By: Isuru Parakrama

October 17, Colombo (LNW): Following a prolonged legal battle, the Galle High Court has delivered a death sentence in a homicide case dating back over two decades.

The accused, a 50-year-old resident of Imaduwa, was convicted for the deliberate killing of a man by electrocution on 6 February 2000, using an unauthorised electricity connection in the Koratuhenagoda area.

The court found that the defendant had intentionally set up the illegal connection, leading to the death of the victim, an action which was part of a premeditated plan.

The incident, which occurred within the jurisdiction of the Imaduwa police division, has been the subject of a lengthy judicial process, marked by extensive investigation and deliberation over the years.

The verdict was delivered on 16 October, with the High Court handing down the death penalty, bringing closure to a case that had remained unresolved for nearly 24 years.

This decision reflects the seriousness with which the court viewed the crime, particularly in light of the unlawful use of electricity as a method of murder.

The death penalty, although still legally permitted, is a subject of ongoing debate in Sri Lanka, with human rights advocates calling for its abolition.

Nevertheless, the court’s ruling reaffirms that severe punishment remains an option for cases deemed particularly heinous.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 17, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stressed the importance of boosting the efficiency of road development projects as a key strategy for advancing rural economic growth.

Speaking at a progress review meeting for the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, held at the Presidential Secretariat, the President outlined the need to streamline procurement processes to ensure wider community benefits.

Highlighting the risks of contract concentration in the hands of a few, the President advocated for a more inclusive approach, where local contractors and communities could play a greater role.

By doing so, he emphasised, the benefits of development projects would be more equitably distributed, helping to uplift rural areas and ensuring a stronger connection between infrastructure development and local economic prosperity.

A significant part of the meeting focused on the progress of ongoing projects, particularly the construction of the Kadawata-Mirigama segment of the Central Expressway.

The President underscored the importance of completing such high-impact projects, noting that strategic planning in the development of roads, ports, and airports is vital to accelerating national economic growth.

He highlighted how modernising these critical infrastructures could serve as a catalyst for broader economic improvements, benefiting industries and communities alike.

President Dissanayake also addressed concerns regarding environmental and community impacts, urging officials to adopt measures that mitigate any negative consequences of the road development projects.

He called for a balanced approach, ensuring that environmental sustainability, financial prudence, and the well-being of local communities are prioritised in the execution of these initiatives.

Timely and efficient project implementation, he noted, is crucial to avoiding delays and cost overruns, which could hinder the country’s development targets.

Additionally, the President emphasised the need to enhance safety protocols in railway development projects, particularly concerning the welfare of railway employees and the travelling public.

He urged ministry officials to ensure that safety measures remain a top priority in all aspects of infrastructure development.

Among those present at the meeting were Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, and K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, along with senior officials from the ministry’s affiliated institutions.

Their discussions also touched on future strategies for enhancing transport infrastructure, in line with the government’s broader objectives of economic transformation and sustainable growth.

1. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stresses the importance of enhancing road development efficiency to achieve rural economic growth, urging streamlined procurement to benefit local communities: emphasises the need for careful planning of highways, ports, and airports for economic progress: also calls for prioritising environmental, financial, and safety considerations in ongoing projects.
   
2. Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leadership refuses to accept the resignation of Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya National Organiser Hirunika Premachandra, despite her focus on her Colombo election campaign: SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara confirms Premachandra will remain in her role, whilst other party members can assist during the campaign: Premachandra insists she cannot oversee national activities while running in Colombo’s intense competition.
   
3. Former MP and Leader of Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Udaya Gammanpila accuses President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of committing ‘a greater crime than him being ever given damnation for’ for concealing a certain report pertaining to the Easter Sunday terror attacks, which he had previously claimed to have possessed, in retaliation to the ultimatum given to Gammanpila by Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath to hand it over to the government within three days: insists he will not make the report public with respect to the sensitivity of its content affecting national security, until the President himself unveils it: Previously, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader had claimed that he received the report which to date has not been made public record by any of the regimes in power: Herath accused him of ‘committing a crime’ for not revealing it.
   
4. Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa reveals scam farms recently busted in Sri Lanka resemble Myanmar’s cyber camps where Sri Lankans are stranded: These “scamming camps” operate covertly, with workers restricted from leaving but paid salaries: Locations are secured under false company pretenses, and equipment is brought in for global online scams: Over 150 foreign nationals, including Chinese, have been arrested.
   
