News

2 more court orders over SJB protest rally (Update)

Published

1 year ago

January 30, 2024

nipuni

Another court order has been issued with regard to the protest rally of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) which will be held in Colombo this afternoon.

The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court prohibited blocking roads within its jurisdiction from noon today until 10 am tomorrow.

However, it designated the P. D. Sirisena Grounds and Hyde Park ground as safe spaces for protests, citing that there will be no restriction in exercising the freedom of speech.

At the same time, the Fort Magistrate’s Court also issued an order against Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and others from the SJB preventing them from entering into several roads in the Fort and Kompanna Veediya police jurisdictions.

These roads are:
Ceramic Junction to NSA Roundabout
NSA Roundabout to Galle Face Roundabout
D. R. Wijerama Mawatha
Dharmapala Mawatha to Pittala Junction
Baladaksha Mawatha to Uttarananda Mawatha

In addition, the court order prohibits Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and others from the SJB from entering the Finance Ministry, President’s Office, President’s House, and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

———————-

(Previous News : Published at 2024/01/30 at 12.15 pm)

Court blocks Opposition’s protest route in Colombo

The Colombo No. 04 Magistrate L. Manjula issued a court order today prohibiting opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, Samagi Jana Balawegaya general secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, and others from hindering traffic on several streets in the Maligawatta police jurisdiction.

The court order specifically bans blocking activities on Sangharaja Mawatha via Pradeepa Mawatha, Saddharma Mawatha, Jayantha Virasekara Mawatha, Milton Perera Mawatha, and Jumma Junction from the Maligawatte Muslim Burial Ground.

Sri Lanka’s main opposition party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), is gearing up for a significant protest in Colombo today (30).

The party aims to pressure the government into addressing pressing issues faced by the Sri Lankan people.

SJB General Secretary and Member of Parliament, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, announced that the protest will commence at 1:30 pm from two separate locations: Hyde Park and Panchikawatta in Colombo.

(News 1st)

News

Japan grants US$ 2.5 mn. to SL to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The Government of Japan has granted USD 2.5 million to Sri Lanka to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms under a 3-year project for Promoting Prosecution of Corrupt Practices through the Establishment of Anti-corruption Mechanism.

Japanese ambassador in Sri Lanka – Mr. Akio Isomata and UNDP resident representative in Sri Lanka – Ms. Azusa Kubota, in the presence of Justice Minister – Harshana Nanayakkara, launched ‘The Project for Promoting Prosecution of Corrupt Practices through the Establishment of Anti-Corruption Mechanism’

The three year initiative is supported by the Government of Japan and implemented by the UNDP Sri Lanka, working in close collaboration with the (CIABOC) and the Ministry of Justice.

The project aims to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in governance and business practices through effective and institutionalised preventive mechanisms in the public and investment promotion sectors, strengthen institutions to enhance corruption related investigative processes, improve coordination with stakeholders and ensure quality of prosecutions, empower citizens to effectively mobilise against corruption and enhance social accountability.

The project also seeks to engage and empower youth, children and journalists to actively contribute to the fight against corruption and promote a culture of integrity.

News

3 ex-DMT officials including ex-commissioner, remanded

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasingha and two other former officials of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The arrests were made as part of an investigation into vehicles that were illegally registered with the Department of Motor Traffic without receiving proper clearance from Sri Lanka Customs, CIABOC said in a statement.

According to CIABOC, former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasinghe has been arrested for granting approval to issue a number plate for a jeep.

Additionally, a former Assistant Director of Information Technology at the department and a clerk have also been taken into custody for facilitating the illegal data entry and executing it.

The suspects were produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court and were ordered to be remanded until July 08.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

6 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Controller of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Illukpitiya, today (July 01) unconditionally pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court in a case related to contempt of court.

The charge stemmed from his failure to comply with a court order related to the e-visa issuance process.

The Supreme Court announced that sentencing will take place on July 24.