SJB signals disciplinary action against its Horana organiser after his arrest

News Ex-Justice Minister’s son among three arrested for allegedly demanding bribe from wife of underworld figure Published 3 hours agoon 2026/06/26 The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday said that the arrest of three individuals, including the son of former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) organiser, was in connection with a high-profile bribery investigation linked to underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne alias Harak Kata. Those arrested were Attorney-at-Law Rakhitha Rajapakshe, son of former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, SJB Horana electorate organiser Charith Abeysinghe, and former Civil Aviation Authority Director Aruna Sri Chathuranga. According to the CIABOC, in 2023, while Harak Kata was being held by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), a bribe of Rs. 500 million had allegedly been demanded from his wife, Madushika Madhuwanthi, in Dubai to secure Harak Kata’s release from detention or facilitate his transfer to a prison other than the Boossa High Security Prison in Galle, the CIABOC said. The CIABOC said the alleged bribe had subsequently been reduced to Rs. 200 million, of which Rs. 120 million had allegedly been obtained as an advance payment.The suspects were produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday evening and ordered to be remanded till July 03. by Norman Palihawadane ✍️ News President promises to repeal PTA within next few months Published 3 hours agoon 2026/06/26 President President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday told Parliament that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), which had remained in force for 46 years despite being introduced as a temporary measure, would be repealed within the next few months. The President said Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara had completed drafting the legislation that would replace the PTA and that the final discussions on the matter had already been concluded. “The PTA was introduced in 1979 as a temporary law, but it has continued for the past 46 years. There have been strong public demands for its repeal,” President Dissanayake said. He said the government was committed to abolishing the controversial legislation while ensuring that the country remained equipped to deal with organised crime and serious security threats. The President said a new legal framework would be introduced specifically to address organised criminal activities, with clearly defined provisions and safeguards to prevent misuse. He noted that one of the major criticisms against the PTA was its broad definition of terrorism, which had raised concerns over possible violations of fundamental rights and democratic freedoms. The proposed legislation, he said, would focus narrowly on organised crime while protecting constitutional rights, including freedom of expression and other civil liberties. President Dissanayake also said the government had taken steps to amend the Online Safety Act introduced by the previous administration, instead of implementing it in its existing form.Although the legislation had been passed by Parliament, it had not been enforced under the present administration, he said, adding that Cabinet approval had already been granted to proceed with amendments. He stressed that legal reforms should be carried out through a transparent process that respected public rights, noting that previous instances where laws passed by Parliament were later amended at the Cabinet level had raised concerns regarding transparency and due process.The President said the government’s approach was to ensure that new laws addressed security challenges while maintaining democratic values and safeguarding individual freedoms. By Saman Indrajith ✍️ News Krrish case against Namal: Summons issued to two Indians Published 3 hours agoon 2026/06/26 The Colombo High Court yesterday directed that summons be issued to two Indian witnesses in the case filed against SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa over the controversial Krrish project transaction, following the procedure laid down by the Judicial Service Commission for summoning foreign witnesses. High Court Judge Nadee Aparna Suwandurugoda issued the order when the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed court that efforts to contact the two witnesses had been unsuccessful. The judge ordered that steps be taken to serve the summons in accordance with the established legal procedure applicable to witnesses residing overseas. The Attorney General has filed the case alleging that MP Namal Rajapaksa committed an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by receiving Rs. 70 million from the Indian company Krrish, purportedly for promoting rugby in Sri Lanka. The case was filed over the alleged misuse of funds received in connection with the Krrish project deal. The prosecution has claimed that the payment was obtained under the pretext of supporting rugby development. it alleged that the transaction amounted to a violation of the law. The Colombo High Court in May ordered that the trial be taken up on July 7, following the conclusion of the pre-trial conference last month. The court is expected to consider evidence from several witnesses during the proceedings, including the two Indian nationals for whom summons were ordered yesterday.