5. The Police is seeking public assistance to identify two deceased individuals involved in separate incidents in Homagama and Kegalle: The first body, found in Homagama on 1 October, remains unidentified, and a post-mortem is underway: The second case involves a pedestrian killed in a road accident on 4 October in Molagoda, Kegalle: Authorities urge anyone with information to contact local police stations.
   
6. The government re-establishes the food policy committee to ensure essential items, including food, are supplied without scarcity and to control the rising cost of living: This decision, approved by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, involves multiple ministries, aiming for a coordinated approach to tackle food security and price stability challenges across the country.
   
7. Amidst escalating conflict in the Middle East, particularly Lebanon, Sri Lanka is taking measures to ensure the safety of its nationals in the region: Sri Lankan Missions are providing regular instructions for protection, whilst families in Sri Lanka can contact the Consular Affairs Division for updates on their relatives: Sri Lankans in the region are urged to follow safety guidelines closely.
   
8. The new government abandons plans to sell SriLankan Airlines but will restructure it for profitability: The President insists the airline should remain locally owned: Whilst it posted an operating profit in 2023, its debt is $1.2 billion: The restructuring aims to strengthen the airline’s finances, supporting tourism, which contributes significantly to the nation’s economy.
   
9. Sri Lankan-born attorney Vincent Perera was sworn in as the new Attorney General of Seychelles: pledges to uphold the rule of law and plans to enhance prosecutors’ skills through training: aims to tackle case backlogs and bring changes based on his international experience: replaces Frank Ally and will serve for four years, providing legal advice to the government.
   
10. Five Sri Lankan cricketers have been selected for the 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) starting in December: Thisara Perera will play for Dhaka Capitals, Angelo Mathews and Binura Fernando for Chittagong Kings, Lahiru Samarakkon for Durbar Rajshahi, and Pathum Nissanka will represent Fortune Barisal.

October 16, Colombo (LNW): The government has taken steps to re-establish the Food Policy Committee, initially formed in October 2022, to ensure the steady supply of essential items to the market and mitigate the rising cost of living. This decision, approved by the Cabinet, was presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The committee is tasked with overseeing the coordination of efforts across multiple sectors to prevent shortages of essential food items and control price hikes. It will include key officials such as the Secretary to the President, Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Secretaries from various ministries, including Finance, Agriculture, Health, Trade, and Energy, among others.

The re-established committee aims to take a collaborative approach to decision-making to ensure that market supply chains remain stable and essential goods remain accessible to the public.

October 16, Colombo (LNW): Dr. Chithran Hathurusinghe, Consultant STD Specialist at Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, revealed that 1,327 AIDS patients were identified in 2023 after testing donated blood samples. This announcement was made during the North Western Province AIDS Prevention Programme, held in conjunction with National AIDS Prevention Day.

Dr. Hathurusinghe expressed concern over the 27% increase in AIDS cases this year, with many patients falling between the ages of 15 and 29. Since 2003, the country has seen a steady rise in HIV/AIDS cases. He emphasized that the spread of HIV can be curtailed if early detection is achieved, with 95% of patients potentially able to reduce the virus to undetectable levels through proper treatment. However, current efforts have only identified 82% of cases.

In addition to AIDS, other sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis, have also been detected during blood donation screenings. Dr. Hathurusinghe stressed the importance of political support in effectively combating these diseases.

National STD and AIDS Prevention Programme Director, Dr. Vindya Kumarapeli, also addressed the event, alongside healthcare professionals, law enforcement officials, and representatives from voluntary organizations dedicated to AIDS prevention.

October 16, Colombo (LNW): Senior Advisor to the President on Economic and Financial Affairs, Prof. Anil Jayantha, has refuted media reports suggesting that the government has engaged in extraordinary borrowing following the appointment of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Addressing inquiries about allegations that local and foreign borrowings have surged since the new president took office, Prof. Jayantha clarified that the government is only conducting regular fundraising activities, such as selling treasury bills and bonds, to meet essential expenses and repay maturing debts.

“This is a standard process carried out by any government to ensure the smooth running of services and day-to-day operations,” he said. “There has been no special or unusual borrowing apart from the normal financial activities.”

Prof. Jayantha also pointed out that these fundraising operations, such as selling treasury instruments and collecting US dollars, have been in place prior to the current administration, and any claims of increased borrowings need to be carefully investigated.

He stressed that the Central Bank of Sri Lanka is responsible for maintaining the stability of the financial market, and its recent actions are part of the regular efforts to sustain economic balance. The professor reiterated that there is no basis for the claims of unusual financial activities and urged further scrutiny into the actual amounts borrowed from both local and foreign markets.