Actor Jacqueline Fernandez was on Tuesday granted bail by a Delhi court in the 200 crore Indian Rupee laundering case involving conman Sukesh Chandrashekar.
Special Judge Shailendra Malik of Patiala House Court granted bail to Jacqueline Fernandes. Earlier she was granted interim bail.
Ms Fernandez had sought bail on the ground that there was no need for her custody since the investigation is already complete and the charge sheet has been filed.
The court had on August 31 accepted the supplementary charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate and asked Ms Fernandez to appear before the court.
Ms Fernandez, who was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate several times in connection with the investigation, has been named as an accused for the first time in the supplementary charge sheet.
The agency’s earlier charge sheet and a supplementary charge sheet did not mention her as an accused.
Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate’s main arguments in court against the actor getting bail were that she tried to flee the country, that she didn’t cooperate with the investigators and that she faced serious allegations.
The agency, which investigates financial crimes, had earlier issued an alert – a Lookout Circular (LOC) – in airports to stop the actor from leaving the country.
The actor has been accused of receiving expensive gifts from conman Sukesh Chandrashekar, who extorted crores from celebrities and businessmen.
The Sri Lanka-born Bollywood actor said she received gifts like luxury cars, Gucci and Chanel bags, Gucci gym wear, Louis Vuitton shoes and jewellery. She also said Sukesh Chandrasekhar had arranged private jet trips and hotel stays for her.
Sukesh Chandrashekhar, who has been in a Delhi jail since 2017, allegedly cheated many, including former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh’s wife Aditi Singh.
The “Satarawa Deepani” Felicitation Ceremony, which was organized at the behest of Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media, Dr. Bandula Gunawardena was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) Yesterday afternoon (16). The event, presided over by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, was held on a grand scale. During the event, tributes were paid to a group of artists who had contributed to the artwork created by Dr. Bandula Gunawardena. Veteran artists such as Dharmasiri Bandaranaike, Parakrama Niriella, and Cyril Wickramage were awarded by the President in recognition of their contributions.
Veteran artists such as Professor Ariyaratne Athugala, Kumara Thirimadura and Sarath Kothalawala were also appreciated during this event.
The book “Subandhu Cinema Watha,” which chronicles the cinematic career of Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, was launched at the event. The book was edited by esteemed media professionals including Prof. Praneet Abeysundara, Ranjith Kumara, Aruna Gunaratne, and Dinusha Kudagodage.
During the event, a token of 25 scholarships was awarded to 25 out of the 251 students who are currently pursuing the G.C.E. (A/L) Technology stream this year. The scholarships were given under the “Pragna Bandhu” scholarship program, a concept introduced by Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena. The scholarships were presented by distinguished individuals such as Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Mithripala Sirisena, as well as Education Minister Susil Premajayantha.
Mr. Gamini Weragama, a seasoned film critic, delivered the keynote lecture at the event.
The event was attended by a diverse group of individuals, including the Venerable Maha Sanga such as Most Ven. Iththapane Dhammalankara Thera, the Maha Nayaka of Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, foreign diplomats, ambassadors, and high commissioners, politicians from both the governing and opposition parties including ministers and parliamentarians, artists, heads of media organizations, journalists, professionals, and other guests.
Two artists of Sri Lankan origin performed at the Service of Celebration for Commonwealth Day 2023 held at the Westminster Abbey in the United Kingdom on Monday (13).
Roshani Abbey who plays the role of Peggy in the Westend production of ‘Hamilton’ and Nuwan Perera who most recently played the lead in the Westend production of ‘Life of Pi’ performed at the service.
The two artists of Sri Lankan origin performed the song ‘Anagathey’ by Wayo to mark the long-standing ties between Britain and Sri Lanka, and to honour the 75th Independence anniversary of Sri Lanka marked in February this year.
For the first time, His Majesty, King Charles III delivered his Commonwealth Day Message during the service of celebration at Westminster Abbey, in his new role as Head of the Commonwealth.
This historic occasion, in the presence of senior members of the Royal Family, featured musical performances from all regions of the Commonwealth including artists from New Zealand, Rwanda, Cyprus, and Sri Lanka.
(NewsWire)
What a proud moment to witness a Sri Lankan song being sung at the Special Prayer ceremony at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the people and cultures of the #Commonwealth of Nations presided by His Majesty King Charles III. pic.twitter.com/2lHuz4B1Vk
The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore partnering with the Asian Film Archive in Singapore organised a Sri Lanka Film Festival to screen internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan films as a series of promotional and cultural exchange programmes launched to commemorate 75th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence.
The Film Festival continued from 10-11 March 2023 and entailed the screening of a pair of restored Sri Lankan classics, which were well received by Singapore movie lovers, diplomatic corps, members of Sri Lankan community and expatriates based in Singapore.
The Film Festival opened with the screening of “Bambaru Awith” directed by Dr. Dharmasena Pathiraja on 10 March 2023. The film screening was preceded by a reception hosted by the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Singapore Sashikala Premawardhane. Executive Director of Asian Film Archive, Singapore – Karan Chan, made an introduction to the festival at the opening ceremony.
Welcoming those present at the opening ceremony, High Commissioner Sashikala Premawardhane stated that this exercise would connect people, cultures and ideas in amazing ways across regions making a real difference to understanding Sri Lanka in all its manifestations. The High Commissioner further added that the event will become a significant cultural gateway, which through the powerful medium of cinema, will build closer ties between the global city of Singapore and Sri Lanka. High Commissioner Premawardhane thanked the Executive Director and the team of Asian Film Archive, Singapore for their support and partnership to introduce Sri Lankan Cinema to Singapore.
Another restored Sri Lankan classic “Nidhanaya” directed by Dr. Lester James Peiris was screened on 11 March 2023. The festival provided an opportunity to introduce Sri Lankan art cinema to the Singapore public and enhance the image of Sri Lanka in Singapore.