News

CHINESE AID FOR REFURBISHMENT OF SUPERIOR COURTS COMPLEX

Refurbishment of Superior Courts complex commences with Chinese aid (Pics)

Refurbishment of the Hulftsdorp Supreme Court complex commenced today (31), with financial assistance of RMB 240 million from the Chinese Government.

The total construction area of the ‘China Aid Comprehensive Refurbishment Project of Sri Lanka Complex’, is 23,602 sq. metres.

The ceremony to start the renovation work was held at 10.00 am today with the participation of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, PC, Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, and Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka – Qi Zhenhong.

Strengthening diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and China, in 1998, the Supreme Court complex was built with a grant from the Chinese Government and handed over to the Government of Sri Lanka, followed by the signing of an agreement between both countries in 2016. According to this agreement, it has been decided to extensively renovate the Hulftsdorp Supreme Court complex.

The renovation work will be carried out within 32 months in two phases. Under the first phase, The section housing the Court of Appeal will be renovated under the first phase while the area of the Supreme Court will be renovated under the second phase. The renovations are to be completed on Oct. 17, 202.

(Pics : Department of Government Information)

BIZ

Fuel prices revised

Fuel prices have been revised with effect from midnight today (31).

New prices are as follows:

– 92 Octane Petrol : Rs. 348/- (Up by Rs. 20)

– 95 Octane Petrol : Rs. 375/- (Up by Rs. 10)

– Auto Diesel: Rs. 306/- (Reduced by Rs. 2)

– Super Diesel: Rs. 358/- (Up by Rs. 12)

– Kerosene: Rs. 226/- (Reduced by Rs. 10)

NEWS

Probe over National Anthem performance at LPL opening ceremony

A swift probe will be initiated into the alleged distortion during the singing of the national anthem during the opening ceremony of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) cricket tournament, the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government stated.

The Ministry Secretary – Mr. K.D.N. Ranjith Asoka has said that deliberately making changes to the National Anthem on a whim, is considered as an act that violates the country’s constitution.

He has added that it was also regrettable that the lyrics of the National Anthem was sung in this manner during an event with international exposure.

Popular Sri Lankan singer Umara Sinhawansa, who sang the National Anthem at the event, faced online backlash over the weekend after clips of the performance indicate a mispronunciation of a certain keyword in the lyrics.

NEWS

Judge recuses himself from hearing Maithripala’s writ petition

Appeal Court Judge Neil Iddawela has recused himself from hearing the writ petition filed by former President Maithripala Sirisena, challenging the magisterial inquiry and the issuing of summons against him in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.

Court of Appeal (President) Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne announced that Justice Iddawela, a member of the five-judge-bench nominated to hear this case, has declined to hear the petition.

Accordingly, this petition was fixed for argument to be heard before a five-judge-bench on October 16, 17, 18 and 20.

Filing a motion before the Court of Appeal, Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando had earlier sought a fuller or a divisional bench to hear the writ petition filed by former President Maithripala Sirisena.

On October 14, 2022 the Court of Appeal two-judge-bench issued an order postponing the magisterial inquiry against former President Maithripala Sirisena. The Court of Appeal further decided to postpone the magisterial inquiry at the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court for a period of 10 weeks.

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court had earlier issued a notice directing former President Maithripala Sirisena to appear before court on October 14, 2022 in connection with a private plaint filed on the Easter Sunday attacks. Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando and Jesuraj Ganeshan, a victim of the Easter Sunday attack, had filed a private plaint before the Magistrate’s Court urging to take legal action against the former President under Section 298 of the Penal Code for causing deaths by negligence.

Faiz Musthapha PC with Counsel Keerthi Tillekaratne appeared for the former President. Rienzie Arsekularatne PC with Counsel Thejitha koralage, Thilina Punchihewa, Himasha Silva and Udara Muhandiramge appeared for Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando.

(dailymirror.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)