Colombo (LNW): Privileges granted to Parliament members to arrive through VIP terminals at the airport without inspection must be removed, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said, in response to the controversy surrounding MP Ali Sabri Rahim, who was recently caught with a bag of undeclared items.

Condemning the MP using his parliamentary privileges to do as he pleases, Amaraweera said he endorses any motion to abolish Rahim’s position as a member of Parliament.

The Minister made these comments at a meeting in Hambantota recently.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): The SINOPEC Fuel Oil Lanka (PVT) LTD responded to the claims made by certain parties that it had procured agencies to manage certain aspects of its operations, stating that they are false.

In a statement, SINOPEC clarified that they categorically deny these claims and emphasise that they have not engaged any external agencies or third parties to handle any part of their fuel station operation or related business activities.

The company further stressed that SINOPEC has no intentions whatsoever to transfer any right of the licence of fuel station supply to any other entity, and that they are committed to upholding the integrity and reliability associated with their brand.

SINOPEC reserves the right to take further legal measurements to protect its brand image, it added.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): The Judicial Service Association of Sri Lanka (JSASL) raised strong concerns over the proposed appointment of Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Tikiri Jayathilaka and another official at the Attorney General’s Department to the High Court, in a letter addressed to the President dated May 26, 2023.

The Union reminded that Jayathilaka previously served as a Magistrate since 2006 until he resigned to take over his appointment as an Assistant Secretary to the Parliament of Sri Lanka, and that his request to assign him to the parliamentary staff as a secondment was refused by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for apparent reasons.

“As such, his exposure to non-legal institution was deemed to be disqualification to reassume duties as a member of the judiciary at any future stage. Consequently, his candidacy to re-enter the judiciary is quite contrary to the prior JSC decision that has already been taken concerning Mr. Jayathilaka’s reoccupation in the judiciary,” the JSASL said.

The Union warned that the President’s decision on the matter was detrimental to the independence of the Judiciary, especially the independence of the judges of the trial courts.

It added that it believes that the President may pay immediate and close attention to this issue concerning the functioning of the judiciary without interference.

Colombo (LNW): Ven. Rajangane Saddhatissa Thero who came to spotlight via social media has been arrested by the Police, over the allegation of making derogatory comments against religious harmony.

The Thera was arrested based on a complaint lodged by Ven. Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thero.

The Thera is to be produced before the Fort Magistrate Court today (29).

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): The Colombo Magistrate Court has ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to obtain DNA samples of the mother of businessman Dinesh Schaffter who died in mysterious circumstances last year, in order to confirm the samples obtained from the deceased during the second post-mortem examination.

The late businessman’s remains were exhumed on May 25, based on a request made to the Court by the Committee of Medical Experts appointed investigate his death. Subsequent to the exhuming of Schaffter’s remains, Police security had been provided around his grave at the Borella Public Cemetery.

On December 15, 2022, Schaffter was found with his hand tied and strangled inside his own car near the Borella Public Cemetery and was pronounced dead after being hospitalised.

His death was speculated to be murder, but the claim still remains inconclusive.

The Homicide and Organised Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is conducting investigations into the death of Schaffter.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya ordered the CID to obtain DNA samples of the late businessman’s mother in order to confirm the samples obtained from him during the second post-mortem.

Colombo (LNW): Stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya, who was arrested yesterday (28) over allegedly making a ‘disrespectful remarks’ involving Buddhist philosophy and culture, was remanded till June 07 as ordered by the Fort Magistrate.

Edirisooriya was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) earlier yesterday at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) based on multiple complaints lodged by several concerned individuals.

The stand-up comedian was dragged into hot water after making controversial remarks about Buddhist philosophy and culture at a stand-up comedy show known as ‘Fool’s Pride.’

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): The GCE Ordinary Level Examination 2022 commences today (29), announced the Commissioner General of Examinations.

Accordingly, the Ordinary Level Examination will be held at 3,568 centres islandwide, with 472,553 candidates sitting.

1. Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management Chairman Shirantha Peiris says all Sri Lankan hotels are operating with less than 50% of the required staff: explains that during the pandemic, some employees found other means of employment while others went overseas creating a huge vacuum.
   
2. National Institute of Education Director General Sunil Nawarathna says the Education Ministry plans to introduce Artificial Intelligence to the school curriculum in 2024 with an emphasis on robotics, machine learning, data mining, computer vision and related technologies.
   
3. JAAF Secretary General Yohan Lawrence says the Apparel industry has been experiencing a reduction of around 20% in orders due to a global slowdown for the past 7 months: also says the slowdown may continue for another 5-6 months: notes some retailers are not placing new orders as they already have excessive inventories accumulated during the pandemic period.
   
4. Self-styled Prophet Pastor Jerome Fernando issues another apology for his recent remarks about Lord Buddha and other religious figures which stirred controversy in the country: on May 15, President Ranil Wickremesinghe ordered the CID to launch an immediate investigation into the matter.
   
5. Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekera says the weekly fuel quotas will be increased from midnight on Tuesday (30), as follows: registered taxi 3-wheelers increased to 22L: other 3-wheelers & motor-cycles to 14L: cars and vans to 40L: buses and lorries to 125L.
   
6. Fort Magistrate remands stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya, who was arrested over her allegedly disrespectful remarks on Buddhist philosophy and culture, until June 7.
   
7. Commissioner General of Examinations says Ordinary Level Exam (2022) will commence today at 3,568 centres islandwide, with 472,553 candidates sitting the exam.
   
8. Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya orders CID to obtain DNA samples of the mother of the businessman Dinesh Schaffter who died in mysterious circumstances in order to confirm the samples obtained from the deceased during the 2nd post-mortem examination.
   
9. Cricket selectors pick Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne to return for white-ball cricket for the upcoming 3 match ODI series against Afghanistan: Karunaratne also expected to retain his place for the World Cup qualifiers later next month in Zimbabwe.
   
10. Top SL sprinter Yupun Abeykoon’s participation at this week’s Wanda Diamond League 2023 in doubt after an injury to his hamstring during the International Meeting Citta’ Di Savona earlier this week: Abeykoon to decide his participation in the June 2 race after a second MRI scan on Monday.