The Supreme Court rejected a bail application filed on behalf of former Controller General of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Illukpitiya,  who is currently in remand custody for contempt of court.The decision was delivered by Supreme Court Justice Achala Wengappuli, with the concurrence of Justices Preethi Padman Surasena and Gamini Amarasekara.

Delivering the decision, the judge stated that a date has already been set for the hearing of the case on May 8.

On September 25, 2024, the Supreme Court ordered Harsha Ilukpitiya to be remanded until the conclusion of the contempt of court proceedings for failing to implement the Court’s order regarding the controversial visa deal. This order was issued against the respondent under Section 9(7) of the Contempt of Court, Tribunal, or Institution Act No. 08 of 2024.

An inmate being held under remand custody at the Boossa High-Security Prison, has been murdered using a sharp weapon.

The deceased inmate has been identified as Nanda Kumar Shivananda (46) and according to reports, he had sustained 11 stab wounds.

Prison authorities suspect that the murder was carried out by another inmate currently serving a prison sentence at the same prison facility,

A consultant contract for the detailed design of the Japan’s project “Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Project” was signed between Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media – Dr. Anil Jasinghe, and the Japanese company – Yachiyo Engineering yesterday (April 03).

The event was graced by the presence of Minister of Health and Mass Media – Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning – Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy – Eng. Eranga Weeraratne and Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka – Mr. Akio Isomata.

The Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Project is a project that supports transformation to a digital economy, which is the foundation for sustainable economic growth, through the effective use of limited and scarce frequencies. This project also contributes to improvement of people’s lives through the provision of diverse contents, including information and alert on natural disasters, and the securing of a healthy competitive environment in the broadcasting industry. 　

Ambassador Isomata emphasised that the project should be implemented without any further delay, mentioning the fact that it took 10 years before the consultant contract was signed today since the bilateral agreement was concluded between Japan and Sri Lanka.   

He expressed his expectation that all parties concerned will work closely together to implement the project in a steady manner for the benefit the people of Sri Lanka in achieving a digitalized economy.