The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court has issued a notice to the Director Board of Asiri Hospitals, ordering them to appear before open courts today (Feb. 21).
This is with regard to a case where the hospital had previously pleaded guilty to selling 11 drugs beyond the MRP set as per the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) Act.
Notice has been issued to all 11 respondents in the case which includes the group’s directors – Vishal Bali, Ashoka Kariyawasam Pathirage, Ankur Nand Thadani, Karunamuni Manjula Prasanna Karunaratne, Sudarshan Ahangama, Gardiyar Lokuge Harris Premaratne, Sivakumar Sellaiya, Haresh Kumar Kaimal and Ajith Karunaratne as well as Assistant Billing Manager – B.D. Sadathisaru.
The Maligakanda Magistrate – Ms. Lochani Abeywickrama had issued notice to the respondents, rejecting the objection of the defense lawyers.
When this case had been called before the Acting Magistrate on Jan. 17th, neither the aggrieved party nor the NMRA, which was the plaintiff in this case had been present while the defendant had failed to inform of their motion before the scheduled date.
Accordingly, the Acting Magistrate had not received the opportunity to listen to both parties on the relevant date.
Noting all this, Justice Abeywickrama had said that therefore the verdict by the Acting Magistrate is legally flawed and the court is of the opinion that the case cannot be considered as closed since the defendants of this case are yet to appear before court.
Sri Lankan athletes delivered strong performances at the 2025 Taiwan Open Athletics Championship, with Nadeesha Lekamge securing a silver medal in the women’s javelin throw and Chamod Yodhasinghe earning bronze in the men’s 100m sprint.
Lekamge’s Season-Best Throw Secures Silver
Nadeesha Lekamge recorded a season’s best throw of 56.62 meters, finishing just behind India’s Annu Rani (56.82m), who took gold.
Lekamge’s performance highlights her consistent form ahead of upcoming international competitions.
Yodhasinghe’s Speed Earns Bronze in 100m
Chamod Yodhasinghe clocked 10.38 seconds in the men’s 100m finals, securing third place behind Australia’s Jiseph Ayoade (10.34s) and Japan’s Bruno Dede (10.36s).
The Sri Lankan sprinter had earlier impressed in the heats with a 10.29-second run, showcasing his potential on the international stage.
In a major relief for Sri Lankans married to Filipino citizens, the Philippine government has officially begun issuing 5-year Temporary Residence Visas (TRVs), replacing the previous 2-year permits.
The move follows years of advocacy by the Sri Lankan community in the Philippines, who faced difficulties due to frequent renewals and prolonged passport retention by authorities. Many struggled with travel restrictions, especially for business and emergencies.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Chanaka Talpahewa, prioritized the issue upon assuming office, engaging in high-level discussions with top Philippine officials, including the Vice President, Foreign Secretary, and key ministers. His persistent efforts led to the policy change, easing bureaucratic hurdles for binational families.
The extended visa validity reflects deepening Sri Lanka-Philippines relations, offering stability to Sri Lankan expatriates. Previously, the short-term TRVs caused financial and logistical strain, with families facing repeated paperwork and delays.
The Ministry of Defence says that approximately 3,000 members of the Sri Lankan armed forces have been taken into custody for failing to report for duty without formally resigning.
The arrests were made during the period from February 22 to the present, as part of a coordinated operation conducted jointly by the tri-forces and the police.
Among those detained, 2,261 are members of the Sri Lanka Army.
The Ministry stated that the operation aims to enforce military regulations and ensure discipline within the armed forces by taking action against those who have gone absent without leave (AWOL).
