News

Court to hear petitions against Indo-Lanka MoUs

Published

4 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

editor

Two Fundamental Rights petitions filed seeking an order to invalidate the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) recently signed between Sri Lanka and India were fixed for June 12 by the Supreme Court yesterday (June 05).

The FR petitions were filed by a group of petitioners including President of the Patriotic National Movement Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara and Treasurer of Vinivida Foundation – Sunil Jayasundara.

When the case was taken up by a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Achala Wengappuli and Menaka Wijesundera, Senior Counsel Kanishka Witharana sought the earliest possible date to support the application, citing its urgency and national significance.

The Attorney General, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and members of the Cabinet have been named as respondents.

The petitioners claim the MoUs violate the constitution and international law, alleging it was signed without Parliament’s approval, with particulars kept from the public, undermining national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In addition to seeking an interim injunction preventing the MoUs from being executed after ruling that their fundamental rights have been violated, the petitioners also sought Rs.02 million in compensation from the respondents.

Several MoUs between India and Sri Lanka, including defence cooperation, were exchanged on April 05 at the Presidential Secretariat in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

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

2 hours 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.