July 15, Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court has mandated that former President Maithripala Sirisena settle the outstanding compensation of Rs. 100 million owed to victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage by August 30, 2024.

Ex-President Sirisena had previously paid Rs. 58 million towards the compensation but requested an additional six years to pay the remaining amount, which was disclosed during proceedings before the Supreme Court.

In January 2023, the Supreme Court ruled on a case involving Sirisena and other former officials implicated in the failure to prevent the Easter attacks despite prior intelligence.

Alongside Sirisena, former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando was ordered to pay Rs. 50 million, former State Intelligence Service Director Nilantha Jayawardena and former Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara were each directed to pay Rs. 75 million, and National Intelligence Chief Sisira Mendis was instructed to pay Rs. 10 million in compensation to the victims.

The verdict followed hearings of 12 petitions brought by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, victims’ families, Catholic clergy, and others before a seven-member bench led by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya.

July 15, Colombo (LNW): The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has lodged an intervening petition urging the dismissal of Attorney-at-Law Aruna Laksiri’s petition challenging holding of the upcoming presidential election.

SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna filed the intermediary petition in court today (15), coinciding with the scheduled hearing of Attorney-at-Law Aruna Laksiri’s Fundamental Rights (FR) petition seeking to halt the Presidential Election.

The FR petition is set for deliberation before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court chaired by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, alongside Justices Arjuna Obeysekera and Priyantha Fernando.

In his petition, Attorney-at-Law Aruna Laksiri argues for the suspension of the Presidential Election, citing the improper passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in Parliament.

He advocates for a referendum to rectify this constitutional issue, asserting that holding the election under current circumstances violates Sri Lanka’s Constitution.

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1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasises peaceful progress over violence, citing the “Urumaya” programme’s role in granting 47 freehold land deeds to 4,012 individuals in Anuradhapura: praises regional development efforts, education enhancements, and infrastructure projects like Tambuttegama College: calls for national unity, highlighting economic recovery initiatives and the transformative impact of the “Urumaya” programme aiming to grant land rights to 2 million people for sustainable development.
   
2. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) files an intervening petition seeking the dismissal of Attorney-at-Law Aruna Laksiri’s petition challenging the presidential election: SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna filed the petition before the court today, as Laksiri’s Fundamental Rights petition, questioning the legality of the election due to procedural issues with the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, is set for hearing.
   
3. The National Trade Union Coordination Centre, through its Convenor Wasantha Samarasinghe, declares at an NPP rally in Dambulla that it will refrain from initiating or backing strikes until Anura Kumara Dissanayake ascending to presidency: criticises the government’s handling of state sector salary issues and affirms readiness to challenge and replace the current administration.
   
4. In preparation for the upcoming presidential elections, the government plans to limit bilateral engagements, postponing visits from UAE and Maldives leaders: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit is still anticipated before elections, pending confirmation of dates: President Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to announce the election schedule around July 30 or 31, with polling scheduled between September 17 and October 17.
   
5. President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s initiative aims to distribute 116,000 scholarships in 2024, totalling Rs. 5 billion across various educational programmes: This includes Rs. 824 million for 6,000 G.C.E. (A/L) students and Rs. 3600 million for 100,000 grades 1-11 students: Additional funding supports student monks and telecommunications students: Detailed allocations by district emphasise equitable distribution managed by the President’s Fund, urging prompt school applications.
   
6. State Minister Arvind Kumar announces plans to elevate 19 National Colleges of Education to universities and increase Zonal Education Offices to 120: Emphasising educational reforms, he highlights teacher recruitment for languages like Korean and German, aiming to enhance job prospects: The initiative expects to expand student enrolment and produce 7,500 teachers annually: addresses issues of school funding, teacher welfare, and upcoming elections, urging public support for ongoing presidential initiatives.
   
7. University executive-grade non-academic staff resum work today (15) following discussions with University Grants Commission Chairman, Prof. Sampath Amaratunge: In contrast, the Railway Station Masters’ Union issues an ultimatum, threatening an indefinite strike if their demands are not presented for Cabinet approval and resolved by tomorrow (16).
   
8. Senior DIG Waruna Jayasundara suggests the perpetrators of the recent ‘Club Wasantha’ murder may have military or police backgrounds due to their skilled use of firearms: Emphasising a thorough investigation, he aims to apprehend the shooters and uncover those behind the crime: further discusses recent successes in capturing suspects linked to another murder, involving weapons allegedly used in the crime.
   
9. Sena Yaddehige, Chairman of Richard Pieris Group, faces imminent arrest upon returning to Sri Lanka over allegations of sexually assaulting a woman business analyst: The Kollupitiya Police obtained a travel ban against him following a complaint from the woman, alleging assault at a Kollupitiya hotel in May: Yaddehige reportedly left the country on the day of the incident and has not returned, with police awaiting his arrival to enforce the ban.
   
