The Court of Appeal has dismissed without hearing, a petition filed by opposition members of the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha.

The petition sought an interim injunction against Western Province Local Government Commissioner – Sarangika Jayasundara, urging to stop a secret ballot for electing the Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

The decision, delivered by a panel of judges comprising the Chairman of the Court of Appeal – Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando.

Meanwhile, the similar petitions from the Mawathagama and Seethawaka Urban Councils were also rejected.

Former Minister Duminda Dissanayake, who was arrested and remanded over the discovery of a gold-plated T-56 firearm at an apartment complex in Havelock Town, Colombo, has been granted bail under strict conditions.

Colombo Chief High Court Judge – Manjula Thilakaratne today (July 14) ordered his release on a cash bail of Rs.250,000 and 02 surety bonds of Rs.05 million each.

The court further directed that the 02 sureties must be Colombo residents and ordered that Dissanayake’s passport be handed over to the court, imposing a travel ban on him.

Although the counsel for the Attorney General strongly objected to bail being granted, the Chief High Court Judge ruled that, since it has not yet been established that the suspect was in possession of the firearm, the court decided to grant bail.  

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) Managing Director – Dr. Mayura Nettikumara says no new recruitments will be made, as modern technology has enabled the corporation to reduce its workforce.

He assured that existing employees need not fear about their job security, explaining that the current staff strength has been downsized from around 3,290 in 2012 to 2,031 under a new manpower structure.

Many employees are due to retire this year and next, and will not be replaced, he said.

“We have stopped many inefficient services, so there is no need for new people now,” Dr. Nettikumara has further said.