News

SC quashes Cabinet decision granting Paget Road residence to Maithripala

Published

1 year ago

February 29, 2024

nipuni

The Supreme Court on Thursday (29 Feb.) quashed the Cabinet decision allowing former President Maithripala Sirisena to occupy his official residence at Paget Road in Colombo 07 even after he left office.

Accordingly, the court stated that an order will be issued invalidating the Cabinet decision taken on 15 October 2019 in this regard.

The relevant court order was issued by Supreme Court Justice Priyantha Jayawardena, with the concurrence of Justices Gamini Amarasekera and Kumudini Wickremasinghe, upon consideration of a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and its Executive Director Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu.

The petition further sought a court order stating that former President Sirisena had violated several fundamental rights of the public by taking decisions pertaining to his own privileges and rights during his tenure as the President, thereby making him the head of the Cabinet of Ministers.

Announcing the verdict, Supreme Court Justice Priyantha Jayawardena highlighted that the relevant Cabinet decision made by Sirisena was, in fact, unlawful, given that he was both, the President and the head of the Cabinet of Ministers at the time the decision in question was taken.

In their petition, the CPA and Dr. Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu claimed that the residence in question is of great financial value to the country, and thereby stated that such an allocation for a former President was irrational, illegal and arbitrary, and also violated several fundamental rights of the country’s citizens including that of the right to equality.

(adaderana.lk)

News

Special traffic plan in Borella today

Published

4 minutes ago

July 7, 2025

editor

Police have announced a special traffic plan that will be implemented in Borella today (July 07) due to an event marking the 50th Golden Jubilee celebration of the Priesthood of His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.

The event is expected to draw a large number of invited guests, including religious dignitaries, government officials, and members of the clergy.

To ease congestion, heavy vehicles will be restricted from entering the stretch between Kynsey Road junction and Nandadasa Kodagoda junction on Ward Place between 3.00 pm – 9.00 pm within the Borella Police Division.

Police have requested motorists to use alternate routes during this time.

News

Veteran civil servant Bradman Weerakoon bids adieu

Published

23 minutes ago

July 7, 2025

editor

Senior civil servant and distinguished public administrator Bradman Weerakoon has passed away at the age of 94.

Mr. Weerakoon was educated at Holy Cross College, Kalutara, and St. Thomas’ College, Gurutalawa, before entering the University of Peradeniya, where he graduated with honours in Economics and Sociology.

He later earned a Master’s Degree (MA) in Sociology from the University of Michigan, USA, on a Fulbright Scholarship.

He joined the Ceylon Civil Service in 1954 and served in various parts of the country before becoming secretary to the then Prime Minister – Sir John Kotelawala.

Over an extraordinary career, he went on to serve as Secretary to all elected Prime Ministers and Presidents until 2002, working under 07 Prime Ministers and 03 Presidents – an unparalleled contribution to Sri Lanka’s public administration.

News

Train schedules on Northern line revised

Published

40 minutes ago

July 7, 2025

editor

The Department of Railways has announced amendments to train schedules on the Northern Line in response to public requests.

Due to high demand, the Intercity Express train, which previously operated only on weekends, will now run daily between Mt. Lavinia and Kankesanthurai starting today (July 07).

In addition, the departure time of the “Yaal Devi” train plying daily from Colombo Fort to Kankesanthurai has been revised from 5.45 am to 6.40 am.

The Department has advised passengers who made advance seat reservations for the “Yaal Devi” train a month ago, to note the new departure time.