News

Brian Thomas’s DNA to be tested over Schaffter’s death

Published

2 years ago

April 25, 2023

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Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya yesterday (24) granted permission to obtain a DNA report on former cricket commentator Brian Thomas over the death of late Director of Janashakthi PLC Dinesh Schaffter.

The Magistrate issued this order on the request of the members of the five-member expert panel chaired by Asela Mendis, Professor of Forensic Medicine of the University of Colombo, appointed by the court in relation to the incident.

This request has been made after it was revealed that there are two more unidentified biological samples based on the DNA reports obtained into the death.

The government analyst reported to the court that the water bottle used by Mr. Schaffter, the cable wire that was used to strangle him and the zip tie that was used to tie his hands contained unidentified biological samples.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Court that according to the tests, the DNA samples obtained from the Borella Cemetery watchmen and four other persons including a Police officer do not match with the DNA samples taken from the place where Schaffter was found.

In addition, the CID told the court that medical reports showed that the vomit on Mr.Schaffter’s shirt contained poison.

The expert panel said that more time is needed to arrive at a final decision regarding this death and since investigation reports are being received from time to time, these should be properly investigated.

The aggrieved party agreed to provide all the support to the expert panel.

After considering the facts, the Magistrate issued the orders and asked the panel to submit the conclusion over the death as soon as possible.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

1 hour ago

July 1, 2025

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Controller of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Illukpitiya, today (July 01) unconditionally pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court in a case related to contempt of court.

The charge stemmed from his failure to comply with a court order related to the e-visa issuance process.

The Supreme Court announced that sentencing will take place on July 24.

News

Nishantha Wickramasinghe remanded again (Update)

Published

1 hour ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former SriLankan Airlines Chairman – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been remanded till July 15 by Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga.

(Previous news 2025 July 01,12.15pm.)

Ex-SriLankan Airlines chief produced before court

Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by prison officials today (July 01).

Wickramasinghe was arrested last week by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and is currently in remand custody,

News

Seat belt compulsory for bus drivers from today

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has announced that starting today (July 01), it will be mandatory for all bus drivers to wear seat belts, with strict penalties for non-compliance.

Under the MotorTraffic Act, bus drivers are legally required to wear seat belts, but a rise in accidents due to drivers ignoring this rule has prompted the authorities to re-enforce it.

Police confirmed that action will be taken against drivers who fail to comply.

Seat belts to be made mandatory for all passengers in expressways

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport has also stated that wearing seat belts will be made mandatory to all passengers of light vehicles travelling on expressways from August 01, 2025.

Meanwhile, wearing seat belts will also be mandatory to all passengers of all vehicles on expressways from September 01, 2025.

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake also confirmed the directive while speaking to media this morning (July 01) during an inspection tour at the Colombo Central Bus Stand.