News

Skilled OICs needed to curb underworld activities – Police

Published

10 months ago

November 27, 2023

editor

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security drew attention to the fact that some people were getting the services of private security guards for their own protection.

This was discussed when the said committee met in Parliament on 22.11.2023 under the chairmanship of Dr. Sarath Weerasekera, Member of Parliament.

The members of the committee pointed out that the public is facing some oppressive situations due to some people who are escorted by private security guards. The senior police officers said that legally the police cannot intervene in the personal security of a person. However, the committee pointed out that since the personnel of those private security services use weapons, certain regulation is necessary. The Committee decided to inform the Ministry of Defense to prepare criteria for regulating private security services.

There was also a lengthy discussion in the committee about the growth of underworld activities. It was also revealed in the committee that certain persons in the service of the armed forces show an increase in resorting to committing crimes. The Inspector General of Police pointed out that there is some weakness in the identification of criminals. The IGP further commented that if there are competent OICs to identify criminals in their areas, crimes can be prevented before it happens and therefore attention has been paid to identify competent police OICs and send them to the respective areas for service.

Drug control was also discussed at length in the committee. The police officials pointed out that the drug traffickers are working to make the school children addicted to drugs by giving them pills. They further commented that the first thing that should be done in drug control is to prevent those drugs from entering the country. The committee also discussed the need for strict enforcement of laws such as confiscation of property of drug traffickers.

The chairman pointed out that the country loses a large number of lives due to road accidents. The chairman recalled that 29,000 war heroes died in the 30-year war in Sri Lanka, and 27,000 people died in road accidents in the last 10 years alone. Accordingly, the Chairman instructed to purchase the necessary equipment as soon as possible to identify the drivers, who drives under the influence of drugs and provide them to the police stations all over the island.

It was pointed out that there has been an increase in robberies and most of them are due to the carelessness of people. The police pointed out that it is very important for people to pay more attention to their houses, buildings and other properties.

News

Ex-ASP Sanjeeva Mahanama granted bail in MP shooting case

Published

1 hour ago

September 14, 2024

editor

Former Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sanjeeva Mahanama, arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the shooting of former MP Uddika Premarathna, has been granted bail.

Mahanama appeared before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court on September 13.

He is accused of aiding and abetting the shooting, which took place on September 17, 2023, when Premarathna’s vehicle was attacked in front of his residence on Airport Road, Anuradhapura.

News

SC orders to file contempt charges against Immigration Controller General

Published

10 hours ago

September 13, 2024

editor

The Supreme Court has ordered to file contempt of court charges against the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration for failing to obey the court’s interim order to suspend the implementation of the electronic visa system.

The order was delivered today (13) by a three-member judge bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Kumuduni Wickramasinghe and Achala Wengappuli.

The court also ordered the petitioning party to draft the charges and present it before the court on September 25.

Earlier today, the Supreme Court had directed the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to appear before the court in person today (13) with regard to his failure to implement the order issued by the court over the electronic visa matter.

The directive was issued by the Supreme Court after considering motions filed over the non-implementation of the interim order issued by the court regarding the issue.

On August 02, the Supreme Court issued an interim order suspending the contract given to private consortium IVS-GBS and VFS Global to operate the visa issuance.

The court had issued this order after considering several Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed by a group including opposition MPs M.A. Sumanthiran, Rauff Hakeem and Patali Champika Ranawaka.

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

2 more Bills come into effect

Published

10 hours ago

September 13, 2024

editor

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana has endorsed the certificate on the Bills titled Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgements Bill and Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill today (Sep. 13) in accordance with Article 79 of the Constitution.

The said Bills were passed after the second reading debate held in Parliament on 03rd September.

The Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgements Bill is to make provision for the Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement in Sri Lanka of Judgments of Courts of other countries, to repeal the Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Ordinance (Chapter 93) and the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Ordinance (Chapter 94) and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Accordingly, this Bill shall be known as the Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgements Act No. 49 of 2024.

In addition, the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill is to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, No. 15 of 1979. Accordingly, this Bill shall be known as the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act No. 50 of 2024.