News

Three petitions against Sanath Nishantha to be taken up again

Published

10 months ago

July 13, 2023

editor

The Court of Appeal ordered that three petitions filed against State Minister Sanath Nishantha over contempt of court be taken up again on September 27.

The petitions were taken up before the Judge Bench comprising of Court of Appeal President Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice A. Marikkar today (13).

The Deputy Solicitor General, who appeared for the Attorney General, informed the court that a voice test is needed to be conducted in relation to the complaint and it needs to be done in the presence of the officials of the Government Analyst’s Department.

The lawyer representing the Sri Lanka Judicial Officers’ Association which had also submitted a petition said that they have no objection to maintain this petition without such an investigation.

Accordingly, the petition was ordered to be taken up again on September 27.

The petitioners said that Mr. Nishantha, who spoke at a news briefing held at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna head office on or around August 23, 2022 criticized the way the Magistrates acted when granting bail to Aragalaya activists.

(Adaderana)

News

Prof. Nalin de Silva no more

Published

10 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

Philosopher, intellectual and academician Professor Nalin de Silva has passed away at the age of 79. Prof. de Silva initially served as a professor in the Department of Mathematics and later as the Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Kelaniya.

He was also a former member of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In addition to his academic pursuits, de Silva also worked as a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Myanmar.

News

‘Company issuing visa at BIA not Indian or Indian based’

Published

14 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

The Indian High Commission in Colombo has issued a statement over reports of Indian companies taking over visa issuance at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

The statement notes “companies referred to in these reports are not India based or Indian and are headquartered elsewhere. Any reference to India in this context is unwarranted.”

News

Chaos at BIA raises questions (Video)

Published

16 hours ago

May 2, 2024

nipuni

Questions have been raised after chaos at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake last night (May 01) has sparked widespread outrage.

This is with regard to a controversial takeover of the on-arrival visa issuance process at BIA by an Indian company – VFS Global since yesterday evening.

It is learnt that the company has levied an extra $25 alongside the standard $75 fee.

Long lines of frustrated travellers were also seen at the airport for several hours, which is a stark difference to the procedure smoothly managed in a matter of mere minutes by the Immigration and Emigration Department in the past.

Footage of a Sri Lankan citizen expressing outrage over Indian nationals deciding visa matters for fellow Sri Lankans, has also been making rounds on social media.

Although 10 Sri Lankan and Indian officers had commenced work from 5.00pm yesterday, the lines remained well over 9.00pm. Amid tensions, higher officials of the BIA and security forces had also arrived at the premises.

At 11.30pm the company officials temporarily suspended issuing visas and left the BIA with the money collected, reports say.

Upon the directive of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Ilukpitiya, Immigration officers have commenced their usual duties with no issues since then, enabling the previous process to continue smoothly.

Concerns have been raised over the lack of transparency in this arrangement.