Colombo (LNW): The Kalutara High Court today (10) pronounced the death penalty on three individuals convicted of a murder that was committed in 1992 in Keeranthidiya area.

These individuals were involved in a fatal attack on a person using clubs 31 years ago.

While the third, fourth, and fifth accused received the death sentence, the first accused was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment with an additional fine of Rs. 300,000. Should the fine go unpaid, he faces an extra two-year prison term.

The Welipenna Police initially arrested the suspects, and after preliminary evidence was heard at the Mathugama Magistrate Court, the Attorney General filed charges against them at the Kalutara High Court.

The Court learned during the proceedings that the second accused had died due to cancer.

Colombo (LNW): The Fundamental Rights (FR) petition lodged by Ministers Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara challenging the decision by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to suspend their party membership is set to be heard before the Supreme Court on October 12, 2023.

This was when the case was taken up before the three-member Supreme Court Bench today (10).

As per the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the attorneys for the respondents emphasised that the case should be resolved within two months of its filing.

The ministers had their party membership suspended in May 2022 after accepting ministerial roles while facing potential disciplinary action from the SJB.

Although they later resigned from their positions in July 2022, they were reappointed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe shortly after.

Colombo (LNW): Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Komura Masahiro, during his meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, expressed Japan’s commitment to support Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.

Masahiro praised Sri Lanka for its rapid economic stabilisation and the ongoing structural reforms aimed at fostering a conducive environment for foreign investments.

While in Sri Lanka for the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) meeting, he assured full support to Sri Lanka during its tenure as IORA Chairman.

Premier Gunawardena highlighted the strategic significance of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean and stressed close bilateral cooperation.

He also voiced concerns over the ongoing conflict in Gaza and its potential global ramifications. Additionally, he thanked Japan for its assistance in debt restructuring.

Colombo (LNW): Newly appointed Chairman of the Land Registration Commission (LRC), Attorney-at-Law Panduka Keerthinanda assumed duties today (10).

He currently serves as the Legal Advisor to Tourism and Lands Minister Harin Fernando and as the Chairman of the Tourism Advisory Committee.

Colombo (LNW): Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in North-central, Eastern and Central provinces and in Badulla, Kegalle, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Mannar districts during the evening or night, warned the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology in an advisory statement today (10).

There may be temporary localised strong winds during thundershowers, the statement added, urging the public to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by lightning activity.

It added that people should seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees, avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms, avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms, avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc., and beware of fallen trees and power lines.

Colombo (LNW): UK’s Indo-Pacific Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan is on a three-day visit to Sri Lanka, marking 75 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

This is her inaugural trip to Sri Lanka in this capacity.

Trevelyan highlighted the UK’s commitment to the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Ministerial hosted by Sri Lanka, emphasising collaborative programmes on climate mitigation, biodiversity, and the Glasgow Pact from COP26.

She praised the UK-Sri Lanka partnership on climate action, peace-building, and human rights and expressed a desire to boost security in the Indian Ocean region.

Trevelyan will be meeting key Sri Lankan officials, including President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, to discuss bilateral ties, climate finance, human rights, and justice reforms.

Her itinerary also includes a trip to Jaffna in the Northern Province to interact with regional representatives and inspect a UK-supported demining project.

Following Sri Lanka, Trevelyan will proceed to India to further the UK’s Indo-Pacific relations.