Professionals’ Trade Unions warn of strict action against unjust tax

COLOMBO (News 1st); The application filed with the Supreme Court seeking an order to suspend all activities related to the Local Government Election will be taken up on Friday (10).Retired Sri Lanka Army Colonel W. M.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The National Election Commission said that the Finance Ministry is yet to respond to its request for funds for the expenses of the Local Government Election for February.NEC Chairman Attorney Nimal Punchihewa speaking to News 1st said that the delay in funding could lead to an issue in making payments for the Local Government Election.Recently, the National Election Commission made an official request from the Finance Ministry to release Rs.

Bloomberg: The International Monetary Fund said its approval for a $2.9 billion loan to bail out crisis-riddled Sri Lanka will depend on the island nation securing assurances on debt relief from its bilateral creditors.“Sri Lanka continues to engage with official bilateral creditors to obtain financing assurances and also continues to advance domestic reforms,” an IMF spokesperson said in a statement on the progress of its Extended Fund Facility to the South Asian nation. “As soon as adequate assurances are obtained and remaining requirements are met, including by the Sri Lankan authorities, the EFF arrangement for Sri Lanka can be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for approval.”The Paris Club – an informal group of rich western creditors — and India have provided formal support to the multilateral lender for the loan recast, leaving China — Sri Lanka’s biggest lender — as a holdout.

Britney Spears is having a tough time, according to those closest to her.

The budding Lanarkshire entrepreneur going for glory on hit TV show the Apprentice has had to leave the show.

The Court of Appeal has extended the interim order preventing the collection of the PAYE tax from the salaries of judges till the petition is supported.The government recently imposed taxes between 6% to 36% on the salaries of those earning more than 100,000 rupees a month. The Judicial Services Officers Union filed an appeal with the court challenging the decision, and the court issued an interim order suspending the collection of PAYE tax from Judges.When the matter was taken up today (09 Feb.), before a judge bench, comprising Justices Dhammika Ganepola, Neil Iddawela and Sobhitha Rajakaruna the interim order issued to prevent the collection of the PAYE tax from the salaries of judges was extended. The petition will be taken up again on the 21st of this month.   

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is encouraging older people with a physical or mental health condition, or a disability, to check if they are entitled to claim a benefit worth either £61.85 or £92.40 every week.

COLOMBO (News 1st);  Bank employees reported to work dressed in Black to protest against the government's tax regime.The Ceylon Bank Employees Union said that all members reported to work dressed in Black in support of the National Protest Day.The Ceylon Bank Employees Union also said that the government has failed to respond to the amendments put forward by the professionals with regard to the new tax policy, and thus strict trade union action will be instituted.Over 3,000 bank employees from Public, Private and International Banks joined the protest.The Inland Revenue Department on Wednesday (8) issued a circular on exempting non-cash benefits provided to employees including vehicle, fuel allowances, housing, medical benefits etc. from the PAYE tax.These also include the value of company shares or the share options offered by employers, the value of the telephone allowances and concessionary rate loans obtained by employees. However, the Government Medical Officers' Association alleged that the amendments to the PAYE Tax were made to benefit only the 225 MPs in Parliament.Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The bodies of two women were discovered in a house in Peraghamulla, Ginigathhena.Sri Lanka Police said that a mother and her daughter were found dead inside a house in Peraghamulla, Ginigathhena.Neighbours had informed Sri Lanka Police that the mother and daughter were not seen for days, and a foul odour was emitting from the residence.Accordingly, the police discovered the two bodies on Thursday (9) morning.A 50-year-old woman and her 30-year-old daughter were identified as the deceased individuals.Sri Lanka Police said that the deceased woman's husband and son were employed in Colombo.

