News

Gota re-summoned in Lalith-Kugan case

Published

2 years ago

October 19, 2022

editor

The Supreme Court today (19) informed the petitioner’s counsel to re-issue notices to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the kidnapping of two human rights activists Lalith Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan in 2011.

A fresh petition has been filed requesting to annul the Court of Appeal’s decision that former President Rajapaksa cannot be called to testify in the trial before the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court. It was taken up before the Supreme Court Judge-bench comprising of Justices Gamini Amarasekara, Yasantha Kodagoda and A. H. M. D. Nawaz.

Mr. Nuwan Bopage, the counsel who appeared for the petitioners, presented the facts in the court and informed that a notice has been sent to Mr. Rajapaksa, who is named as a respondent in the petition.

However, no lawyer appeared for Mr. Rajapaksa.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court informed the counsel of the petitioner to issue a notice to Mr. Rajapaksa again and ordered that the petition be called on December 15th.

The Jaffna Magistrate’s Court issued a notice to Mr. Rajapaksa, to appear on September 27, 2019 to testify in connection with a habeas corpus complaint filed by the relatives of Mr.Weeraraj and Mr. Muruganandan over their disappearance on December 10, 2011. Mr. Rajapaksa was the Defence Secretary in 2011.

Mr. Rajapaksa filed a motion in the Court of Appeal requesting an order suspending the Jaffna Magistrate’s decision citing that he could not visit the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court and give evidence due to threats to his life.

The Appeal Court which heard the case at that time ruled that Mr. Rajapaksa could not be summoned to testify since he had been elected the President.

The appeal petition has been submitted to the Supreme Court by the relatives of the disappeared requesting that the decision of the Court of Appeal is against the law. They said that Mr. Rajapaksa has now relinquished the office as the President and therefore sought an order directing him to testify.

News

Prof. Nalin de Silva no more

Published

10 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

Philosopher, intellectual and academician Professor Nalin de Silva has passed away at the age of 79. Prof. de Silva initially served as a professor in the Department of Mathematics and later as the Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Kelaniya.

He was also a former member of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In addition to his academic pursuits, de Silva also worked as a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Myanmar.

News

‘Company issuing visa at BIA not Indian or Indian based’

Published

14 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

The Indian High Commission in Colombo has issued a statement over reports of Indian companies taking over visa issuance at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

The statement notes “companies referred to in these reports are not India based or Indian and are headquartered elsewhere. Any reference to India in this context is unwarranted.”

News

Chaos at BIA raises questions (Video)

Published

16 hours ago

May 2, 2024

nipuni

Questions have been raised after chaos at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake last night (May 01) has sparked widespread outrage.

This is with regard to a controversial takeover of the on-arrival visa issuance process at BIA by an Indian company – VFS Global since yesterday evening.

It is learnt that the company has levied an extra $25 alongside the standard $75 fee.

Long lines of frustrated travellers were also seen at the airport for several hours, which is a stark difference to the procedure smoothly managed in a matter of mere minutes by the Immigration and Emigration Department in the past.

Footage of a Sri Lankan citizen expressing outrage over Indian nationals deciding visa matters for fellow Sri Lankans, has also been making rounds on social media.

Although 10 Sri Lankan and Indian officers had commenced work from 5.00pm yesterday, the lines remained well over 9.00pm. Amid tensions, higher officials of the BIA and security forces had also arrived at the premises.

At 11.30pm the company officials temporarily suspended issuing visas and left the BIA with the money collected, reports say.

Upon the directive of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Ilukpitiya, Immigration officers have commenced their usual duties with no issues since then, enabling the previous process to continue smoothly.

Concerns have been raised over the lack of transparency in this arrangement.