April 29, Colombo (LNW): In a case that revisited a brutal killing from over a decade ago, the Colombo High Court has delivered its final judgment against five individuals found guilty of a murder that occurred in 2012.

The court’s decision brings closure to a long-running legal battle surrounding the violent death of a young man in his early twenties.

High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe, presiding over the matter, handed down death sentences to three of the accused after they were found guilty of multiple charges, including the unlawful killing of a 21-year-old male victim, who was reportedly assaulted with a blunt object.

The attack, described in court as deliberate and premeditated, left the victim fatally wounded at the scene.

The remaining two accused, who were aged just 17 and 15 at the time of the offence, were spared capital punishment in light of their status as minors. The judge, taking into account their age at the time of the crime and in line with existing legal provisions on juvenile offenders, instead sentenced them to life imprisonment.

Their conviction, nonetheless, reaffirms the court’s stance on accountability, even for those who were underage when involved in such heinous acts.

The trial had been ongoing for several years, involving detailed testimony, forensic analysis, and a series of legal arguments regarding the nature of the crime and the roles played by each of the accused.

April 29, Colombo (LNW): Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has launched a blistering attack on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration, accusing the government of systematic dishonesty in its communications with the public.

Speaking to a crowd at a campaign rally in Matale yesterday, the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) leader pointed to what he characterised as a pattern of false statements from the highest levels of government, including President Dissanayake himself.

“The President claimed the US government would issue a joint statement regarding tariff negotiations, but in the end, only the JVP government issued a statement,” Premadasa told supporters. “This is just the latest example of how this administration misleads the public.”

The opposition leader’s criticism comes amid growing public scepticism about the government’s economic policies and diplomatic achievements. Multiple independent analysts have noted discrepancies between the administration’s public claims and verifiable outcomes, particularly in international negotiations.

“Don’t fall into their trap for the third time,” Premadasa warned the crowd, suggesting the current leadership had already deceived voters twice. “We are confident of winning this election.”

The rally, described by observers as well-attended, represents an escalation in campaign rhetoric as the May 6 local government elections approach. Since taking office, the SJB has positioned these elections as a referendum on the Dissanayake government’s performance.

Political commentators note that Premadasa’s focus on government credibility may resonate with voters frustrated by unfulfilled promises and persistent economic challenges despite the administration’s assurances of improvement.

The government has yet to respond to Premadasa’s specific allegations regarding the tariff negotiations with the United States.

New Memoir “From Political Prisoner to UN Advocate” Releases April 11, 2025

T. Kumar’s life reads like a movie script—gripping, courageous, and deeply inspiring. In his memoir From Political Prisoner to UN Advocate, Kumar charts his path from a young Tamil activist in Sri Lanka to a respected global human rights leader in Washington, D.C.

Imprisoned for over five years for his activism, Kumar didn’t just survive—he transformed. Behind bars, he studied law and became an Attorney-at-Law, setting the foundation for a lifelong mission: defending the voiceless and standing up for justice.

His journey took him from exile to lecturing future U.S. diplomats, working with Amnesty International USA, and even monitoring elections with President Jimmy Carter. Through every twist and turn, Kumar lived by a simple motto: go with the flow.

This powerful memoir is more than just a personal story—it’s a call to action and a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

“From Political Prisoner to UN Advocate” is available in hardcover from April 11, 2025.

April 29, Colombo (LNW): A significant step toward overhauling the governance of state-run commercial entities has been taken, with Cabinet ministers giving their backing to a draft proposal aimed at establishing a modern legal structure for the management of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).

The draft legislation, if enacted, will mark a fundamental shift in how public-sector commercial ventures are administered, with a clear intent to reduce political interference and improve operational efficiency.

Addressing journalists at a briefing held this (29) morning, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, explained that the initiative reflects the government’s wider ambition to transform the SOE sector into one that operates on professional, economically viable, and transparent lines.

He stated that state enterprises should no longer be allowed to remain a persistent liability on public finances and the broader economy, but instead be steered with a more performance-driven ethos, including through partnerships with both domestic and international investors.

The government’s position is that a legally enforced structural reform is long overdue, given the recurring fiscal burdens and allegations of mismanagement that have plagued the sector for decades.

Dr. Jayatissa noted that the draft bill, provisionally titled the “State-Owned Commercial Enterprises Management Bill,” proposes to insulate public enterprises from political patronage and instead enable the appointment of qualified professionals to key decision-making positions.

This would, in theory, align these enterprises with modern governance standards and enhance accountability.

To refine the draft legislation and ensure it reflects practical needs as well as policy intent, the Cabinet has also endorsed the formation of a dedicated review committee. This body will be responsible for scrutinising the bill and offering further recommendations to enhance its scope and applicability.

