News

MPs urged not to make baseless accusations against govt. officials

Published

1 year ago

March 5, 2024

nipuni

Speaker of Parliament – Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana announced to the House today (05) that it has been brought to the attention of MPs that there has been a growing tendency to criticize government officials holding high posts without any basis and on unverifiable grounds at various occasions in this Supreme Assembly by some Members of Parliament for their personal interests by referring official decisions and works of such officials.

Thus, in many cases, such baseless statements damage the reputation and professional dignity of the said public officials, and I observe that the said officials do not get an opportunity to respond regarding such statements. Hence, they are subject to severe injustice and discouragement, the Speaker said.

Furthermore, the Speaker specifically mentioned that those officials have made complaints in writing to me expressing their deep concern regarding such statements.

If there are criticisms regarding government officials, I would like to emphasize that they can be summoned before the Parliament to inquire about such matters and necessary action can be taken, and therefore all Members of Parliament are informed hereby that they should refrain from making baseless accusations on such officials in this House. Further, I would like to inform that such defamatory or abusive statements will also be expunged from the Hansard Report as per the provisions of the Standing Order 91(g), the Speaker added.

News

Pillayan had prior knowledge of Easter attacks – Minister (Video)

Published

1 hour ago

July 9, 2025

editor

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala says that investigations have revealed that Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias “Pilleyan”, had prior knowledge of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

Making a special statement in Parliament today (July 09), the minister pointed out that Pilleyan was in custody at the Batticaloa Prison when the attacks took place, and that strong evidence exists that he had prior knowledge of the attacks.

(Video : Voicetube)

News

Student held under PTA for nine months to be produced in court

Published

1 hour ago

July 9, 2025

editor

The case of a 21-year-old student detained for nearly nine months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will be taken up in court today (July 9).

Mohamed Rifai Mohamed Suhail, an aviation student from Mawanella, was arrested in October 2024 after posting a video on Instagram showing the Israeli flag being trampled, BBC Sinhala reported.

He was initially taken into custody by Dehiwala Police near the Israeli consular office for failing to carry his national identity card and later released when the document was produced in court.

However, Suhail was re-arrested and remanded under the PTA in connection with the Instagram video, despite the court previously releasing him without bail. His lawyer alleges that no formal charges have been filed and no evidence has been presented by police to support the detention.

The prolonged incarceration has drawn criticism from rights groups, legal experts, and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, which has been formally notified. Meanwhile, Suhail’s family has lodged a complaint, calling for his immediate release.

(dailymirror.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Injured Wanindu ruled out of Bangladesh T20I series

Published

2 hours ago

July 9, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka’s T20I captain Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh after suffering a hamstring injury to his right leg.

The injury occurred while he was batting during the third and final ODI of the recently concluded series.

Following a medical evaluation, Hasaranga will return to Colombo to undergo rehabilitation at Sri Lanka Cricket’s High Performance Centre.

Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed that no replacement will be added to the T20I squad in his absence.

(dailynews.lk)

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