“Militarized Environment” Prevailing in and Around Colombo Permanent High Court Hearing DA Rajapaksa Museum Case Involving Gotabhaya Rajapaksa To Create Fear Psychosis Among Witnesses

Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris appearing for the Attorney General raised objections into the highly militarised environment around the Colombo Permanent High Court-at-Bar yesterday.

Peiris appearing for the prosecution in the D. A. Rajapaksa Museum case told the Colombo Permanent High Court-at-Bar that this would adversely affect witnesses expected to testify before court in due course.

Taking into consideration the facts, the Trial-at-Bar Bench comprising High Court Judges Sampath Abeykoon (President), Sampath Wijeratne and Champa Janaki Rajaratne announced that they would make an appropriate order on the next hearing date.

Continue reading ‘Dep- Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris Objects to “Militarized Environment” Prevailing in and Around Colombo Permanent High Court Hearing DA Rajapaksa Museum Case Involving Gotabhaya Rajapaksa To Create Fear Psychosis Among Witnesses’ »

Raising a preliminary objection in the case filed against former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa the Defense said today the Special High Court had no jurisdiction to hear the case under the Judicature (Amendment) Act.

At the outset, President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva appearing for Mr. Rajapaksa said when this Bill was proposed to establish the Special High Courts to try certain types of cases, it was challenged before the Supreme Court that it violated Article 12(1) (equality of law) of the Constitution as the establishment of such courts may discriminate the parties in other similar cases. Thereafter, the SC gave cognizance to the fact that such an amendment may unfairly discriminate accused and aggrieved parties in other cases.

Continue reading ‘Romesh de Silva PC Appearing For Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Raises Preliminary Objection That Special High Court Has No Jurisdiction to Hear Case Under the Judicature (Amended) Act: Courts will Resume on Jan 31.’ »

UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra yesterday told Parliament that she had received information that there was a plan to grant a Presidential pardon to Duminda Silva who has been sentenced to death, on this year’s Independence Day February. 04

Speaking during the debate on Commissions of Inquiry (Amendment) Bill, Premachandra said that there was a group which goes door to door in Kolonnwa area to take signatures for a petition calling for a Presidential pardon for Duminda Silva.

Continue reading ‘Hirunika Premachandra MP Tells Parliament of Plan to Grant Presidential Pardon to Ex-MP Duminda Silva by Maithripala Sirisena on Independence Day on Feb 4’ »

In an explosive statement, Defence Ministry Secretary Hemasiri Fernando yesterday said 11 soldiers would be prosecuted in the next two weeks over a high profile murder case, and called on the diaspora to submit evidence on crimes committed by any military personnel.

“We will take legal action against 11 soldiers who have been involved in one of the most heinous, gruesome murders in Sri Lankan history,” Fernando said, speaking at a felicitation ceremony hosted by Nalanda College.

Continue reading ‘“We will take legal action against 11 soldiers who have been involved in one of the most heinous, gruesome murders in Sri Lankan history,” -Says Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando.’ »