News

Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued an order preventing Ex-Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal from traveling overseas.

Ajith Nivard Cabraal was also issued summons to appear in Court on the 18th of April.

The order was issued by Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunuwela upon considering an application filed by former governor Keerthi Tennakooon.

The application charged Cabraal for abusing public funds during his tenure as the governor of the central bank.

President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne and Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake appeared on behalf of the plaintiff.

The additional magistrate has also ordered Ajith Nivard Cabraal to appear in court on the 18th of this month.

Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Ajith Nivard Cabraal has handed over his resignation.

Taking to Twitter, Cabraal stated that he has submitted his resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

His resignation comes hours after the entire Cabinet handed in their resignations to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, following a Cabinet meeting held last night.

"In the context of all Cabinet Ministers resigning, I have today submitted my resignation as Governor, @CBSL to HE President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. @GotabayaR #SriLanka #GoSL", Cabraal tweeted.

The Ministry of Education has decided to extend school hours by an hour from the next term, commencing 18 April.

Secretary to the Ministry of Education Prof. Kapila Perera said the decision was taken owing to the limited time available to complete this year’s syllabus and to cover missed lessons.

Minister of Sports, Youth and Technology, Namal Rajapaksa says he has resigned from his Ministerial portfolios today (03).

The Government Medical Officers’ Association stated that the health sector will face several issues in the next few weeks due to the shortage of medicine.

North Western Province Coordinator of the Government Medical Officers Association, Dr. Indika Ratnayake said that with the present situation in the country and negative financial system allocations to the health sector have been reduced.

Further, he said that the main reason they could not import medicine was because of the shortage of dollars.

According to the situation arising in the country importing medicine will be difficult and there will be a high demand for medicines, he said.

Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa led a protest march towards Independence Square in Colombo on Sunday (7), defying the nationwide curfew.

However, the protest march was obstructed by police barricades that were set up around Independence Square, Colombo.

A heavy security detail was also deployed to the vicinity.

However, the protestors including SJB Parliamentarians continued to protest in the presence of the police and military personnel.

“You are supposed to protect the people and the not government,” Sajith Premadasa told police officers who were manning the barricade.

“We are causing any damage to public or private property. We are here to protest peacefully. All those present with me are the MPs. You, the law enforcement, are bound to the mandate of the people and you cannot suppress it,” said the Opposition Leader, adding that he respects the police and military, and has no intention to threaten them.

SJB MP Patali Champika Ranawaka warned the police officers that obstructing the movement of any MP would land them in jail for five years and that the actions of the police is a violation of the constitution.

Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe has been appointed as the new Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

Weerasinghe served as a Deputy Governor for the CBSL and will be serving as the new Governor upon the stepping down of predecessor Ajith Nivard Cabraal.

He will assume office on April 07.

Activist Thisara Anurudda Bandara was granted bail by the Hulftsdorp Magistrate's Court last night.

Bandara's case, initially scheduled to be taken up at around 05:00 pm last evening (02), was ultimately taken up at around 01:00 am, for which nearly 50 lawyers appeared on Bandara's behalf.

Bandara was arrested and charged under the Penal Code, specifically under those provisions that prohibit the expression of feelings of disaffection towards the State, yesterday (02), for managing a Facebook page titled "Go Home Gota".

He was initially reported missing by the Sri Lanka Young Journalist's Association, after a group of people/officials who identified themselves as police officers went to Bandara's residence and arrested him.

Subsequently, however, the Modara Police informed the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) that Bandara was, in fact, in their custody, despite the Modara OIC initially denying claims of such an arrest being made.

Newly-appointed Finance Minister Ali Sabry has stepped down from his position a day after his appointment.

His appointment as the Finance Minister came after the entire Cabinet of Ministers resigned from their respective portfolios on Sunday (April 03).

In his letter of resignation sent to the President, Sabry said it was not his intention to take up any post after he tendered his resignation from the post of Justice Minister on April 03.

“However, in order to maintain parliamentary democracy and the stability of the system and constitutional governance, in light of the multitude of requests made by the business community, professionals and some of my cabinet colleagues, I decided to accept the post of the Minister of Finance only as an interim measure until a suitable, full-time sustainable solution could be found.”

Sabry says, after much reflection and deliberation, and taking into account the present situation, he is of the view that fresh, proactive and unconventional steps need to be taken, including the appointment of a new Finance Minister, to make suitable arrangement to navigate the ongoing crisis.

“In order to facilitate such an appointment, I hereby tender my resignation from the post of the Minister of Finance with immediate effect,” he added.

He also expressed his willingness to step down his parliamentary seat, if the President wishes to appoint a person suitable to handle the situation outside the current parliament.

Prior to his resignation today, Sabry, in his capacity as the Finance Minister, presented the International Monetary Fund’s report on Sri Lanka to the parliament this morning.

After the Cabinet of Ministers tendered their letters of resignation, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed four ministers to maintain the affairs of the Parliament and other functions of the country legitimately and stably until a full Cabinet is appointed.

Accordingly, Prof. G.L. Peiris was sworn in as the Foreign Minister, Ali Sabry as the Finance Minister, Johnston Fernando as the Minister of Highways and Dinesh Gunawardena as the Education Minister.

These ministers were appointed as there is a need to appoint a Leader of the House and a Chief Government Whip for the functioning of the Parliament and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance, the PMD explained in a statement.

Oshada Senanayake has tendered his resignation as Chairman of the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA).

Taking to Twitter, Senanayake stated that he tendered his resignation formally last week, owing to certain circumstances that contradicted with his own ethos and principles.

Senanayake was appointed as the Chairman of ICTA on 04 August 2021, following former Chairman Lalith Gamage's resignation.

