Connect with us

News

AG to file contempt charges against ex-SDIG Nilantha Jayawardana

Published

on

The Attorney General today informed the Supreme Court that contempt of court charges will be filed against former Senior DIG and head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Nilantha Jayawardana, for failing to pay the Rs. 75 million in compensation for the Easter Sunday bomb victims as ordered by the court.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court has ordered him to appear before the court on October 07.

On January 12, 2023, the Supreme Court found that former President Sirisena, former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara, former National Intelligence Chief Sisira Mendis and former Chief of State Intelligence Nilantha Jayawardena have violated the Fundamental Rights of petitioners, by failing to take action to prevent the Easter Sunday attacks despite receiving sufficient intelligence information.

As a result, they were ordered to pay compensation to the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court ordered former President Sirisena to pay Rs. 100 million in compensation to the petitioners, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara and the former SIS Director Nilantha Jayawardena were each ordered to pay Rs. 75 million, former Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando was ordered to pay Rs. 50 million and former National Intelligence Director Sisira Mendis was ordered to pay Rs. 10 million from their personal money.

In addition, the judgment also stated that the government should pay Rs. 01 million in compensation to the victims.

The order was issued by a seven-member Supreme Court Judge bench, delivering its decision with regard to the 12 petitions filed by various parties stating that their fundamental rights were violated by the defendants’ negligence and failure to prevent the terrorist attacks on April 21, 2019.

The 12 petitions were filed by a group of individuals including Nandana Sirimanna, whose two children were killed in the Easter Sunday attacks, tourism entrepreneur Janath Vidanage, three Catholic Fathers including Rev. Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda and Attorney-at-Law Moditha Ekanayake, who was injured in the bombings at the Shangri-La Hotel.

The deadline to complete the relevant compensation payments was initially set for July 12, 2023.

On September 09, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara had completed the payment of Rs. 75 million in compensation to the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks, as ordered by the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, former President Maithripala Sirisena on August 16 had also completed the payments of compensation of Rs. 100 million to the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks as ordered by the Supreme Court.

(adaderana.lk)

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

News

Sri Lanka signs agreement for Hajj – 2025

Published

on

By

Sri Lanka signed the agreement for the Hajj pilgrimage – 2025 on 11 January 2025, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The agreement was signed by the Sri Lankan delegation headed by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs of Sri Lanka, Dr. Sunil Senevi, and the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Abdulfattah Bin Sulaiman Mashat.

This agreement demonstrates the commitment of both governments to enhancing the pilgrimage experience for Sri Lankan Muslims. Minister Senevi is visiting Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah.

During the bilateral meeting which preceded the signing of the agreement, Minister Senevi emphasized the focus of the Government of Sri Lanka on improving the Hajj experience for its citizens, and shared plans for streamlining Hajj operations in the future, aiming for a smoother and more efficient pilgrimage process.

Minister Senevi is also scheduled to meet with the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Fawzan Alrabiah and engage with Hajj service providers. The delegation will also visit Madinah, holy Prophet’s city, as well as important cultural sites in Jeddah and Madinah. Further, the Minister engaged in interactions with the Sri Lankan community in Jeddah.

The Sri Lankan delegation includes Deputy Minister of National Integration, Muneer  Mulaffar, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad, Director of the  Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, M.R.M. Nawas, Acting Consul  General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah, Mafusa Lafir and Hajj Coordinator, Dr. M.N.M. Ahsraff.

Continue Reading

News

Talks between Xi – AKD commences (Video / Pics)

Published

on

By

The official meeting between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Chinese President Xi Jinping commenced a short while ago at at 05.00 pm Chinese time at the Great Hall of the People.

It is also expected that several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed following bilateral discussions between the two Presidents.

Previously, preparations made for a special welcome ceremony for visiting Sri Lankan President, the official meeting and signing ceremony are as follows :

(Video : CCTV +)

(Pics: PMD)

Continue Reading

News

Photo of illuminated Sigiriya, fake – Ministry

Published

on

By


The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs has refuted reports of opening the historic Sigiriya rock fortress for tourists for night visits.

In a statement, the ministry has said that no decision has been taken to open the Sigiriya rock fortress for foreigners during night time.

The statement further noted that an image of an illuminated Sigiriya rock during night time, which has been making rounds on social media, is also fake.

The statement comes after it was previously reported that the Ministry of Tourism had decided to open the historic Sigiriya rock fortress for tourists on moonlit nights.

It was reported that the programme called  ‘Sigiriya in Moon’ will be implemented for five days a month ; two days prior to the full moon day, on the full moon day, and two days after.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved