News, Top Story

Notice issued on Gotabaya Rajapaksa

24 Nov, 2022

Feature Image

Notice has been issued on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to make submissions on 16th December over the presidential pardon granted to former MP Duminda Silva.

The notice was issued by the Supreme Court over the Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions submitted to court seeking the dismissal of the decision to release the former MP under a presidential pardon.

Duminda Silva was granted a presidential pardon and freed in June by then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Duminda Silva was convicted over the murder of Presidential Advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra in 2011.

The Colombo High Court sentenced Duminda Silva to death on September 8, 2016 for the murder of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra.

However, in 2019 when the current administration took over there had been strong speculation that Duminda Silva will be freed.

A petition was also signed last year by several Government Parliamentarians seeking a pardon for Silva.

Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and his bodyguards were murdered in October 2011 ahead of elections held at the time.

Duminda Silva was also injured in the incident and he sought treatment overseas but he was later accused of being involved in the killing. (Colombo Gazette)

Recommended For You

Feature Image

US nominee to Sri Lanka committed to counter Chinese investments

By Easwaran Rutnam The US nominee to Sri Lanka Elizabeth K. Horst says she is committed to do more to counter Chinese investments in the country. Responding to a question posed to her by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Horst said that the US has an alternative and better model to offer Sri Lanka. The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee questioned Horst on the possibility of urging Sri Lanka to maintain a moratorium on Chinese research vessels entering Sri Lankan waters. Horst sa

10 May, 2024

Feature Image

Mahinda wants move to privatize state assets postponed

Former Prime Minister and leader of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Mahinda Rajapaksa, has called for the postponement of the Government decision to privatize state assets. Rajapaksa said that as a measure to ease the widespread discontent over the government?s divestiture drive, he proposes that all moves to sell off state owned assets or enterprises be postponed until a new Government is formed after the next Presidential election. “The new Government will then be able to deal with s

12 May, 2024

Feature Image

Sri Lanka cricketers in all categories get pay hike

Sri Lanka cricketers in all categories have been given a pay hike with immediate effect, the Sri Lanka Cricket board said. The cricket board said that 41 players will be offered new contracts under six categories, including the Sri Lanka ?A? Team. The match fees for the Test format have been increased by 100 percent, while payments will be made on merit basis. There will be different payment structures for a Test match won, drawn or lost. The match fees for both ODI and T20 international mat

10 May, 2024