Reece Donnelly has quit The Apprentice due to health reasons, it has been confirmed.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Lanka Sathosa has further reduced the prices of several essential goods with effect from Thursday (9).1kg of Watana has been reduced of Rs. 10/- to Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Inland Revenue Department on Wednesday (8) issued a circular on exempting non-cash benefits provided to employees including vehicle, fuel allowances, housing, medical benefits etc. from the PAYE tax.These also include the value of company shares or the share options offered by employers, the value of the telephone allowances and concessionary rate loans obtained by employees. However, the Government Medical Officers' Association alleged that the amendments to the PAYE Tax were made to benefit only the 225 MPs in Parliament.Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Sri Lankan Minister A. H. M.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court pointed out to the Criminal Investigations Department that MP Diana Gamage can be arrested as it appears that she had violated the Immigration and Emigration Law.Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis pointed out the matter to the CID when a private plaint filed by Lakmal Herath was taken up for consideration. The complaint filed with the court notes that MP Diana Gamage is NOT a Sri Lankan Citizen and that she is a British Citizen.

New Delhi: India has reported 109 new covid cases in the last 24 hours, with active cases declining to 1,781, the union health ministry data on Thursday showed. ' The total number of covid cases has reached 4.47 crore, and covid related deaths stood at 530,748 since the onset of covid pandemic. Covid cases are declining across the country with daily and weekly positivity recorded at 0.08%.

The Government of Switzerland has contributed Swiss Francs (CHF) 500,000 through UNICEF to meet the urgent needs of children impacted by the economic crisis in Sri Lanka.With this funding, UNICEF will procure essential medical supplies, including medicines for treatment of illnesses and complications among children and women.In education, the funds will help children in disadvantaged schools continue learning and support catch-up classes to recover learning loss, including by providing transport allowance to teachers and daily snacks to students.UNICEF will also support case management for children facing violence, neglect and family separation, including children with a disability.“UNICEF and partners swiftly responded to the needs of the most vulnerable children from the outset of the economic crisis last year, with thanks to the support of donors. This contribution from the Swiss government and people is crucial in sustaining the response and protecting children from the effects of the crisis as it continues”, said Christian Skoog, Representative, UNICEF Sri LankaThe Swiss contribution will also be used to support data collection and analysis to assess the impact of the on-going crisis on households’ social and economic well-being and vulnerabilities, to help national and development partners put in place effective response strategies.“Switzerland has worked closely with many partners, including UNICEF in addressing the needs of communities during crises such as the one that Sri Lanka faces now.

Indian Union minister L.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The body of an unidentified male was discovered on the shores of Crow Island in Mattakkuliya.Sri Lanka Police said the identity of the deceased is yet to be ascertained.The remains were moved to the morgue of the National Hospital in Colombo.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policy has instructed the Treasury Secretary to only provide provisions for essential government expenses in order to maintain public services until the state revenue situation improves.The list of expenditure to be funded include salaries, debt servicing, pensions, medical supplies for hospitals, subsidies for low-income groups, scholarships, farmers’ pensions, school nutrition programs, payments for war heroes and disabled soldiers, utility payments, food supplies for hospitals and prisons, among others.This move is expected to have a significant impact on the economy, as it will prioritize the most important needs of the people and prevent funds from being misused. The Treasury has stressed the importance of sticking to the list of essential expenditure, as releasing funds for any other purpose could negatively impact the people and slow down the country’s economic recovery.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe delivering his Government’s Policy Statement following the ceremonial opening of the parliament session said that the country needs media reforms, and for this purpose a national policy on mass media is being prepared."In order to succeed in economic, social and political reforms, it is essential to make the community aware, based on accurate facts. The main role of making the society aware belongs to the media," said the President in Parliament.He also said that journalists should be given national and international level training in that regard. "In 1993, as the Prime Minister, I appointed a Committee with Dr.

Paul Rudd is sharing the great news regarding Jeremy Renner‘s recovery!

