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

President holds talks with ITAK MPs

Published

11 hours ago

December 4, 2024

editor

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Parliamentarians from the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) today (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the discussion, the ITAK MPs brought to the President’s attention the longstanding challenges faced by the people in the Northern and Eastern regions.

Parliamentarians Sivagnanam Shritharan, Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, Shanmugam Kugathasan, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, Gnanamuthu Srineshan, Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran, Elayathamby Srinath, and Thurairasa Raviharan also attended the meeting.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Govt. policy statement passed in Parliament sans vote

Published

11 hours ago

December 4, 2024

editor

The resolution on the Statement of the Government Policy presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament on November 21 was passed unanimously in Parliament today (Dec. 04) without a vote.

The debate on the Statement of the Government Policy was held as a two-day debate from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm yesterday (Dec. 03) and from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm today.

BIZ

W.M. Mendis’ liquor manufacturing license to be suspended

Published

11 hours ago

December 4, 2024

editor

The liquor manufacturing license issued to W.M. Mendis & Co. Limited will be suspended from tomorrow (December 5) due to their failure to pay Rs. 5.7 billion in excise taxes and surcharges, the Excise department said.

Accordingly, as per the provisions Excise Ordinance Act, the Commissioner General of Excise has ordered to suspend the liquor manufacturing license issued to W.M. Mendis & Co. Limited effective from tomorrow.

The department further stated that measures have been taken to suspend the liquor manufacturing process from tomorrow (December 5) and to not renew the other licenses issued to the company from December 31 onwards if the company continues non-payment of tax arrears and surcharges.