News

PM assures justice for Lasantha’s family

Published

1 month ago

February 7, 2025

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has responded to a letter directed to her by Ms. Ahimsa Wickrematunge, the daughter of the slain Sunday Leader Editor – Lasantha Wickrematunge.

Speaking in Parliament today (Feb. 07), Dr. Amarasuriya reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring justice for Lasantha Wickrematunge’s family.

“The letter that Ms. Ahimsa Wickremetunga has sent to me is also measured, given the circumstances and given what this family has had to endure for these past…I don’t know how many years…So, we’re very determined, because at the end of the day the purpose of having a judicial system, the Attorney General’s Office, all of these institutions is to deliver justice and if procedures come in the way of delivering justice, then we need to re-examine those procedures”, she stated.

The Prime Minister revealed that several actions have already been taken and that the government expects the Attorney General to take further steps. She noted that the government is exploring the possibility of initiating fresh indictments in the case.

While acknowledging the systemic challenges within legal institutions, she stressed that change is necessary and that victims should not be left waiting indefinitely.

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News

Misuse of plantation funds and lands exposed in parliament

Published

45 minutes ago

March 15, 2025

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Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure, Samantha Vidyarathna, addressed Parliament, alleging that numerous associates and officials, including former ministers, have recently received substantial sums of money and government lands under the pretext of various cultivation projects, which were subsequently not implemented. He announced that investigations will be initiated into these matters.

Minister Vidyarathna accused former Minister Salinda Dissanayake of acquiring 76 acres of fertile land from the Kurunegala Plantation Company through a company he personally established.

Additionally, he claimed that a friend of former Minister Arundika Fernando was allocated 21 acres of fertile land belonging to the same company, misrepresented as barren land, with the transaction allegedly authorized by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Minister further alleged that Anoma Gamage, wife of former Primary Industries Minister Daya Gamage, received 140 million rupees purportedly for an agricultural project, which was never executed.

These allegations were presented during the debate on the expenditure head of the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure.

He also stated that former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda was granted 180 million rupees for a cultivation project, and that 82 million rupees were given to the son of former Ministry Secretary Bandula Wickramarachchi for a similar initiative.