Colombo (LNW): The Colombo High Court today (12) sentenced nine Iranians to life imprisonment over the possession and trafficking of narcotics off the Sri Lankan coast four years ago.

In 2019, the Iranian nationals were apprehended on their fishing vessel with more than 100 kg of heroin, valued at over Rs. 1 billion. Subsequent reports at the time had claimed that an additional 500 kg of heroin had also been discarded in the ocean.

High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja delivered the life sentences after the accused admitted their guilt before the start of the evidentiary hearing on the matter today.

Furthermore, the High Court Judge decreed that the convicts should be extradited to Iran to serve their sentences, in compliance with the international treaty signed by Sri Lanka.

This verdict was produced after the defence solicitors confirmed that all the defendants had accepted the charges against them.

Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court today (12) commenced hearing a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition by Ministers Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando, over the decision by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to oust them from the Party for joining the government.

Justices Vijith Malalgoda, Achala Vengappuli and Arjuna Obeysekera presided over the proceedings.

Representing Minister Nanayakkara, Faiszer Musthapha PC argued to the judges that the primary opposition’s choice to suspend his client’s party membership was wholly unlawful.

According to the party’s constitution, he pointed out that only the Working Committee holds the authority to remove party members. He highlighted that neither the Party Leadership nor the Disciplinary Committee possess such powers.

The Disciplinary Committee’s sole responsibility is to bring charges against and investigate members who breach the party’s constitution, Musthapha emphasised.

He noted that despite Nanayakkara securing an injunction from the district court against a membership suspension, he was still dismissed from the SJB based on a notice from its general secretary.

Furthermore, Musthapha argued that the Supreme Court’s previous ruling supporting the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress’ (SLMC) choice to remove Minister Naseer Ahamed from the party does not apply to this situation.

The next hearing of the petition, which cites Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and SJB’s General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara as respondents, has been scheduled for October 24, 2023.

PMD: President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed government officials to prioritise the immediate requirements of Sri Lankan citizens residing in Israel, especially their safety, in light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Consequently, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel and relevant government departments have collaboratively initiated a special programme aimed at offering the utmost possible assistance to the Sri Lankan community living in Israel.

Sri Lankans working or residing in Israel for various purposes now have access to channels for directly informing Sri Lankan authorities in case of life-threatening situations or related difficulties. They could convey their needs or obtain essential information by reaching out through the following contact options:

Phone: (+94) 117966396
WhatsApp: (+94) 767463391
Email: [email protected]

The government emphasises that all Sri Lankans in Israel can avail of these services through established immigration procedures or any other appropriate method.

Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court has directed 16 state universities in the country to provide a report on ragging incidents over the past three years and the actions taken to curb them by 10th November 2023.

The order followed a Fundamental Rights petition by Pasindu Harshana de Silva, who suffered severe injuries in 2020 at Sri Jayewardenepura University due to ragging by senior students.

The case was taken up before Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Shiran Gunaratne, and Priyantha Fernando on 11th October.

Senior State Counsel Avanthi Perera appearing for the Attorney General’s Office said the Attorney General would no longer represent the universities but would continue to represent the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the University Grants Commission (UGC), and the Minister of Higher Education.

Some universities requested additional time to prepare their reports.

Representing the petitioner, Shavindra Fernando PC clarified that the petitioner seeks guidelines to prevent such incidents, not compensation.

The Supreme Court will reconvene on this matter on November 10, 2023.

Colombo (LNW): The Matara District Disaster Management Unit has issued a specific notice to students in Matara who are preparing for the forthcoming Grade 5 Scholarship Examination.

The Unit has asked parents of those sitting the exam and invigilators to notify them by 14th October if they anticipate any issues in reaching the examination venues.

Concerns can be relayed to the Disaster Management Unit in Matara via the hotline 117 or by calling 0412 234 134.

Colombo (LNW): The US Naval Ship (USNS) BRUNSWICK docked at the port of Colombo for an official visit yesterday (11), announced the Sri Lanka Navy in a statement.

This 103m-long Spearhead-Class Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel is manned by a crew of 24 and is under the command of Captain Andrew H Peretti.

Whilst in Colombo, the ship’s crew plans to explore some of the country’s tourist sites. The USNS BRUNSWICK is set to leave the island on 15th October.

Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka proposed the creation of a Joint Economic Council with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to enhance trade and investment ties.

This proposal was divulged during a meeting in Colombo between the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Dinesh Gunawardena, and the UAE’s Minister of State of Economic & Trade Affairs, Ahmed bin Ali Sayegh.

The UAE Minister agreed to begin official discussions to conclude the Cooperation of Economic Partnership Agreement, seeing the potential in various sectors, including trade, energy, hospitality, tourism, and renewables in Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Gunawardena pointed out UAE’s potential investment in agriculture, especially in the new economic zones.

He also thanked the UAE for its support and for employing around 300,000 Sri Lankans, with the UAE Minister highlighting the importance of Sri Lankan expatriates in both economies.

Attendees included members of the UAE delegation, MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Secretary Ranjith Ashoka, and Additional Secretary Harsha Wijewardene.