News

Saudi leader given US immunity over Khashoggi killing

Published

1 year ago

November 19, 2022

editor

The US has determined that Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader – Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – has immunity from a lawsuit filed by murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancé.

Mr Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi critic, was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.

US intelligence has said it believes Prince Mohammed ordered the killing.

But in court filings, the US State department said he has immunity due to his new role as Saudi prime minister.

Mr Khashoggi’s ex-fiancé, Hatice Cengiz, wrote on Twitter that “Jamal died again today” with the ruling.

She – along with the human rights group Democracy for the Arab World Now (Dawn), founded by Mr Khashoggi – had been seeking unspecified damages in the US from the crown prince for her fiancé’s murder.

The complaint accused the Saudi leader and his officials of having “kidnapped, bound, drugged and tortured, and assassinated US-resident journalist and democracy advocate Jamal Khashoggi”.

The secretary general of Amnesty International, Agnes Callamard, said: “Today it is immunity. It all adds up to impunity.”

(BBC News)

News

Iran – SL sign 5 MoUs (Video)

Published

3 hours ago

April 24, 2024

editor

Iran and Sri Lanka signed five memorandums of understanding (MoUs), aimed at bolstering bilateral relations between the two countries.

The MoUs signed will cover cooperation in film, media, tourism, cooperatives, libraries, and cultural, scientific, technical, and sports fields between the two countries, the Presidential Media Division notes.

Earlier in the evening, the Iranian President – Dr. Ebrahim Raisi and his Sri Lankan counterpart President Wickremesinghe held one-on-one discussions, followed by a bilateral meeting between representatives of both nations at the Presidential Secretariat.

(Video – PMD)

BIZ

Imported milk powder prices slashed

Published

3 hours ago

April 24, 2024

editor

The price of imported milk powder will be reduced with effect from tomorrow (April 25), the Milk Powder Importers’ Association states.

Accordingly, the price of a 01 kg pack will drop by Rs. 250 – Rs. 300 while the price of 400g pack will be slashed by Rs. 100ත් – Rs. 130.

News

Injunction against Wijedasa and Sarathie

Published

8 hours ago

April 24, 2024

editor

The Colombo District Court today (April 24) issued an injunction order preventing the appointment of Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the Acting Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).
The court has also issued an injunction order preventing MP Sarathie Dushmantha Mithrapala from functioning as the General Secretary of SLFP.

Colombo District Judge Sandun Withana issued these orders after considering a complaint filed against the respective appointments.