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Rape & killing of Vidya: SC to hear appeals of death row convicts

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The Supreme Court (SC) has fixed for hearing the appeals filed by the convicts who were given the death penalty over the abduction, gang rape and murder of schoolgirl Sivaloganathan Vidya in 2015, seeking the acquittal from the sentences imposed on them.

The appeal petitions were taken up before the SC bench consisting of Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Gamini Amarasekara and Arjuna Obeyesekere yesterday (20).

The three-Judge bench, which considered the facts presented, ordered that the appeals be taken up for hearing on October 6, 2023.

The prison officers had produced the convicts of the case including the chief accused “Swiss Kumar” in Court, amid heavy security.

The Jaffna High Court, which heard the case, gave the death penalty to the seven accused on September 27, 2017. 

The Trial At Bar sentenced the seven accused to death and also ordered them to pay Rs.1 million as compensation to the victim’s family. Additional penalties were also imposed on the convicts.

The appealing parties sought an order from the SC that the relevant death penalty be declared to have been imposed in violation of the law and to therefore acquit them from the charges.

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CoI on Deshabandu concludes examining evidence by both parties

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The examination of evidence by both the Respondent and the Prosecution before the Committee of Inquiry concluded.

The Committee recommends that both parties submit their written submissions to the Committee of Inquiry before 3:30 p.m. on the 8th of July.

Examining evidence before the Committee of Inquiry to inquire and report its findings on IGP T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon in respect of acts of gross abuse of power, concluded yesterday (July 01), with the presentation of evidence by both the Respondent, representing Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon and the Prosecution.

The Committee of Inquiry, chaired by Supreme Court Judge P.P. Surasena and comprising Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake, Chairman, National Police Commission, convened today, during which, testimonies were obtained from two additional witnesses by the Prosecution.

These two witnesses had been overseas on official duty. Thus, in accordance with the prior agreement between the two parties, reached to obtain the evidence post June 26, held before the Committee of Inquiry with the participation of Additional Solicitor General (President’s Counsel) Dileepa Peiris and 

Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, representing the Attorney General’s Department, and R.S. Weerawickrama Attorney-at-Law, appearing on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, it was decided to record the statements of these two witnesses today.Furthermore, both the Prosecution in representation of the Attorney General’s Department and the Respondent Inspector General of Police agreed to submit their respective written submissions to the Committee of Inquiry before 3:30 p.m. on July 08, 2025.

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Govt to present 2026 Appropriation Bill in October

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Cabinet approval has been granted to a proposal presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance , Planning and Economic Development to present the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 to Parliament in October 2025.

Approval has also been granted to present the Budget speech in November 2025 and to hold the third reading and budget debate during November and December.

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This week’s Cabinet decisions

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A number of decisions have been taken at the Cabinet meeting held yesterday (July 01).

The decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers are as follows :

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