Danushka says no to jury

Published

2 years ago

July 7, 2023

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Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka’s lawyer has requested a Sydney Court on Friday for a judge-alone trial instead of a jury trial, 9news reported.

It said Gunathilaka, who is accused of sexually assaulting a woman while on tour in Sydney for the T20 World Cup, wants to avoid placing his fate in the hands of a jury.

The 32-year-old is facing one count of sexual intercourse without consent, after the public prosecutor withdrew three other charges earlier this year.

He appeared at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court on Friday where his lawyer asked for an arraignment to be delayed until an application for a judge-alone trial can be lodged.

Crown prosecutors will contest the application at a hearing on July 24.

Police allege the batsman met up with a 29-year-old woman at Sydney’s Opera Bar after matching with her on Tinder in November 2022.

The pair then returned to her home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs before Gunathilaka allegedly choked her and raped her without a condom.

Tenders called for e-NIC project

Published

1 hour ago

July 2, 2025

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The Ministry of Digital Economy Affairs in Sri Lanka has said that Tenders have been called from Indian companies to develop Sri Lanka’s new digital National Identity Card (e-NIC).

Deputy Minister – Eranga Weeraratne stated that a 04 month period will be given for this process.

The Deputy Minister added that the new digital NIC is expected to be issued by mid-2026.

In January, Weeraratne had clarified that the government has decided to cover half of this cost through assistance from India to meet the financial burden.

Public consultation on renewable energy sector kicks off today

Published

1 hour ago

July 2, 2025

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The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced that a public consultation will be held today (July 02) to identify challenges faced by renewable energy developers in Sri Lanka.

The Commission stated that oral submissions from stakeholders will be gathered from 8.00 am – 4.00pm at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).

The public consultation is being held under the powers granted to the Commission by Section 17 of the Sri Lanka Public Utilities Commission Act, No. 35 of 2002.

Meanwhile, President of the Solar E P C Association (SEPCA) – Dr. Shyam Pathiraja has said that many stakeholders are expected to present their views on the crisis in the renewable energy sector.

On a related note, National People’s Power (NPP) MP – Ravindra Bandara claimed that the current government has not imposed any restrictions on renewable energy production.

Court order issued against ‘Eh Yaye’ song

Published

2 hours ago

July 2, 2025

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The Commercial High Court has issued an interim injunction order, preventing popular artistes Romaine Willis and Mass Ramli Miskin (DJ Mass) from performing, reproducing and distributing the song ‘Eh Yaye’.

Colombo Commercial High Court Judge Priyantha Fernando issued the order after the Plaint filed under the Intellectual Property Act by popular singer Corrine Almeida.

The case also alleges that the musical composition and the lyrics of the song ‘Eh Yaye’ were substantially similar to the song ‘Api Natamu’.

Naming Willis and DJ Mass as defendants, the plaintiff Corrine Almeida had also stated that she is the owner of the copyright and economic rights to the musical composition and lyrics of her song titled “Api Natamu”.

The plaintiff instituted action in terms of the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003 alleging that the musical composition and the lyrics of ‘Eh Yaye’ were substantially similar to the ‘Api Natamu’ song.

(Source : Dailymirror.lk)