The committee is to be chaired by Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, who holds ministerial responsibility for Labour and serves as Deputy Minister of Economic Development.

He will be joined by Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, and Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe.

The proposed legal reforms are expected to regain public confidence in state institutions and ensure that public assets are managed not only responsibly, but also with a focus on long-term sustainability.

With many SOEs struggling with outdated structures, political appointments, and inefficient management, the new bill seeks to establish clear operational guidelines, performance benchmarks, and enhanced oversight mechanisms.

Although still in its early stages, the approval of the draft bill in Cabinet signals the administration’s intent to follow through on its promises of institutional reform.

It is also expected to pave the way for future discussions in Parliament, where the finer details of the proposed law will be debated and possibly amended before being passed into law.

By: Isuru Parakrama

April 29, Colombo (LNW): Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has claimed that cost-cutting initiatives implemented under his oversight have generated substantial monthly savings for the government, particularly since assuming duties as Chief Government Whip.

During a televised appearance on a current affairs programme, Dr. Jayatissa outlined the measures he personally adopted to scale back expenses tied to ministerial privileges and administrative costs.

Amongst the most notable actions, the Minister stated that he forgoes both his ministerial salary and parliamentary allowances, and has chosen to discontinue the use of luxury vehicles, including several high-end V8s previously at his disposal.

Fuel allocations for ministers, he revealed, have also been halved, and official residences have gone unused in the name of financial prudence.

Dr. Jayatissa pointed out that these personal decisions reflect a wider commitment by the government to curb unnecessary spending. He noted a drastic reduction in operational costs at the ruling party’s office since his appointment, stating that expenditure on personal staff for the Chief Government Whip’s office alone had been slashed from Rs. 7.6 million to just Rs. 200,000 per month—a claimed saving of Rs 7.4 million.

He also cautioned against local authorities mismanaging Treasury funds through imprudent projects. Citing instances where funds were used to build redundant bridges or culverts, he underscored that such wastefulness would undermine broader efforts at financial discipline.

The Minister insisted that every rupee spent from the public purse should be considered with utmost care and deliberation.

Addressing recent criticism related to government communication costs, Dr. Jayatissa responded to a claim made by NPP MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi, who alleged that the state had saved Rs. 98 million by not sending New Year greetings via SMS. According to the Minister, this figure was incorrect and traced to an unverified social media post, not an official source.

He acknowledged the error and clarified that whilst the intention was to highlight cost-saving measures, such inaccuracies must be avoided to maintain public trust. “Our movement stands for a shift in political culture, and part of that responsibility is ensuring accuracy in all public statements,” he said, adding that internal discussions had taken place to address the lapse and prevent recurrence.

In defence of the government’s handling of such missteps, Dr. Jayatissa stressed that mistakes made by a handful of party members should not be taken as a reflection of the entire administration. He pointed out that when such issues arise, the government does not shy away from acknowledging or correcting them, even during official Cabinet briefings.

Meanwhile, figures from former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s administration rejected the implication that New Year SMS greetings had cost taxpayers Rs 98 million, asserting that such messages were traditionally dispatched free of charge by telecommunications providers as a public service.

The Minister’s remarks come at a time when public demand for transparency and accountability remains high, and the country continues to grapple with economic recovery.

Dr. Jayatissa’s remarks, despite being met with some scepticism, aims to position the current leadership as one committed to rebuilding fiscal discipline and public confidence.

April 29, Colombo (LNW): Serious concerns have been raised after it emerged that numerous employees of the Education Department, who are standing as candidates in the upcoming Local Government elections, have unlawfully received their April salaries.

According to the Ceylon Teachers Union, this act contravenes both the election law and the country’s Establishment Code.

Speaking to reporters in Anuradhapura, Priyantha Fernando, President of the Ceylon Teachers Union, revealed that over 400 individuals attached to the Education Department – including principals, teachers, teacher advisors, and members of the non-academic staff – are contesting the forthcoming elections.

He highlighted that, as per legal provisions, any officer of staff grade contesting elections must formally resign, while all other employees are required to obtain no-pay leave during their candidacy.

Alarmingly, Fernando disclosed that an estimated 90 per cent of these candidates have flouted this mandatory procedure.

Drawing attention to the situation in the North Central Province, he noted that of the 48 teachers contesting there, only six have properly applied for no-pay leave, while the majority continue to draw their monthly salaries in breach of regulations.

He further stressed that this represents not just a technical infraction but a serious violation of public trust and accountability.

Meanwhile, Anuradhapura District Secretary and Returning Officer Ranjith Wimalasuriya confirmed the irregularity, warning that candidates who fail to comply with these legal obligations risk having their nominations cancelled.

He added that any individuals who have wrongfully drawn salaries must return the funds immediately in order to avoid facing disciplinary measures.