The tourism minister said that approximately 6.19 million foreign tourists were received in India during 2022. “This is a four-fold increase in the number of arrivals over the last year.” New Delhi: Despite the severe effects of Covid-19 pandemic on the tourism sector, India saw a boost in foreign tourist arrivals in 2022, said tourism minister G Kishan Reddy said on Wednesday. Addressing the inaugural session of the 1st Tourism Working Group meeting under India’s G20 presidency, the minister said that approximately 6.19 million foreign tourists were received in India during 2022.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Non-cash benefits were removed from the PAYE tax category, said President’s Trade Union Director General Saman Ratnapriya on Wednesday (8).A Senior Official from the Finance Ministry also confirmed that the relevant circular was issued.The government's controversial new tax law, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, was passed in Parliament and the new tax regime imposed an extraordinary maximum 36% tax bracket on monthly income, with the lowest bracket starting at 6% for those earning over Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Military and Police Units equipped in riot gear were seen stationed at multiple locations in Fort, Colombo as Trade Unions launched protests against the governments' unjust tax regime.Trade Unions in Sri Lanka have declared Wednesday the 8th of February as a day for protests.Trade Unions are protesting against the government's failure to address the medicine shortage, and the unjust tax regime imposed by the government.The Government Medical Officers Association, a party to the Professionals' Trade Union Collective launched a 24-hour token strike across all Private and State hospitals.The Federation of University Teachers' Association also decided to engage in a one-day token strike.Trade Unions from the electricity, water supply, petroleum and port sectors organized joint protests in Fort, Colombo on Wednesday (8) afternoon.Port sector trade unions announced a work-to-rule action in the morning, and joined the protest in the afternoon.The water supply, petroleum and power supply sector trade unions announced that they will take sick leave on Wednesday (8) and join the protest without reporting to work.Activities across hospitals, universities, divisional secretaries, and other sectors affected by the trade union action launched by the Professionals' Trade Union CollectiveHowever, the Ceylon Electricity Board Technological Engineers and Superintendent Union stated that although they support the protest against the unjust tax regime, they will be taking necessary measures to supply electricity without disruption. A.G.U.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that if the country continues according to the existing plan, Sri Lanka can rise out of bankruptcy by 2026.While delivering his Government’s Policy Statement following the ceremonial opening of the parliament session, President Wickremesinghe said that people will realize the importance of the present unpopular decisions in two to three years."Due to the measures taken, we have been successful in reducing the burden gradually. Now there is stability in the economy. People are comfortable.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Fort Magistrate's Court rejected a request by the police to issue an order preventing protests against the unjust tax regime, from proceeding to several roads in Fort, Colombo.Sri Lanka Police had requested an order preventing the protests in Colombo from entering the Fort Police Jurisdiction, and this request was turned down by Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage on Wednesday (8).While rejecting the request, the Fort Magistrate noted that those engaged in the protests have the right to engage in peaceful protests and marches, as per the provisions of the constitution.The Magistrate however ordered for Sri Lanka Police to act as per the powers vested in them if any party is found to be behaving in an unruly manner.At the same time, the court also rejected a request made by the Cinnamon Gardens Police to issue an order preventing protestors from entering into several roads in Colombo.Sri Lanka Police requested the Colombo Chief Magistrate to issue an order preventing protestors from entering Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Hector Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Mahagamasekera Mawatha, Thurstan Road, and Ernest De Silva Mawatha.While rejecting the request, the Colombo Chief Magistrate ordered for Sri Lanka Police to act as per the powers vested in them if any party is found to be behaving in an unruly manner.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Maha Sangha have launched a protest march against the decision to fully implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.The protest march is organized by the Bhikku Collective representing the three main Buddhist Sects.Before the protest march, a Sangha convention took place at the Perakumba Pirivena in Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte on Wednesday (8) against the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.When the protest march reached the Polduwa Junction on Parliament Road, police obstructed the monks and others from proceeding forward.  

