The Court of Appeal issued an order dismissing without examination the writ petition that had been filed requesting a directive to disqualify Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala from holding a parliamentary seat and to nullify his position as a Member of Parliament.

This order was delivered by the bench comprising Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mohammed Laffar Thahir, and Justice Sarath Dissanayake.

This petition was filed by Renuka Perera, the Administrative Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). 

The respondents named in the petition were Minister Ananda Wijepala, the Secretary General of Parliament, and the Attorney General.

The petition stated that Ananda Wijepala was appointed as the Minister of Public Security by the President on November 18. 

It also cited a report published in the Sunday Times on December 10, which claimed that Wijepala had been appointed as the Chief of Staff to the President.

The petitioner argued that, under Article 91 of the Constitution, individuals holding positions in the public service are disqualified from being elected to or sitting in Parliament. 

He further contended that the position of Chief of Staff to the President constitutes a public service role, and therefore, Ananda Wijepala was not eligible to hold a parliamentary seat under such circumstances.

(News1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today (May 07), has been remanded until May 20 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. 

The arrest stems from allegations that, during his tenure as Minister of Media, Health, and Environment, Rambukwella appointed friends, relatives, and political allies to positions within his personal staff. 

These individuals were allegedly paid salaries and allowances from ministry funds without performing any official duties, resulting in a financial loss to the state amounting to Rs. 8,005,814.

It is further alleged that these funds were used to pay salaries to political supporters and staff at party offices, constituting an unlawful and improper use of public money.

In an official statement, the CIABOC confirmed that Rambukwella was arrested in connection with 03 separate corruption charges.

Former Director of the National Lotteries Board – Thusitha Halloluwa, has requested a new date to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The summons relates to an ongoing investigation into an allegedly defamatory and false statement made against President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The complaint was filed by a group of lawyers representing the National People’s Power, who urged the CID to launch an urgent investigation and initiate legal action. 

He was summoned to appear at the CID today to provide a statement in this regard.