News

Kelum Jayasumana granted bail

Published

7 months ago

December 4, 2024

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Social activist Kelum Jayasumana who was arrested for sharing Mahaviru commemoration posts on social media has been granted bail.

He has been ordered to be released on bail after he was produced before Colombo Magistrate’s Court, Ada Derana reporter said.

During the trial, the officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) stated before the court that the suspect had downloaded and reposted a picture which was initially posted by a French woman on Facebook that contained the proscribed symbols of the LTTE organization.

Stating that this had disrupted public order and ethnic harmony, the officers also stated that no such event had been held in the North. Since the investigation has not been completed, the officers of the CID requested that the suspect be further remanded in custody.

Subsequently, Colombo Magistrate Thilina Gamage questioned the CID officers whether statements confirming that public order had been violated due to this act had been recorded and submitted to the court. In response, the officers of the CID stated that no such statements had been recorded and submitted to the court.

Questioning how the suspect could be further remanded without evidence confirming that a public disturbance had occurred, the Magistrate stated the suspects cannot be remanded further without proper evidence.

The Magistrate further elaborated that suspects could not be remanded based on what they had in mind without presenting evidence to the court, Ada Derana reporter said.

Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered the suspect to be released on two surety bails and ordered the case to be taken up again on April 03, 2025.

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

2 hours 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

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.