COLOMBO (News 1st); Trade Unions in Sri Lanka have declared Wednesday the 8th of February as a day for protests.Trade Unions will be protesting against the government's failure to address the medicine shortage, and the unjust tax regime imposed by the government.They are expected to gather at Hyde Park in Colombo on Wednesday (8) afternoon.The Government Medical Officers Association, a party to the Professionals' Trade Union Collective said that a 24-hour token strike will be launched on Wednesday across all Private and State hospitals.The Federation of University Teachers' Associations also decided to engage in a one-day token strike.Trade Unions from the electricity, water supply, petroleum and port sectors are preparing for a joint protest in Fort, Colombo on Wednesday (8) afternoon.Port sector trade unions have announced a work-to-rule action in the morning, and are to join the protest in the afternoon.The water supply, petroleum and power supply sector trade unions announced that they will take sick leave on Wednesday (8) and join the protest without reporting to work.Activities across hospitals, universities, divisional secretaries, and other sectors affected by the trade union action launched by the Professionals' Trade Union CollectiveHowever, the Ceylon Electricity Board Technological Engineers and Superintendent Union stated that although they support the protest against the unjust tax regime, they will be taking necessary measures to supply electricity without disruption. A.G.U.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo High Court on Tuesday (7) sentenced to death a father of two who was found guilty of killing a young man suspected of having an affair with his wife.He was accused of stabbing the man 16-times resulting in his death.Colombo High Court Judge Nawaratne Marasinghe sentenced the accused Asika Maduka to death after the prosecution proved the charges against the accused beyond reasonable doubt.The Attorney General had filed the case against the accused for killing Sadun Prasad in Mutuwal on the 12th of March 2018.The complaint noted that the accused was an employee at a local government institution, and on one particular day he had returned home to find his wife missing.The complaint also noted that the accused had started searching for his wife in his three-wheeler and during the search he had seen his wife traveling in a three-wheeler with the victim.It also noted that the accused had chased after them, and had an argument with both his wife and the victim.The complaint further noted that thereafter, the lifeless body of the victim was found on the street.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Government Medical Officers Association, a party to the Professionals Trade Union Collective said that a 24-hour token strike will be launched on Wednesday (8) across all Private and State hospitals.Trade Unions in Sri Lanka have declared Wednesday the 8th of February as a day for protests.Trade Unions will be protesting against the government's failure to address the medicine shortage, and the unjust tax regime imposed by the government.They are expected to gather at Hyde Park in Colombo on Wednesday (8) afternoon.Dr Chamil Wijesinghe, the spokesperson for the GMOA said that the strike will NOT affect emergency treatment services, Children's hospitals, maternity hospitals, cancer hospitals, tri-forces hospitals, kidney treatment, etc. The token strike will commence at 8 AM on Wednesday (8) and will continue to the following day.

COLOMBO (News1st) – The Catholic Church questions how Sri Lanka can proudly celebrate its independence at a time when the country's economy and the rule of law is in disarray.   At a media briefing in Colombo today, Media Spokesperson of the Catholic Church, Reverend Father Cyril Gamini stated, "We must question how independence day can be celebrated proudly at a cost of Rs.200 million in a country that is unable to meet its foreign debt obligations, a country that is bankrupt". He further explained the situation in the country, that "30% of the population is starving, 33.4% of children under 5 years are suffering from malnutrition, many people are being laid off, small and medium scale businesses are crashing, the rule of law has deteriorated severely,human rights are being violated without any remorse, laws including the PTA are being misused to suppress fundamentals rights of the people, electricity cannot be provided continuously even during the A/L exam period and the lives of patients are at risk due to medicine shortages".Rev.

KATE Garraway was close to tears as she grilled former Health Secretary Matt Hancock over flouting lockdown guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic. The emotional Good Morning Britain host, 55, called out the I'm A Celebrity star for his actions and flagged how her husband Derek Draper was left fighting for his life after contracting Covid in 2020.

COLOMBO (News 1st) : Sri Lanka's Port Workers have warned of a continued struggle if the government does not withdraw if unjust tax regime.Hundreds of port workers protested on Monday (27) in Colombo during the lunch break.The Sri Lankan government has imposed an income tax regime from 6% to 36% on all monthly earnings of over Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Election Commission says that more than four election monitoring bodies will be permitted to monitor the upcoming Local Government elections.The Chairman of the commission Nimal Punchihewa said that People's Action for Free & Fair Elections or PAFFREL, Campaign for Free and Fair Elections or CAFFE , Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) and other organizations would be given permission to monitor the Local Government Election.The Chairman of the National Election Commission further added that only two election monitoring bodies are permitted to enter the polling station to monitor the election process.Executive Director of People's Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Rohana Hettiarachchi says that around 7,000 independent observers would be deployed for the upcoming local government election. He added that the number of election monitors deployed at district level would be increased from next week. 

