News

Resignation of Mullaitivu Judge raises concern: Jurist

Published

7 months ago

October 2, 2023

editor

The resignation of Sri Lankan Judge T. Saravanaraja raises serious questions about the independence of the judiciary in Sri Lanka, the Jurist Website said.

In the resignation letter, addressed to the Secretary of Sri Lanka’s Judicial Services Commission, Judge Saravanaraja cited the “threat of my life and … [a] lot of stress” as the reasons for his decision to step down.

Saravanaraja was a judge in the Mullaitivu District. Notably, Saravanaraja had recently presided over two significant cases, the website said.

“The first case involved a dispute over a religious site, Kurunthamalai. Saravanaraja ordered the removal of recently erected structures, including an unlawfully constructed Buddhist shrine situated atop Kurunthamalai.

“The second case pertained to the Sri Lankan government’s stifling of a memorial event honoring a deceased member of the LTTE. Additionally, in July 2023, Saravanaraja ordered excavations at a mass grave site in Kokkuthoduvai, adding to the growing list of sensitive issues in the region.

“Saravanaraja alleged that a senior official from the Attorney General’s Department invited him to his office on September 21 and, during that meeting, compelled him to reverse his order in the Kurunthurmalai case.

“Furthermore, Saravanaraja claimed that Sri Lankan Members of Parliament Sarath Weerasekera and other politicians threatened his life.

“The judge also said that his police protection presence had been reduced while intelligence officers continued to surveil him. Lastly, the judge stated that two cases were filed against him personally in Sri Lanka’s Court of Appeals in connection to his decision on the Kurunthamalai case,” the Jurist said.

News

Former Indian envoy to Sri Lanka enters politics

Published

36 mins ago

May 11, 2024

editor

Former Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu has joined India’s ruling BJP and is contesting the elections. After Sri Lanka, he also served in the United States.

He is a BJP candidate from the Amritsar seat and on Friday he declared his total assets worth Rs 39.92 crore, according to his poll affidavit, the NDTV reported.

Sandhu, 61, on Friday filed his nomination papers in Amritsar for the June 1 Lok Sabha polls.

According to his affidavit, Sandhu declared moveable and immovable assets owned by him and his wife to be Rs 10.88 crore and 29.04 crore, respectively.

News

Five Sri Lankans detained in Latvia for assisting illegal migrants

Published

39 mins ago

May 11, 2024

editor

Five Sri Lankans have been detained by the State Border Guards of the Republic of Latvia for allegedly transporting persons who illegally crossed the state border on Wednesday (08).

In Augšdaugava Municipality in Latvia, Border guards have stopped a Peugeot 307 driven by a citizen of Sri Lanka and another citizen of Sri Lanka, both with valid residence permits, was in the seat next to the driver. While checking documents, six persons of Afro-Asian origin were found to be in the car without travel documents, valid visas and residence permits, the State Border Guard of Latvia said.

Issuing a statement, the State Border Guard of Latvia stated that the border guards on suspicion of providing support to migrants also detained three other citizens of Sri Lanka, who were moving in a Volkswagen Polo car.

Criminal proceedings have reportedly been initiated against the detained Sri Lankans under Section285(1)(3) of the Criminal Law of the Republic of Latvia for knowingly ensuring persons the possibility to reside illegally in the Republic of Latvia, if it has been committed by an organised group.

The applicable punishment is deprivation of liberty for the period of two and up to eight years, the State Border Guard mentioned.

The suspected Sri Lankans were stopped from illegally crossing the state border in accordance with the Cabinet Order No 184 of March 12, 2024 “Regarding Declaration of the Reinforced Operating Regime of the Border Guarding System”, the statement highlighted.

(adaderana.lk)

News

Veteran journalist A.D. Ranjith Kumara no more

Published

24 hours ago

May 10, 2024

editor

Veteran journalist, artist and author A.D. Ranjith Kumara passed away today (May 10).

He passed away at the age of 77.

His remains will be laid at the Mahinda funeral parlour in Mt. Lavinia from 8.00am tomorrow (May 11) before being handed over to the Kotelawala Medical Faculty as per his final wishes.