News

Lawyer disbarred by SC after found guilty of forgery

Published

2 years ago

August 10, 2023

editor

The Supreme Court today issued a rule for the removal of a lawyer from the position of the Attorney-at-Law after he was found guilty of forgery in attesting a deed.

The Registrar of the Kandy High Court in terms of section 42(4) of the Judicature Act had communicated to the registrar of the Supreme Court alleging that attorney-at-law Mahinda Ratnayake was sentenced by the High Court having found him guilty of four counts on which he stood indicted. A fine of five hundred rupees had been imposed on one count and he had been sentenced to a term of one-year rigorous imprisonment for three counts.

It was alleged that the respondent attorney-at-law fraudulently conspired to attest a deed in 1999, and made a false statement in attesting the said deed. It was further alleged that the respondent had acted in breach of the rules set out in section 31 of the Notaries Ordinance. Thereby, he had conducted in a manner which would reasonably be regarded as disgraceful by attorneys-at-law of good repute and competency as well as in a manner which is regarded as deplorable by fellow members of the profession. The rule had been issued for breaching Rule 60 of the Supreme Court (Conduct and Etiquette for Attorneys-at-Law) Rules, 1988 as well as Rule 61 of the said Rules as he had conducted in such a manner that is unworthy of an attorney-at-law.

During the Supreme Court inquiry, the respondent had pleaded guilty to the charges by way of an affidavit.

Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice S. Thurairaja and Mahinda Samayawardana held that the rule made against the respondent is made absolute. Accordingly, the Supreme Court issued a rule ordering the respondent lawyer’s name to be struck off the Roll of Attorney-at-Law.

(dailymirror.lk)

News

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith meets Pope Leo XIV (Pics)

Published

3 hours ago

May 14, 2025

editor

The Archbishop of Colombo – Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, has met the newly appointed Pope Robert Prevost.

The Archdiocese of Colombo shared pictures on social media of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and Pope Robert Prevost engaging in cordial discussions.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith met with the new Pope following his participation in the Papal Conclave in the Vatican City to elect a new Pope.

(Pics : FB page of News – Archdiocese of Colombo)

News

High blood pressure causes 70% of deaths in SL – MOH

Published

4 hours ago

May 14, 2025

editor

Around 70% of all deaths in Sri Lanka are linked to complications from high blood pressure, according to the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Unit at the Ministry of Health.

Consultant Dr. Samindhi Samarakoon from the NCD Unit stated that a 2021 national survey found 34.8% of Sri Lanka’s population suffers from high blood pressure.

Alarmingly, 64% of those diagnosed are not on any form of medication, she added.

“Most of the time, there are no early symptoms. Often, the first sign is a stroke. Sometimes, it appears as a heart attack. Hypertension is also a leading cause of kidney diseases,” Dr. Samarakoon explained.

We do a survey every five years on Non-Communicable Disease. According to the 2021 survey data, around 70% of deaths in the country are caused by conditions related to high blood pressure, only 18% of people with hypertension were aware of their condition, with 54.7% of diagnosed cases being newly identified. Alarmingly, just 14% of those diagnosed had their blood pressure under control, highlighting a very serious situation.

Dr. Samarakoon emphasized the importance of prevention and early detection, noting that while ‘Suwadivi’ clinics are available in addition to hospitals, patient turnout remains very low; she stressed the need for annual blood pressure checks, highlighted the harmful effects of smoking and alcohol – particularly among men – and underscored the importance of regular physical activity.

News

Private security officers arrested over theft at Swiss Ambassador’s residence

Published

4 hours ago

May 14, 2025

editor

Colombo, May 14 (Daily Mirror) – The Kollupitiya Police have arrested three individuals, including the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of a private security firm and another security officer, in connection with a theft at the official residence of the Swiss Ambassador in Colombo, where gold jewellery, including a diamond-studded ring and luxury wristwatches worth approximately Rs. 4.5 million were stolen from a safe.

According to police, the investigation was launched following a complaint lodged by the Swiss Ambassador, who had left for Switzerland on April 12 and returned on April 27.

Investigations revealed that after the Ambassador’s departure, the suspects gained access to her safe using a key that had been illegally duplicated. The jewellery and watches were subsequently stolen.

Following interrogations, police also arrested a locksmith who had allegedly made the duplicate key used in the theft.

Police have recovered several rings, believed to be part of the stolen items, from the one of the suspect security officers in Weligama.

At the time of the theft, two female domestic workers and a cook were present at the residence. They were questioned and later released after being cleared of any involvement.

The three suspects were produced before the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court and have been remanded until May 22.

(dailymirror.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)