By: Isuru Parakrama

November 18, Colombo (LNW): The Attorney General’s office has disclosed that the Office for Reparations has collected Rs. 311 million in compensation for victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, in accordance with a previous Supreme Court ruling on petitions filed concerning the tragedy.

This update was presented to the Supreme Court by the Additional Solicitor General representing the Attorney General during the hearing of Fundamental Rights petitions linked to the attacks.

The court was informed that the funds have been secured, but details about the allocation and disbursement process remain pending.

Responding to this, the bench, comprising Justices Murdu Fernando, S. Thurairaja, and A.H.M.D. Nawaz, instructed the Additional Solicitor General to provide a comprehensive report detailing the mechanisms and status of compensation distribution to victims.

The court emphasised the importance of ensuring transparency and equity in disbursing these funds.

The report is to be submitted at the next hearing, scheduled for February 27, 2025.

The petitions under review were filed in pursuit of accountability and restitution for the victims of the coordinated bombings that targeted churches and hotels on 21 April 2019, claiming over 270 lives.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 18, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Examinations has announced that all lectures, tuition classes, workshops, and seminars related to the 2024 GCE Advanced-Level Examination will be strictly prohibited from midnight tomorrow (19).

This regulation is part of heightened measures to ensure the integrity of the upcoming examination process.

Officials have warned that any individuals or institutions failing to comply with this directive will face legal repercussions.

The department has emphasised its commitment to maintaining strict oversight this year, expanding its monitoring efforts to include personnel from both provincial and zonal offices in addition to its own officials.

To ensure comprehensive monitoring, one officer will be assigned to oversee activities at 20 examination centres within a 15-day period.

This approach aims to safeguard the examination process and uphold fairness across the board.

The 2024 GCE Advanced-Level Examination is set to take place from November 25 to December 20 at 2,312 centres nationwide.

A total of 333,185 candidates are registered to sit for the examination, marking it as one of the largest academic events in the country.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 18, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared that Sri Lanka has turned a significant page in its political history, marking the end of divisive politics.

Speaking after appointing the new Cabinet, the President highlighted the transformative nature of the recent election, which he described as a watershed moment for the nation.

For decades, Sri Lankan politics have been mired in regional and ethnic divisions, often fostering discord between the North and South.

Addressing this historical rift, the President remarked, “The political culture in Sri Lanka has long been defined by efforts to pit the North against the South and vice versa. However, this election has shown that divisive politics no longer hold sway. It has successfully brought the aspirations of all people to the centre.”

Dissanayake emphasised that with great power comes great responsibility, and acknowledged how power had led to disaster in the past in the island nation’s political landscape.

The President credited the electorate for rejecting outdated and polarising ideologies, embracing a new era of inclusivity and unity.

He added that the election outcome reflects the collective will of Sri Lankans from all walks of life to build a harmonious and progressive society.

In his address, the President extended heartfelt gratitude to all supporters who rallied behind the vision of the new government. He paid special tribute to Sri Lankan expatriates, recognising their unwavering commitment to the country’s future despite living abroad.

Additionally, he commended the energy and influence of young social media activists, who played a pivotal role in galvanising public support and shaping the discourse during the election campaign.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 18, Colombo (LNW): Former minister Lohan Ratwatte and his wife remain in remand custody following their involvement in a case concerning an illegally assembled and unregistered luxury vehicle.

The Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court extended Ratwatte’s remand until December 02, while his wife will remain in custody until November 22.

The couple was apprehended after police uncovered a luxury vehicle without a number plate at a property in Mirihana, reportedly owned by Ratwatte’s wife.

The discovery was made during a police operation initiated on a tip-off from the Mirihana Police. Authorities only established the connection to Ratwatte’s wife after locating the vehicle on the premises.

During initial questioning, Ratwatte asserted that his Coordinating Secretary, who had recently died by suicide in Kandy, had transported the car to the property without his knowledge.

He claimed he was unaware of both the vehicle’s presence and its ownership. Despite these statements, both Ratwatte and his wife were arrested and later produced in court, leading to their remand.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 18, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission of Sri Lanka is set to hold a significant meeting on 27 November to discuss critical issues related to the pending Local Government and Provincial Council elections.

This will mark the commission’s first formal gathering since the conclusion of the parliamentary elections, underscoring its focus on addressing pressing electoral matters.

A key item on the agenda will be the implementation of a court order regarding the Local Government elections. The commission aims to align its strategies with the judicial directive while addressing logistical and administrative challenges that have delayed the electoral process.

In parallel, financial provisions for these elections are expected to be included in the Vote on Account, which is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament in December.

Despite these preparatory steps, the exact dates for the polls have not yet been decided, and this issue is likely to dominate discussions during the upcoming meeting.

In a related development, the commission has reiterated its call for political parties to submit their National List MP nominees without delay. This follows the gazetting of nominees from several parties, although some have yet to comply.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 18, Colombo (LNW): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, arrived yesterday (17) led by Senior Mission Chief Peter Breuer, began its programme today (18) with discussions at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

The meetings come at a pivotal time for Sri Lanka, as the nation seeks to stabilise its economy after a debilitating financial crisis.

Following the discussions with CBSL, the IMF team is scheduled to meet President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and key ministers from the newly-formed government.

These high-level talks aim to assess the progress of reforms under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and chart the next steps in the recovery process.

At the conclusion of their visit, the IMF delegation is expected to host a press briefing, providing updates on the third review of Sri Lanka’s economic reform programme.

If the review is deemed successful, the IMF is poised to release the next tranche of its bailout package, further bolstering the nation’s recovery.

The IMF had approved a $2.9 billion EFF for Sri Lanka in 2023, disbursing funds in tranches over a 48-month period. The programme aims to address deep-seated economic vulnerabilities through structural reforms and financial stabilisation.

To date, Sri Lanka has received over $1 billion under the arrangement.