has been transferred from the post of Senior DIG in charge of the Eastern Province to the post of Senior DIG in charge of the Crime and Traffic Division.

Sri Lanka Police said that all transfers have been made based on service requirements and approved by the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and the Public Service Commission.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification on institutions, scopes, and functions of Ministries.

42 state institutions including those connected to the Ministry of Defence will come under the purview of the President.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will oversee 57 bodies that come under the Ministries of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies.

The Treasury, Inland Revenue Department and Sri Lanka Customs are among the state bodies that are under the purview of the Premier.

The U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung called on the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today (27) at the Parliament Premises.

The U.S. Ambassador said that she hopes the government, including the new Prime Minister, would be able to bring about political stability and overcome the current economic crisis.

The Ambassador also emphasized the need to carry out the political reforms desired by the people and to safeguard democracy in the country.

Julie Chung further said that she hopes to enhance relations between the two countries through the Sri Lanka-USA Parliamentary Friendship Association.

She appreciated the role played by the Women Parliamentarians Caucus and discussed the need to increase the representation of women.

The Speaker also expressed his gratitude to the United States of America for its continued support to strengthening democracy in Sri Lanka.

This is the first meeting between Julie Chung and the Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena since her appointment as US Ambassador to Sri Lanka.

The wife of former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Shashi Weerawansa, who was handed a two-year prison sentence for producing forged documents to obtain a diplomatic passport, has been granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

On 27 May, she was sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment after she was found guilty of obtaining a passport by submitting forged documents to the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

She was also imposed a fine of Rs. 100,000.

Subsequently, her attorneys filed an appeal challenging the prison sentence. They also submitted a bail application requesting the court to release their client on bail until the conclusion of the hearing of the appeal.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had filed the aforementioned lawsuit against Shashi Weerawansa in 2015.

The attorneys representing the wife of MP Wimal Weerawansa have filed an appeal challenging the two-year prison sentence handed down to their client earlier today.

The appeal was lodged before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, to be forwarded to the High Court.

Taking up Weerawansa’s appeal, Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawala said it would be called for consideration on the 30th of May.

Shashi Weerawansa was sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment this morning after she was found guilty of producing forged documents to obtain a diplomatic passport. She was also imposed a fine of Rs. 100,000.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had filed the lawsuit against Shashi Weerawansa during the administration of the Yahapalana Government, charging her with submission of falsified documents to secure a diplomatic passport.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says that the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson pledged to support Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister said that he held a discussion with Prime Minister Boris Johnson today (30), at which he briefed on the situation in Sri Lanka, and the UK Prime Minister then pledged support, especially in the fields of tackling climate change and assisting Sri Lanka in becoming an export oriented open economy.

During a discussion with @BorisJohnson today, I briefed him on the situation in Sri Lanka. He pledged to support us especially in the fields of tackling climate change and assisting Sri Lanka in becoming an export oriented open economy.

During a discussion with @BorisJohnson today, I briefed him on the situation in Sri Lanka. He pledged to support us especially in the fields of tackling climate change and assisting Sri Lanka in becoming an export oriented open economy.

— Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) May 30, 2022

India and Japan have agreed to work together on assisting crisis-hit Sri Lanka, the Japanese government said, following a recent meeting between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Fumio Kishida in Tokyo.

Mr. Modi and Mr. Kishida met on May 24 on the sidelines of the Quad summit and held bilateral talks on “close cooperation” to promote efforts to realise a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’, in addition to collaboration in spheres including defence, clean energy, and investment.

Following the meeting, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the leaders “discussed the situation in Sri Lanka and confirmed that they will cooperate with each other in light of the current economic crisis and deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the country.” Further, they “shared the view to work together to develop Indo-Pacific Economic Framework into an inclusive framework that will bring substantive benefits to the region,” according to a statement.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs made no specific mention of Sri Lanka. “The two leaders exchanged views on recent global and regional developments. They noted the convergences in their respective approaches to the Indo-Pacific and reaffirmed their commitment towards a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region,” read its May 24 statement.

For over half a century, Japan has been one of Sri Lanka’s top donors and development partners, although its grants and investments have received much less attention compared to those from China or India.

Japan’s announcement of collaborating with India to help Sri Lanka, assumes significance, coming shortly after Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal that Quad members— United States, India, Japan, and Australia — take the lead in setting up a foreign aid consortium to assist Sri Lanka, that is reeling under the worst economic crisis since Independence. India has extended about $ 3.5 billion assistance since January this year, by way of loan deferments and credit lines for essential imports.