10. Galle Marvels secures a thrilling super over victory against Dambulla Sixes in their LPL match at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium: After both teams tied with 148 runs, Maheesh Theekshana’s crucial bowling and a decisive super over by Alex Hales guided Galle Marvels to victory: Reeza Hendricks starred with 72 runs for Dambulla Sixes, but couldn’t prevent their defeat in the tournament’s first super over game on Pink Day for breast cancer awareness.

July 15, Colombo (LNW): Senior DIG Waruna Jayasundara has indicated that the individuals involved in the recent Club Wasantha murder are likely highly skilled, potentially with military or police backgrounds, judging by their proficiency with firearms.

In an interview with journalist Chamuditha Samarawikrama, DIG Jayasundara stressed the need for a comprehensive investigation to apprehend the shooters and uncover the masterminds behind the crime.

He underscored the importance of exploring all leads to determine the suspects’ backgrounds and affiliations.

Discussing recent successes, Jayasundara noted that the STF had recently captured two shooters linked to a murder in Kolonna, seizing firearms believed to be used in the crime.

Investigations revealed the involvement of “Rotumba Amila,” a member of an international drug syndicate, in orchestrating the murder plot, he added.

Responding to queries about weapons found at Club Wasantha’s residence in 2020, Jayasundara confirmed the STF’s discovery and subsequent handover of the weapons to local police for further inquiry.

Regarding their current status, he stated he lacked information as the STF’s role ends with arrests, leaving follow-up investigations and legal proceedings to the jurisdiction of local police and courts.

July 15, Colombo (LNW): The government will award 116,000 scholarships in 2024 under President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s initiative to support the education of underprivileged children.

A total of Rs. 824 million has been allocated to provide Rs. 6000 per month for 24 months to 6000 G.C.E. (A/L) students.

Additionally, Rs. 3600 million will fund a programme granting Rs. 3000 per month for 12 months to 100,000 students from grades 1 to 11.

Rs. 288 million is designated for scholarships to student monks, Sheela Matha, and lay students in Piriven and Sheela Matha educational institutions.

Moreover, Rs. 720 million will support scholarships for students studying telecommunications for their G.C.E. (A/L) exams.

More than Rs. 5000 million will be allocated across various scholarship programmes, including:

• Colombo District: 242 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 4866 grade 1-11 students.
• Gampaha District: 240 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 6234 grade 1-11 students.
• Kalutara District: 180 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 4390 grade 1-11 students.
• Jaffna District: 300 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 3544 grade 1-11 students.
• Mannar District: 120 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 1030 grade 1-11 students.
• Vavuniya District: 120 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 1298 grade 1-11 students.
• Mullaitivu District: 120 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 1028 grade 1-11 students.
• Kilinochchi District: 120 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 956 grade 1-11 students.
• Kurunegala District: 364 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 8392 grade 1-11 students.
• Puttalam District: 120 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 4046 grade 1-11 students.
• Batticaloa District: 300 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 3436 grade 1-11 students.
• Ampara District: 420 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 4340 grade 1-11 students.
• Trincomalee District: 300 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 2972 grade 1-11 students.
• Badulla District: 360 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 5410 grade 1-11 students.
• Monaragala District: 240 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 2994 grade 1-11 students.
• Ratnapura District: 240 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 5642 grade 1-11 students.
• Kegalle District: 180 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 4524 grade 1-11 students.
• Kandy District: 360 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 6472 grade 1-11 students.
• Matale District: 240 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 2894 grade 1-11 students.
• Nuwara Eliya District: 300 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 4940 grade 1-11 students.
• Galle District: 240 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 4410 grade 1-11 students.
• Matara District: 240 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 3644 grade 1-11 students.
• Hambantota District: 180 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 3330 grade 1-11 students.
• Anuradhapura District: 300 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 5360 grade 1-11 students.
• Polonnaruwa District: 177 G.C.E. (A/L) students and 2456 grade 1-11 students.

The President’s Fund will manage the scholarship allocations, with details provided by Zonal Education Offices. Schools yet to apply for scholarships are urged to do so promptly.

Additionally, President Ranil Wickremesinghe will preside over a ceremony to award 5,000 scholarships to student monks in Colombo.

July 15, Colombo (LNW): Sena Yaddehige, Chairman of Richard Pieris Group, is set to be arrested upon his return to Sri Lanka due to allegations of sexual assault involving a woman business analyst from the company.

The Kollupitiya Police secured a travel ban from the Fort Magistrate against Yaddehige following a complaint from a 39-year-old woman who claimed he assaulted her on May 7 at a high-end hotel in Kollupitiya.

The woman, who had been working remotely for the company, stated she was informed of Yaddehige’s return and requested to meet him, during which the alleged incident occurred.

Yaddehige reportedly left the country on the same day and has not returned since.

Kollupitiya Police have confirmed they are awaiting his arrival to enforce the travel ban and proceed with the arrest.

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