News

SC determines GR, MR, BR, PB, Cabral violated people’s rights

Published

11 months ago

November 14, 2023

editor

A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court has determined that a group including former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had violated the fundamental rights of the general public by mismanaging the economy between 2019 and 2022.

Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, and Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Vijith Malalgoda and Murdhu Fernando delivered the majority decision in the matter while Justice Priyantha Jayawardena dissented.

Other respondents in the case including former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, the Central Bank Monetary Board, former Finance Secretary P.B. Jayasundara, and former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal was also found to have violated the fundamental rights of the petitioners.

The petition filed with the Supreme Court pointed out that a tax relief of Rs. 681 billion for businessmen during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure as President was the main reason for Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.

They also pointed out economic mismanagement issues including the pegging of the Sri Lankan Rupee against the US Dollar, the delay in securing the IMF assistance, and the repayment of USD 500 million sovereign bonds during a forex crisis.

The petition was filed by Prof. Mahim Mendis of the Open University of Sri Lanka, Former Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chandra Jayaratne, Julian Bowling, Jehan Kanakaratne and Transparency International Sri Lanka.

The Supreme Court also ordered for the petitioners to be paid Rs. 150,000 each.

(newsfirst.lk)

News

School girl falls to death from Lotus Tower

Published

2 hours ago

October 7, 2024

editor

A female student from a leading international school had fallen to her death from the observation deck of the Lotus Tower today (Oct. 07), police said.

A police investigation is underway.

News

Scholarship exam leak : NIE Director & school teacher further remanded

Published

5 hours ago

October 7, 2024

editor

The Director of the Planning Division of the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Maharagama and the school teacher, who were arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) over the leaking of questions on the Grade 5 scholarship examination, have been ordered to be remanded until October 22.

This order was issued after the suspects were produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court.

News

ADB delegation pledges further support for SL economic development

Published

5 hours ago

October 7, 2024

editor

The Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Resident Mission in Sri Lanka, Takafumi Kadono, along with a delegation, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (Oct. 07) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The discussions focused on ADB’s ongoing commitment to support Sri Lanka’s economic and social development.

During the meeting, the ADB reaffirmed its dedication to continuing its projects in Sri Lanka, with particular emphasis on bolstering key sectors crucial to the nation’s recovery. Tourism was identified as a critical sector that holds immense potential for Sri Lanka’s economic growth.

In this regard, the ADB assured further assistance in developing tourism infrastructure to harness the sector’s full potential.

President Dissanayake highlighted the importance of promoting tourism in the Northern Region, requesting ADB’s specific support to develop this area.

The ADB delegation expressed its willingness to collaborate and provide resources for this initiative.
Beyond tourism, the ADB also expressed keen interest in aiding the development of Sri Lanka’s energy sector, small-scale entrepreneurs, and financial sector, emphasizing their role in fostering sustainable economic growth.

This continued collaboration between Sri Lanka and the ADB is expected to contribute significantly to the country’s long-term development and recovery efforts.

Mr. Takafumi Kadono, Country Director ADB, Ms. Cholpon Mambetova, Country Operations Head ADB, Ms. Hasitha Wickremasinghe, Senior Economics Officer, Mr. K.M. Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary to the Treasury and Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, Mr. D.A.P. Abesekara, Director General Finance Ministry and Ms. Udeni Udugahapattuwa, Director Finance Ministry, were present at this event.

(President’s Media Division)