News

Orders containing a Code of Conduct for JPs, approved

Published

12 months ago

June 28, 2024

editor

Regulations for the Justice of the Peace (appointments, suspensions, cancellation and code of conduct) by the Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms under the Judicature Act No. 2 of 1978 received the approval of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms.

The said approval was granted at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms held recently (18) in Parliament Chaired by Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC.

The purpose of the said Orders is to promote moral and ethical conduct among justices of the peace to effectively administer justice and eliminate opportunities for corrupt practices. The Minister of Justice pointed out that so far there was no mention of a specific method for appointing Justices of the Peace as well as their qualifications. Furthermore, Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC further pointed out that these orders have been issued due to the absence of a specific system to remove those persons from the position of Justice of the Peace in case of misuse of that position.

Furthermore, the Minister also pointed out that a code of ethics has been introduced to be followed by justices of the peace in order to protect the dignity of this position and the trust of the people.

Apart from the said, the Civil Procedure Code, the Bill to be presented related to enforcement of the Rent Act and the Bill to be presented related to the protection of residents were also discussed at the Committee meeting held.

News

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, arrives in SL (Update)

Published

20 minutes ago

June 23, 2025

editor

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has arrived in the island for an official visit.

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(Previous update 2025/06/23 at 9:11 am)

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk arrives in SL today

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights – Volker Türk, is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka today (June 23).

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, he is to remain in the country until June 26.

This is the first visit by a UN Human Rights Chief to Sri Lanka since February 2016.

During his stay, he is expected to meet with the President, Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, several other Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior Government officials, religious leaders, representatives of civil society, members of the diplomatic community and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.

News

Sri Lanka grants clearance for FAO ship

Published

2 hours ago

June 23, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka has officially granted clearance for a research vessel operated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to conduct scientific research in Sri Lankan territorial waters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism said.

The vessel is scheduled to carry out its mission from August 15 – August 20, 2025.

Dr. Fridtjof Nansen is a research vessel that conducts surveys, collecting vital data on fish stocks, biodiversity, and oceanographic conditions. It sought to carry out research activities in Sri Lankan waters, but the government had earlier denied access for it in the absence of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for foreign research vessels.

This posed the possibility of a cancellation, which could have deprived Sri Lanka of over USD 01 million worth of support while affecting future Green Climate Fund initiatives. It was also reported that the next possible deployment would not occur until after 2030.

A year-long moratorium on foreign research vessels expired in December 2024 followed by a cabinet decision in late January to appoint a special committee to amend the SOP for granting diplomatic clearance to foreign research vessels in Sri Lanka.

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News

Anuradhapura Prison chief granted bail

Published

2 hours ago

June 23, 2025

editor

The Superintendent of the Anuradhapura Prison – Mohan Karunaratne who was in remand custody, has been granted bail.

The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court granted bail under two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each and imposed an overseas travel ban on him.

Karunaratne was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on June 08 over the alleged unauthorized release of an inmate convicted of multiple counts of fraud and corruption under a presidential amnesty.The case is to be taken up again on Aug. 04.