Colombo (News 1st) – Sri Lanka’s Government has taken the extraordinary decision to ‘definitely prosecute’ members of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, the state’s own human rights protection body, a key government minister announced Sunday (29th).In addition, on the same matter, the government is preparing charges to remove the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, the controlling body for electricity distribution, a decision that ruling party MPs have approved, the minister said.The dispute swirls around an order by the Human Rights Commission (HRCSL) that the state-owned power company, Ceylon Electricity Board, which has a monopoly on power supply nationwide, should not impose power cuts during a 2-week period in January when high school senior students are sitting their main exams, the GCE Advanced Level, as it infringes upon the children’s right to education.The Advanced Level exams are crucial in that they determine entrance into the state university system. Entry into Sri Lanka’s state universities is fiercely competitive, with only about 25,000 students gaining admission annually although over 300,000 sit the exams.Last week the HRCSL acted upon a large number of complaints from parents of students and summoned the Secretary of the Ministry of Power and Energy, the members of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), both of which are governing bodies of the power company, and several other related bodies, and obtained a promise that there would be no power cuts.However, the Ceylon Electricity Board flouted the order of the HRCSL and the PUCSL and went ahead with the power cuts.

Colombo (News 1st) – Election monitoring organizations say that 7,000 independent observers will be deployed to monitor the Local Government Election.Executive director of election monitoring body People's Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Rohana Hettiarachchi said steps will be taken to increase the number of election observers deployed at district level, from next week.He said a majority of the observers will be deployed on election day.Hettiarachchi added however the observers will also cover the period leading up to the election and the post election period.

Diversification, not decoupling  For now, US government figures through to November show total US-China trade could approach or hit a high in 2022. "Going forward, you're going to see more diversification," as opposed to a complete cut-off of shipments from China, said Sweet. Auto manufacturers, for example, experienced supply chain problems during the pandemic.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the All Party Leaders' Conference on Reconciliation that the Cabinet was agreeable to fully implementing 13th Amendment, until the Party Leaders decide whether or not to abolish the Amendment.This was reported by the President's Media Division on Friday (27).President Ranil Wickremesinghe had said that he is bound to implement the existing law in accordance with the executive powers of the President.He had said further that the 13th Amendment to the Constitution is being implemented accordingly or the Parliament should abolish the 13th amendment.The President Wickremesinghe also pointed out that any parliamentarian could move a private member’s bill to abolish the 13th Amendment to the constitution and the same amendment would have to be implemented provided that the bill was voted against by the majority of the House.The President stressed that he was not ready to divide the country.President Wickremesinghe made these remarks at the All-Party Conference, which was held at the President's Office on Thursday (26) evening.The statement made by the President is as follows:It is my responsibility as the Executive to carry out the current law. For approximately 37 years, the 13th Amendment has been a part of the constitution.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said that the officials from the Ministry of Power and Energy who attended a recent meeting with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka had disclosed that they were pressurized to sign two documents that they did not agree do.The Minister tweeted on Friday (27) that the officials were pressurized by two members of the Human Rights Commission, and that they were threatened with jail sentences.On Wednesday (25), the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka revealed that all the  necessary stakeholders including Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) agreed to provide uninterrupted power supply during the advanced level examination period until February 17th.However, despite the statement from the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, power outages were experienced on Wednesday (25) and Thursday (26).The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka on Friday (27) said it will elaborate facts to the Supreme Court against officials including the Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board and the Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy for breaching an agreement by suspending the supply of power. Speaking further, an official from the HRCS said it has been observed that the CEB and the Ministry of Power and Energy are operating arbitrarily, going against the laws of the land. Meanwhile, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka directing a letter to the Chairman of the HRCSL said that it will not approve power outages occurring during the period between the 26th of January and 17th of February. The Human Rights Commission emphasized that if the CEB does not act according to the directive, the HRCSL has the ability to act according to Section 21 of the Sri

 COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ceylon Electricity Board said that it has not yet reached a decision to suspend power cuts during the period of the G. C.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday (27) was seen getting into the defendant's dock when the case filed with the Fort Magistrate's Court against him for failing to prevent the 2019 April Attacks despite receiving credible information about the attacks, was taken up.Initially, he did not get into the dock, and following a clarification made by the court, Sirisena was asked to get into the defendant's dock.An individual who lost a limb in the attacks on the St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade on the 21st of April 2019, and Rev.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Wednesday the 25th of January went down in history as the day in which a majority of the country's public and private sector employees were met with the highest income tax ever-imposed on the monthly salary, and allowances.Some of those working in the public and private sector and got taxes shared horror on social media platforms, noting that in addition to the existing deductions for loans, the new tax had left them with a very low take-home salary.The government's controversial new tax law, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, was passed in Parliament last year.The new tax regime imposes an extraordinary maximum 36% tax bracket on monthly income, with the lowest bracket starting at 6% for those earning over Rs. 100,000/- per month.To protest against the unjust tax policy, a Black Protest Week was launched by the Professionals' Trade Union Alliance, and it will end on Friday (27).Doctors in the public service, university teachers, bank employees, engineers and professionals belonging to 15 organizations that form the Professionals' Trade Union Alliance launched a campaign against the unjust tax regime.The Professionals' Trade Union Alliance warned that if this tax regime continues, the country would experience a mass exodus of its professionals who would seek beneficial employment opportunities elsewhere.Effective from 1st January 2023, the progressive personal income tax rates would be 6%, 12%, 18%, 24%, 30% and 36%.The new tax regime will impose an extraordinary maximum 36% tax bracket on monthly income, with the lowest bracket starting at 6% for those earning over Rs.

The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) – 2023 bilateral exercise successfully concluded in Sri Lanka  on 26th January 2023. Hosted by the U.S. Pacific Fleet in partnership with the Sri Lanka Navy, CARAT – 2023 Exercise was held in Colombo, Trincomalee and Mullikulam from 19th to 25th January.The closing ceremony of CARAT – 2023 was held on board ‘USS Anchorage’ at the pier side of Colombo harbour under the auspices of U.S.

Cindy Crawford's brunette bombshell daughter Kaia Gerber, 21, started modeling as a teen which forced her to travel alone all around the world while her parents stayed in Malibu.And in the February issue of Elle, which she has posed for the cover of, the beauty shared that sometimes she felt 'lonely' without her family nearby which impacted her mental health, but now she is working from home more. She added it helps to have a therapist as well.

Officials from the health ministry, AIIMS, National Centre for Disease Control, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and NDMA are devising a mechanism along with state governments to put it into action. New Delhi: The government is setting up 100 teams that will respond to health emergencies, including pandemics, along the lines of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Officials from the health ministry, AIIMS, National Centre for Disease Control, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and NDMA are devising a mechanism along with state governments to put it into action.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Keselwatte Police on Tuesday (24) withdrew a B report that it filed with the court regarding a group of lawyers who protested opposite the Hultsdorf Magistrate's Court on the 18th of January 2023.Lawyers protested on that day against the conduct of the Attorney General's Department and the undue influence on Colombo Additional Magistrate Tharanga' Mahawatte.Sri Lanka Police filed the B report with the court, and Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis upon considering the report ordered Sri Lanka Police to inquire into the matter, and produce a report.However, when the complaint was called up on Tuesday (24) the Keselwatte Police requested permission from the court to withdraw the B report without taking further action on the matter.Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis granted permission to the request and concluded the matter.On Monday (23), IGP C. D.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Retired Major Attorney Ajith Prasanna was found guilty by the Supreme Court on Tuesday (24) for contempt of court. He was sentenced to 4 years rigorous imprisonment and was also fined Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Police on Friday (20) prevented a protest march organized by the University Teachers.The Federation of University Teachers' Associations organized this protest march against the government's new income tax regime that imposes a tax between 6% to 36% for anyone with a monthly income of over Rs. 100,000/-.  The protest march commenced from opposite the University of Colombo.However, when they reached the Nelum Pokuna Theatre Sri Lanka Police prevented them from marching forward by blocking the road.As Sri Lanka Police continued to obstruct the protest march, the FUTA members boarded several buses and reached the Finance Ministry.The Federation of University Teachers Associations then joined with the protest that was organized by the Professionals Trade Union Collective opposite the Finance Ministry.The Federation of University Teachers Associations, Government Medical Officers' Association, Ceylon Bank Employees Union, CEB Engineers Union and several other professional bodies joined the protest.Vehicular movement along Lotus Road in Colombo came to a standstill due to the protest.