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Gnanasara Thero’s bail application rejected (Update)

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Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today (Jan. 09) rejected the bail application submitted on behalf of the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organization – Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court had sentenced Gnanasara Thero, to 09 months imprisonment earlier today (Jan. 09) over his defamatory statement on the religion of Islam.

Gnanasara Thero filed an appeal against his nine-month prison sentence at the Colombo High Court through his attorneys, which was filed before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

Attorney-at-Law Gamini Alwis, appearing on behalf of the Thero, presented facts requesting bail for his client pending the hearing of the appeal. He had argued that it may take a considerable amount of time for the appeal to be heard, and therefore requested the Thero’s release on bail as a special case as the prison sentence is only for a period of nine months.
In response, the Magistrate stated that special circumstances must be presented to consider a bail application of this nature.

After reviewing the facts presented, the Magistrate concluded that no exceptional facts had been presented on behalf of the defendant and rejected the bail application.


( Previous news, 09th of January 2025 ; 12:04 pm)

Gnanasara Thera sentenced to 09 months imprisonment

General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organization – Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero has been sentenced to 09 months simple imprisonment by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court for insulting the religion of Islam.

In addition to the prison term, Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena imposed a fine of Rs. 1,500.

The sentence follows an earlier arrest warrant issued after Gnanasara Thero failed to appear before court regarding the charges.

BIZ

Adani denies cancellation of power purchase deal with SL

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India’s Adani Group has denied the cancellation of its $440 million power purchase deal with Sri Lanka, terming the reports as “false and misleading”.
The media statement notes that “the Sri Lankan Cabinet’s decision of 2 Jan 2025 to reevaluate the tariff approved in May 2024 is part of a standard review process, particularly with a new government, to ensure that the terms align with their current priorities and energy policies.”

“Adani remains committed to investing $1 billion in Sri Lanka’s green energy sector, driving renewable energy and economic growth,” it adds.

The media statement comes after the AFP reported that the new Sri Lankan government has revoked a power purchase agreement with Indian conglomerate Adani Group following allegations of corruption.

The deal had initially approved to purchase electricity at US$0.0826 per kilowatt hour from the proposed Adani wind power plant, which is to be built in the Northern region of Sri Lanka. 

Several activists had challenged the agreement, arguing that smaller renewable projects were selling electricity at two-thirds the price of Adani, the AFP had further reported.
In addition, the project is also facing separate environmental concerns.

While President Dissanayake’s cabinet has revoked the 20-year deal power purchase deal signed in May 2024, it has not cancelled the project and has appointed a committee to review the project, the AFP reported, citing an official document and an energy ministry official.

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Swiss govt. pledges support to reclaim SL assets held abroad

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The Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and Ambassador designate to the Maldives, Dr. Siri Walt, has assured Switzerland’s support in recovering assets that have been moved out of Sri Lanka.  

During discussions, Ambassador Walt provided guidance on the international measures required for reclaiming such assets and expressed Switzerland’s readiness to extend support whenever necessary by providing essential resources and assistance.

Ambassador Walt made these remarks during a meeting held today (Jan. 24) at the Presidential Secretariat with the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The discussion also focused on utilizing Switzerland’s expertise and technical knowledge to assist Sri Lanka’s on-going anti-corruption initiatives. The Swiss government reiterated its commitment to providing technical and financial support for Sri Lanka’s priority programs, including the “Clean Sri Lanka” program.  

The Ambassador additionally expressed Switzerland’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in addressing social challenges, promoting national reconciliation, and assisting with the development of the Northern region through necessary aid and resources.  

The meeting was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage.  

(President’s Media Division)

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Fmr. President MR files FR petition

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Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has filed a fundamental rights (FR) petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order to re-deploy his security.

In the petition, Mr. Rajapaksa has said that his security has been reduced without a proper assessment of his security.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and the Cabinet of Ministers are among the respondents.

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