Regulations for the Justice of the Peace (appointments, suspensions, cancellation and code of conduct) by the Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms under the Judicature Act No. 2 of 1978 received the approval of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms.

The said approval was granted at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms held recently (18) in Parliament Chaired by Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC.

The purpose of the said Orders is to promote moral and ethical conduct among justices of the peace to effectively administer justice and eliminate opportunities for corrupt practices. The Minister of Justice pointed out that so far there was no mention of a specific method for appointing Justices of the Peace as well as their qualifications. Furthermore, Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC further pointed out that these orders have been issued due to the absence of a specific system to remove those persons from the position of Justice of the Peace in case of misuse of that position.

Furthermore, the Minister also pointed out that a code of ethics has been introduced to be followed by justices of the peace in order to protect the dignity of this position and the trust of the people.

Apart from the said, the Civil Procedure Code, the Bill to be presented related to enforcement of the Rent Act and the Bill to be presented related to the protection of residents were also discussed at the Committee meeting held.

The Chairman of ‘Magen Ratata’ movement Sanjaya Mahawaththa has been arrested by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID).

Police say that he has been arrested for allegedly making false allegations against senior police officers.

Former MP Hirunika Premachandra has been sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court.

The former SJB parliamentarian was sentenced after being found guilty of being involved in the abduction of a youth in the Dematagoda area on December 21, 2015 using a Defender and his wrongful detention.

The sentencing was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja today (June 28).

Premachandra had been accused of involvement in abducting, assaulting and wrongfully detaining the youth, identified as Amila Priyanka Amarasinghe, who had been employed at a shop in the Dematagoda area.

In 2017, seven persons identified as supporters of Premachandra pleaded guilty before the court. However, Ms. Premachandra did not plead guilty to any of the charges levelled against her.