At the time, Senanayake also served as the Director General of Telecommunictaions Regulatory of Sri Lanka (TRCSL). However he later tendered his resignation on 31 December 2021, which is due to come into effect at the end of this month.

“Dear all after almost 2.5 years of contributing for the digital journey of the country by taking a break from my private sector career which I firmly believe was the best way for the country’s economic revival, I have tendered my resignation formally last week from ICTA as well following my stepping down of TRC last Dec which could come in to effect from end of the month. Thank you for all the support for my work during stint which hopefully will go a step towards enabling the next generation. I’m sorry I could not do more but circumstances are such and as I always said I would vehemently stand by my principles and ethos I believe in", Senanayke tweeted.

His resignation comes amidst a major social media ban in Sri Lanka, where access to several social media platforms have been restricted on the order of the Ministry of Defence.

State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle has resigned from her post.

Speaking to Ceylon Today, Fernandopulle stated that she had submitted her resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called upon President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to revoke the proclamation declaring a state of emergency.

Issuing a statement, the BASL urged the President to ensure the protection of several fundamental rights, including those concerning the freedom of expression, speech and publication and peaceful assembly.

Referring to these rights as "aspects of the sovereignty of the people", the BASL urged that they be"respected and protected and not violated by the State or its agents".

Expressing their grave concerns over the Extraordinary Gazette issued by Rajapaksa last night (01) declaring a state of public emergency in the country, the BASL was of the view that such actions were not the answer to the ongoing crisis.

Instead, they proposed that the Government make people aware of its policies and plans for the recovery of the economy in order to alleviate their suffering.

"These protests reflect the desperate situation of the people who are seeking to secure for themselves, and their families some of the most basic essentials in life", the BASL said.

Speaking in relation to the violence incited at the protest that took place near President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence in Mirihana on 31 April, the BASL noted that while such violent acts involving the destruction of property need to be condemned, "a distinction must be made between those engaged in peaceful protests exercising their constitutional rights and those who engage in violence".

"The BASL for its part is committed to protecting the rights of the people of Sri Lanka and will take all necessary steps for that end including the providing of assistance to those whose rights may be infringed during this time",

the statement concluded.

Given below is the full statement:

STATEMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION OF SRI LANKA ON THE DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) is gravely concerned by the declaration of a state of emergency by His Excellency the President on the night of April 1st, 2022.

Consequent to the declaration of a state of emergency the President is empowered to make Emergency Regulations which can override, amend or suspend the provision of any law, except the provisions of the Constitution.

The BASL is of the view that a declaration of a state of emergency is not the answer to the present situation in the country, including the spate of public protests which have occurred. These protests reflect the desperate situation of the people who are seeking to secure for themselves, and their families some of the most basic essentials in life.

Over the past several months the country has been heading towards a grave economic crisis and early warnings given by professionals and experts in the field both local and international have gone unheeded.

The BASL too issued a statement on the present plight of the economy on the 14th of January 2022 setting out the consequences of the impending crisis.

Unfortunately, those in authority have until very recently failed to understand the gravity of the situation and the grave impact the crisis has on the life of the people and the community. The unprecedented power cuts extending for over half the day, the fuel shortages, gas shortages, drugs shortages, the foreign exchange crisis and the escalating prices of essential items have all resulted in the people of this country being driven to desperation. There has been a failure to understand the aspirations of the people, and to empathize with the suffering of the people of the country.

The Government of Sri Lanka must make people aware of its policies and plans for the recovery of the economy in order to alleviate their suffering.

The BASL is firmly of the view that the right to protest and the right to dissent are important aspects of the fundamental rights of the people including the freedom of expression and the freedom of peaceful assembly.

These rights are of course subject to the restrictions set out in Article 15 of the Constitution including in the interests of public order. However, any restrictions that are imposed by law must be proportionate and reasonable.

If a peaceful protest becomes violent, that will only dilute the objective and purpose of a peaceful expression of dissent and strengthen the hands of those who seek to supress legitimate dissent. As such violent acts which occur during a protest and destruction of property whether public or private cannot be condoned and must be condemned. Similarly, those engaged in protests must take utmost care to ensure that such protests remain peaceful and must be wary of persons who might seek to cause violence and destruction during such protests.

However, whilst the authorities including the police have a right to deal with an unlawful assembly and to bring perpetrators of violence to book, a distinction must be made between those engaged in peaceful protests exercising their constitutional rights and those who engage in violence. The state ofemergency must not be used to stifle peaceful protests and dissent or to make arbitrary arrests and detentions.

In the recent case of U. N. S. P. Kurukulasuriya, Convenor, Free Media Movement, and J. K. W.Jayasekara, V Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation SCFR 556/2008 and 557/2008 decided on 17.02.2021,the Supreme Court quoted with approval the following passages found in several decisions of Sri Lankan courts:

“The right to support or to criticise governments and political parties, policies and programmes is fundamental to the democratic way of life; …and democracy requires not merely that dissent be tolerated, but that it be encouraged”

“Criticism of the Government, and of political parties and policies, is per se, a permissible exercise of the freedom of speech and expression under Article14 (1) (a).”

In the aforesaid the BASL calls upon His Excellency the President to forthwith revoke the proclamation declaring a state of emergency, and to ensure that the fundamental rights of the people such as the freedom of expression including the freedom of speech and publication and the freedom of peaceful assembly which are aspects of the sovereignty of the people are respected and protected and not violated by the State or its agents.

The BASL for its part is committed to protecting the rights of the people of Sri Lanka and will take all necessary steps for that end including the providing of assistance to those whose rights may be infringed during this time.