News

Man steps into witness box instead of Rohitha!

Published

2 years ago

December 1, 2022

editor

A middle-aged man had stepped into the witness box when a case against former minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena was taken up in the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday (30).

Earlier, Fort Magistrate Thilini Gamage imposed a travel ban on former minister Abeygunawardena and a group of people over the attack on the activists at the Galle Face Green.

When the case was taken up yesterday, a middle-aged man dressed in a t-shirt stepped into the witness box when the former minister’s name was read out.

President’s Counsel Shavendra Fernando, who appeared on behalf of Mr. Abeygunawardena, presented facts and sought permission for his client to travel to Dubai and Malaysia.

The court interpreter read out the name Rohitha Abeygunawardena, and many people in the court turned their eyes towards the witness box where the middle-aged man was seen instead of Mr. Abeygunawardena.

Aruna Court reporter confirmed that many people in the courtroom laughed at the moment.

The prison officials who were present nearby have taken him out of the witness box.

News

“Reports of Wijepala – Nissanka meeting, fake”

Published

11 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

The Public Security Ministry has denied media reports claiming that the Public Security minister – Ananda Wijepala had met Nissanka Senadhipathi.

The Minister’s media secretary had clarified this in a letter to Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya.
Adding that the neither the Minister or a representative had ever met Senadhipathi as claimed, the letter calls for proper investigations into the fake news and legal action against those responsible.

News

Special allowance for policemen on duty at ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’

Published

16 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

A special transport allowance and a combined allowance will be provided to police personnel assigned to ensure the safety of devotees attending the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Siri Dalada Vandanawa) in Kandy, the police said.

The measure has been taken over the instructions of the Acting IGP, in consideration of the fact that these police personnel will be on continuous day and night duty for over 10 days, away from their regular stations and incurring additional personal expenses.

News

Ravi K’s Bill to repeal Online Safety Act, gazetted

Published

16 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

The Bill to repeal the Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024, and other regulations concerning the Act, has been gazetted.

The Online Safety Bill was passed by a majority vote in Parliament on Jan. 24, 2024.

The Bill that has been gazetted was submitted by opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake.

On Feb. 28, 2025, MP Karunanayake submitted a private member’s Bill to the Parliament Secretary-General, aiming to repeal the controversial Online Safety Act.