Japan’s initiative also comes despite Colombo scrapping two major infrastructure projects with Japanese involvement. In September 2020, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ordered the termination of a $ 1.5-billion Japanese-funded light rail project, on that basis that it was not a “cost-effective solution”. In early 2021, Sri Lanka ejected Japan and India out of a trilateral project to jointly develop a container terminal at the strategically located Colombo Port, causing considerable diplomatic tensions. India’s Adani Group was subsequently roped in to develop another terminal at the same port.

Meanwhile, addressing the ‘International conference on the future of Asia’ organised by Nikkei virtually, Mr. Gotabaya said Sri Lanka “urgently requires” assistance of friends in the international community “to ensure that our immediate needs in terms of the importation of essential medicines, food supplies, and fuel are met.”

Japan “remains one of Sri Lanka’s key development partners”, the Sri Lankan President said, expressing hope that ongoing negotiations on “bridging funds” from Japan would soon conclude. “We are also in urgent need of bridging financing to restore confidence in our external sector and stabilise our economy until the debt restructuring process is completed and an IMF programme commences,” he said, while thanking India, Sri Lanka’s “close friend and neighbour”.

Colombo earlier sought India’s help in securing bridge financing to cope with the downturn, until an International Monetary Fund package materialises. The government is in talks with IMF on debt restructuring after opting for a preemptive default on its foreign debt of about $ 50 billion.

Source: The Hindu

-Agencies

Social activist and YouTuber Rathindu Suramya Senaratne, popularly known as ‘Ratta’ was granted bail a short while ago.

Following his arrest by the Colombo Central Criminal Investigation Division affiliated to the Slave Island Police earlier today (30), ‘Ratta’ was taken to Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage’s official residence, where he was granted bail.

‘Ratta’ was arrested on several charges including illegal assembly, obstructing court proceedings and obstructing the duties of police personnel, in connection with a protest that took place in front of the Fort Magistrate’s Court when those arrested over the attacks on peaceful protesters at Galle Face and Temple Trees on May 09 were produced before the court.

He was arrested when he arrived at the Slave Island Police Station this afternoon to give a statement regarding the incident, and is due to be produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court tomorrow (31).

Six people including Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Parliamentarians Sanath Nishantha, and Milan Jayathilake who were arrested for attacking the #GotaGoGama and #MynaGoGama peaceful protests in Colombo on the 9th of May, were remanded until the 1st of June 2022.

When the suspects were escorted to the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court under armed guard, protestors had also gathered in the vicinity, demanding justice for the victims of the attacks.

Two men and another woman who were produced in an identification parade, but were not positively identified were granted bail by the Colombo Fort Magistrate.

Further, the Magistrate ordered the Inspector General of Police to provide reasons for not implementing the instructions given by the Attorney General to transfer Senior DIG in-charge of the Western Province Deshabandu Thennakoon.

Additional Solicitor General Ayesha Jinasena, who appeared before the court, said that the Attorney General had written to the IGP on the 23rd to transfer the senior DIG.

She also said that the IGP had received intelligence on the 8th of May regarding a pro-government march from Temple Trees to the President’s House.

The Additional Solicitor General said that the IGP had instructed Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon in writing to take appropriate action as there could be a breach of the peace as the group had planned to cross Galle Face.

However, the Magistrate noted that it does not appear the Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon had taken measures to prevent the incident, based on the facts submitted to the court.

President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne, who appeared for the protesters, expressed surprise at the failure to arrest Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon despite reports that he was having a conversation with MP Sanath Nishantha, a suspect in the incident.

The CID officers who appeared in court stated that the Senior DIG of the Western Province was not engaged in a conversation with the suspect but he had ordered the suspect not to commit any illegal act.

However, the magistrate said that the photograph submitted to the court did not show such an order but that he was having a cordial discussion with the suspect and proceeding with the procession.

A normal Monday morning on the 9th of May 2022, turned into a scene of chaos after pro-government supporters attacked the MynaGoGama protest site near Temple Trees following a meeting chaired by then-Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The meeting at Temple Trees was organized by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Local Government Members Forum and saw hundreds in attendance.

Following this meeting, the pro-government supporters attacked the MynaGoGama protest site near Temple Trees and dismantled the camp.

Thereafter, they moved to the main protest site in Galle Face known as GotaGoGama and destroyed several tents, and assaulted peaceful protestors.

Sri Lanka Police, the Riot Police, Sri Lanka Army, and other law enforcement agencies were called in to control the situation and Sri Lanka Police eventually imposed an island-wide curfew to control the unrest.

Following investigations, the MPs and several other local government members were arrested for their involvement in the attacks on the protest sites.

