February 08, Colombo (LNW): The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has come under scrutiny for initiating legal proceedings against Pastor Jerome Fernando, a self-proclaimed prophet in Sri Lanka, for alleged illegal assets in a jurisdictional area distant from the incident.

Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage expressed strong disapproval of the CID’s handling of the case, questioning why it was not brought before the nearest judicial authority, a report by Daily News disclosed.

The Magistrate’s inquiry followed reports that a case had been filed against Pastor Jerome in the Mount Lavinia Court under the Money Laundering Act for purported illegal assets.

Asserting his intention to seek clarification from the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) on the matter, the Magistrate also indicated that disciplinary measures might be taken against the CID for not adhering to proper jurisdictional procedures.

Additionally, the Magistrate ordered that the case against Fernando be scheduled for a hearing on April 3, 2024.

February 08, Colombo (LNW): In a concerted effort to address crimes and harassment in public transportation, law enforcement authorities conducted a specialised operation resulting in the arrest of 42 individuals.

Among the apprehended individuals, 18 were detained on allegations related to sexual harassment, while five were held for pickpocketing offenses, Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon disclosed.

Tennakoon elaborated that the arrests were made by plainclothes police officers stationed in densely populated areas and transportation hubs, including bus terminals.

This strategic deployment aimed to proactively deter and intercept criminal activities occurring within the public transportation network.

February 08, Colombo (LNW): L.K. Jagath Priyankara, representing the National Freedom Front (NFF), has been officially sworn in as a Member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

Priyankara was sworn in before the Speaker, assuming the parliamentary seat left vacant by the passing of former State Minister Sanath Nishantha.

Designated as the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Member of Parliament for the Puttalam District, Priyankara fills the position previously held by the late Sanath Nishantha.

A Gazette notification promptly announced Jagath Priyankara’s appointment to Parliament, thereby fulfilling the seat left vacant by Nishantha.

Subsequently, the National Election Commission officially declared Jagath Priyankara as a MP, representing the electoral district of Puttalam.

Priyankara holds membership in the National Freedom Front (Jathika Nidahas Peramuna), led by MP Wimal Weerawansa.

February 08, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has left Sri Lanka earlier this (08) morning to participate in the 7th Indian Ocean Conference in Perth, Australia.

His attendance expects a key note address from February 09 to February 10 at the conference, according to a statement by the President’s Media Division.

Invited by the India Foundation and the Government of Australia, he will also explore investment opportunities for Sri Lanka during the event.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe leaves for Perth, Australia to participate in the 7th Indian Ocean Conference at the invitation of the India Foundation and Govt of Australia: expected to deliver the keynote address and to “explore investment opportunities for SL”.
   
2. Presidential Secretariat issues Gazette to bring the Online Safety Act under the purview of the Ministry of Public Security.
   
3. Reports emerge that SL is not likely to join Operation “Prosperity Guardian” in the Red Sea to counter attacks mounted by Yemen-based Houthis: previously, the possibility of SL deploying 2 vessels to support the US-led operation was discussed after President Wickremesinghe declared an intention to join the multinational maritime task force.
   
4. State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage confirms that the Cabinet had already approved the export of cannabis: previously, Minister Bandula Gunawardena had dismissed claims that a proposal had been presented to the Cabinet on cultivating cannabis for export.
   
5. Central Bank says Official Reserve Assets have increased 2.3% to USD 4,491 mn in Jan’24 from USD 4,392 mn in Dec’23: also says it includes the SWAP facility from China of around USD 1,400 mn, which is subject to conditionalities on usability: analysts point out however that about USD 8,000 mn is now in default as “unpaid”, after the CB Governor & Treasury Secretary announced bankruptcy on 12th April’22.
   
6. Wife of late Minister Sanath Nishantha who was recently killed on the Katunayake Expressway, lodges a complaint with the CID stating that there are suspicions over the late Minister’s death: requests the CID to investigate.
   
7. Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage questions as to how the CID filed action before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court against Pastor Jerome Fernando under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, contrary to the accepted Court jurisdiction: observes the CID has no authority to arbitrarily determine the judicial jurisdictions when filing a case, as these have been established through a gazette notification.
   
8. President Ranil Wickremesinghe stresses need for a long-term, robust nation building programme: says he will introduce an “Economic Transformation Act” to enable the required economic transition: invites presentation of alternative methods for national reconstruction: expresses readiness to engage in discussions with top officials the IMF & World Bank in that regard: appeals for unity in nation-building despite political differences: calls on SJB, JVP, Tamil parties & Muslim parties to follow the example set by the SLPP, and join in a collective effort for the country’s progress.
   
9. SJB & Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa walks out of the Parliament Chamber when President Ranil Wickremesinghe begins to present the Govt’s policy statement at the opening of the 5th Session of the 9th Parliament: however, several SJB MPs including Sarath Fonseka, Rajitha Senaratne, Kumara Welgama, Faisal Cassim, A H M Fowzie, Vadivel Suresh and Ishaq Rahman remain in the Chamber.
   
10. Top spinner Prabath Jayasuriya climbs 3 places to the 6th position in the ICC’s Men’s Test Bowling Rankings after his impressive 8-wicket haul in the one-off Test against Afghanistan: another bowler, Asitha Fernando also rises 7 spots to 34th position, after taking 6 wickets in the same match.