According to the Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, an amendment to the Penal Code is being proposed where the time spent in remand custody and the duration taken for the appeal hearing will be deducted from the total jail term. This initiative aims to address the disparity where some prisoners spend more time in remand custody and appeal processes than their actual jail sentences.

Minister Rajapakshe informed the Sunday Times that a committee, chaired by a High Court judge, will be responsible for determining the remission period to be granted. However, he clarified that individuals convicted for narcotic offenses and drug trafficking will not be eligible for remission.

The proposed amendment seeks to streamline the justice system by ensuring that individuals are not unfairly detained for extended periods beyond their prescribed sentences. This move underscores efforts to promote fairness and efficiency in the legal process.

The initiative, once approved by Parliament, is poised to bring significant changes to the penal system, offering relief to individuals who have faced prolonged periods in custody awaiting trial or appeal hearings.

Former Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu has joined India’s ruling BJP and is contesting the elections. After Sri Lanka, he also served in the United States.

He is a BJP candidate from the Amritsar seat and on Friday he declared his total assets worth Rs 39.92 crore, according to his poll affidavit, the NDTV reported.

Sandhu, 61, on Friday filed his nomination papers in Amritsar for the June 1 Lok Sabha polls.

According to his affidavit, Sandhu declared moveable and immovable assets owned by him and his wife to be Rs 10.88 crore and 29.04 crore, respectively.

Five Sri Lankans have been detained by the State Border Guards of the Republic of Latvia for allegedly transporting persons who illegally crossed the state border on Wednesday (08).

In Augšdaugava Municipality in Latvia, Border guards have stopped a Peugeot 307 driven by a citizen of Sri Lanka and another citizen of Sri Lanka, both with valid residence permits, was in the seat next to the driver. While checking documents, six persons of Afro-Asian origin were found to be in the car without travel documents, valid visas and residence permits, the State Border Guard of Latvia said.

Issuing a statement, the State Border Guard of Latvia stated that the border guards on suspicion of providing support to migrants also detained three other citizens of Sri Lanka, who were moving in a Volkswagen Polo car.

Criminal proceedings have reportedly been initiated against the detained Sri Lankans under Section285(1)(3) of the Criminal Law of the Republic of Latvia for knowingly ensuring persons the possibility to reside illegally in the Republic of Latvia, if it has been committed by an organised group. 

The applicable punishment is deprivation of liberty for the period of two and up to eight years, the State Border Guard mentioned.

The suspected Sri Lankans were stopped from illegally crossing the state border in accordance with the Cabinet Order No 184 of March 12, 2024 “Regarding Declaration of the Reinforced Operating Regime of the Border Guarding System”, the statement highlighted.

(adaderana.lk)