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says a new committee system will be introduced to strengthen the Parliament’s financial powers and a National Committee will be established to make the President and Prime Minister answerable to the Parliament.

He stated this while delivering a special statement on the 21st Amendment to the Constitution and proposed political reforms

The PM said that the country’s main issues today are not limited to the financial sector.

He said that at the same time, in the political sphere there are two major issues with one being the need to do away with the 20th Amendment and the implementation of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution once again.

“With regard to that now, we as the party leaders are currently preparing the 21st Amendment,” he said.

The second is to work towards abolishing the Executive Presidency, he said, adding that the party leaders can decide on that time period and the method.

In addition to this, there is another issue with regard to the Parliament, the premier said.

He stated that because the parliament was weakened by the 20th Amendment to the Constitution and because the Executive obtained more powers, the process of the Parliament has been crippled.

“One of the main accusations today is that the Parliament is not working to end this economic crisis. The powers vested with the Parliament will increase through the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, however we cannot be satisfied by that alone.”

He stated that there is also an allegation that under the current Westminster cabinet system, the cabinet ministers controlled everything and due to the ruling party having a majority in the House the affairs of the parliament were neglected.

“We don’t always have to keep questioning what happened in the past. However, there needs to be a system to include the Parliament in the governance of this country,” he said.

“At the same time, we need to have transparency. The MPs of all parties need to convene those committees and work according to the policies and programmes, that is the environment we are creating.”

He stated that the existing laws need to be strengthened if parliament is to be given powers to execute financial powers. He also said that they are preparing to pass a set of new financial regulations after taking a look at the existing laws.

Wickremesinghe stated that are three committees related to the state’s financial affairs and that the Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena has presented several proposals to strengthen these committees and further empower them.

He said that in addition to that they are also putting forward a proposal to establish two more finance-related committees, which include a ‘Committee on Ways and Means’ and a ‘Committee on Banking and Financial Services’.

He stated that these five finance committees and ten oversight committees will be chaired by backbencher MPs and not ministers.

He said they also need to pay attention to a crucial point. “What the youths are saying is that the existing system needs to be changed and they need to be aware of the current issues.”

Therefore he proposes that four youth representatives are appointed each of these fifteen committees with one of them from the Youth Parliament while the other three selected from the protesting groups and youth groups as decided by them.

He said in addition to this they also expect to get specialist with experts knowledge involved in this and that this will provide the youth with an opportunity to become aware of the issues and to present their solutions.

The Prime Minister also proposed to establish a National Council comprised of the Speaker, the Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader and the leaders of the major parties.

Speaking on the importance of this National Council, he said that it can discuss the country’s policies and the decisions of the Cabinet as well as discuss the reforms of the Parliament. He said it will be a political council with the authority to summon the Cabinet and the committee chairs.

“If there are any young representatives for this, those appointed separately, we can also consider that,” he said.

Wickremesinghe said that under this new system the President, the Cabinet of Ministers, committees and the National Council need to be answerable to the Parliament and thereby complete power will be vested in the House.

He said that several organisations have presented similar proposals. “Let’s consider those proposals as well and come to an agreement how the Parliament’s powers are implemented in the future.”

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa pointed out the need to implement languages and vocational training programmes targeting job vacancies that are available in countries including Japan, Poland and Romania for skilled workers in various fields.

The President made these remarks at a discussion held at the President’s House, Colombo, this morning (25) to review the progress of the programme to direct the skilled workers to foreign employment markets.

The President pointed out that in the face of the current economic setback, special attention should be paid to generating foreign exchange as well as seizing foreign employment opportunities.

By producing skilled workers, more opportunities can be created for the highest paying careers. There is a high demand for nursing in many countries, including Europe, said the President Media Division.

The Bureau of Foreign Employment estimates that there are more than 350,000 job vacancies in elderly-care and catering industry in Japan alone. Knowledge of the Japanese language is mandatory in this regard, it added.

The President said that Japanese language programmes should be implemented immediately with the participation of private and public sectors, including the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority, the Vocational Training Authority and the Foreign Employment Bureau.

Special attention was paid to the removal of barriers faced by any person currently in the public service or an employee recruited under the Multipurpose Scheme when leaving for foreign employment.

Foreign Employment Promotion Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said that the opportunity should be made available when applying for foreign employment in a manner that does not affect seniority.

The Minister pointed out that they could be encouraged to bring foreign remittances by providing vehicle import licenses, housing loans and facilities for school children.

The Minister also said that attention should be paid to securing employment opportunities through the intervention of the embassies.

Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Chief of Staff to the President Anura Dissanayake, Secretaries to the Ministries and Heads of Line Institutions were also present.