News

Gota’s lawyers say it’s his money found in President’s House

Published

8 months ago

February 9, 2023

editor

Lawyers representing former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa made a request from the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday (8) to release the sum of Rs. 17.85 million which was found at the President’s House in Colombo by the protestors on 9 July 2022.

Attorney-at-Law Harigupta Rohanadeera represented Mr. Rajapaksa.

However, Magistrate Thilina Gamage denied the request stating that it is the responsibility of the court to make an inquiry before making an order regarding the relevant stock of money and that there is a possibility of investigating the money under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act as well as the Bribery Act.

The officials of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the court that they recorded a statement from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on February 6 over Rs. 17.85 million which was found at room no: 4 of the President’s House on July 9, 2022.

Mr. Rohanadeera said, “In the statement given, the former president said that the amount belonged to him. So far, no other party has come forward to claim the money. Accordingly, if the court is satisfied with the statement he has given, the money is requested to be released to Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa.”

The Magistrate said former President Rajapaksa has stated that this amount has been kept to give to the people whose property was damaged during the violent incidents on May 9 last year.

Speaking in the court on behalf of the aggrieved parties, President’s Counsel (PC) Rienzie Arsecularatne informed the court that the relevant sum of money should be investigated under the Bribery Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

“Mr. Rajapaksa has humiliated the court. He asks for money without even visiting the court. The former president tried to get hold of this money by indirect means by contacting Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon. If this money is his, Mr. Rajapaksa should come to the court and make the request,’ he said.

The Magistrate said that the investigation regarding this amount has not been completed yet and therefore, it is not possible to release it even if no other party has come forward claiming the money in question.

Source – Aruna

News

Civil Defence officer arrested over shooting of Perahera elephant

Published

5 hours ago

September 30, 2023

editor

A Civil Defence Department officer attached to the Mapakada Wewa Wildlife Regional Office has been arrested in connection with the shooting of a female elephant that had participated in the annual Randoli Perahera of Mahiyanganaya Rajamaha Viharaya.

Police spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa said a statement is being recorded from the said officer.

The incident has taken place at around 3:30 a.m. this morning.

It was reported that following the procession, the female elephant had been tied to a tree on the banks of the Mahaweli River.

The mahout, who said he was having breakfast when the incident happened, accused the officer of shooting the elephant despite people telling him that ‘Sita’ was not a wild elephant.

The officer in question had shot ‘Sita’ after mistaking it for a wild elephant that had crossed the river.

The injured 48-year-old elephant was later treated by veterinary surgeons of the Wildlife Conservation Department.

In a statement, the Director General of the Wildlife Conservation Department, M.G.C. Sooriyabandara had clarified that one of the wildlife officers at the site had mistakenly fired rubber bullets at the female elephant ‘Sita’ while trying to scare off the wild elephants in the vicinity.

News

Landslide warnings extended

Published

18 hours ago

September 30, 2023

editor

The Department of Irrigation says that the water levels in the Kelani River and Attanagalu Oya are rising to levels that requires attention.

Director of the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Irrigation Department S. P. C. Sugeeshwara says that the Gin, Nilwala and Kalu Ganga remain at the flood level.

Many roads in the vicinity of the rivers have been inundated.

S. P. C Sugeeshwara warns that people should refrain from further using the rivers.

The landslide warnings issued to seven districts have also been extended, due to the prevailing weather conditions.

The Met Department predicts that the heavy showers in the South West will continue.

Heavy showers of about 75 mm can be expected in some areas.

News

“SLPP Leadership can change if needed”

Published

20 hours ago

September 30, 2023

editor

Former President Mahinda Rajapaska yesterday said that there should be a change in the leadership of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), if the need arises.

When the former President was asked about the veracity of the news on social media about imminent change of the SLPP leadership, said that he is not aware of any change in the leadership.

The President was speaking to the media after calling on Mahanayake Thera of the Rammanya Maha Nikaya Most Ven. Makulewe Sri Wimala Thera at the Vidyawasa Pirivena in Meerigama yesterday.

Commenting on the impending regulations on social media, the former President said that there are pros and cons in the social media. “I don’t have any issue with the social media,” he said.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa also visited the Sacred Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya and participated in religious activities. The Former President also met Chief incumbent of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya Ven. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkitha Thera and received his blessings.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, the former President said that he is physically fit despite social media reports to the contrary.

(dailynews.lk)