<ul><li>Five-year prison term also set aside</li><li>Case to return to original court for rehearing</li><li>Govt thanks Saudi Arabia, diplomats and legal teams</li><li>President: ‘No Lankan migrant worker should stand alone’</li><li>Govt assures continued support to Anojan and family</li></ul> The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has set aside the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, marking a significant development in Sri Lanka’s diplomatic and legal efforts to secure a favourable outcome in his case, the Government announced yesterday (14).Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra announced the decision following an appeal pursued with the involvement of a Sri Lankan legal delegation that travelled to Saudi Arabia. However, the ruling does not mean that Sivarasa has been released from prison or that the case has concluded. The matter is expected to return to the original court for further proceedings.Speaking to The Daily Morning, MP Mohamed Faiszer Musthapha, who was part of the delegation, said the original court would rehear the case. He said the Saudi court’s decision had set aside both the death sentence and the five-year prison term imposed on Sivarasa, who hails from Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province and was employed in Saudi Arabia.Musthapha said Sivarasa had been sentenced under Sharia law rather than cybercrime legislation.Musthapha travelled to Saudi Arabia with Justice M T Mohamed Laffar, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah; Hafeez Azard Navavi, President’s Counsel and Additional Solicitor General of the Attorney General’s Department; K A Upul Indika Kumarapperuma, President’s Counsel; Farisz Fazal Abdul Hafeel Mohomed, Attorney-at-Law; and Mohamed Riyasdeen Silmy, Coordinating Secretary to MP Musthapha.Musthapha credited the outcome to the collective efforts of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Saudi Arabia, the Sri Lankan delegation and the Saudi legal team. He also expressed appreciation to the Saudi Government for its role in the development.Deputy Minister Hemachandra described the decision on social media as a major relief for Sivarasa and his family, saying it followed sustained diplomatic engagement and coordinated legal efforts. He also expressed the Government’s appreciation to Saudi Arabia and acknowledged the collective efforts of Sri Lankan authorities.Sivarasa had been sentenced to death by a Saudi appellate court in a case reportedly linked to allegations of blasphemy arising from a comment he posted on Facebook.The Sri Lankan delegation had met Saudi legal representatives to discuss the case and establish the appropriate procedures for appealing before the Supreme Court. Musthapha said the discussions focused on ensuring that the appeal was prepared and submitted in accordance with Saudi Arabian law.Minister of Mass Media Dr Nalinda Jayatissa had previously said that diplomatic efforts were under way to seek a reduction in the sentence imposed on Sivarasa.The development drew reactions from Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Mano Ganesan and Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, who expressed relief over the decision on social media.Ganesan described the setting aside of the death sentence as a tremendous relief for the country. He said the Government had fulfilled its responsibility while political parties, civil society and the public had united in hope and prayer, transcending political divisions. He described the response as an example of national unity, with the country speaking with one voice.Social media users from India, Pakistan and other countries in the region also called on the Sri Lankan, Indian and Saudi Arabian governments to intervene and secure Sivarasa’s release from prison.President Dissanayake welcomed the Saudi Supreme Court’s decision, saying it brought relief to Sivarasa, his family and Sri Lankans who had followed the case with concern.In a social media statement, the President said the outcome highlighted the importance of patient diplomacy, respect for the legal processes of a friendly nation and the efforts of those who supported a Sri Lankan citizen abroad.He expressed appreciation to the Saudi Government and thanked Saudi and Sri Lankan diplomats, civil servants and legal teams for their dedicated efforts. He also assured that the Government would continue to provide all necessary support to Sivarasa and his family as the remaining legal proceedings continued.“No Sri Lankan who leaves our shores in search of a livelihood should ever feel that they stand alone,” the President said.

 Saudi SC sets aside Anojan’s death sentence 

<ul><li>Unless the religious order objects&nbsp;</li><li>HRCSL probes legality of Gnanasara Thera’s robe removal</li></ul> Justice Minister, attorney Harshana Nanayakkara said that according to the recommendations of the interim committee report, a Buddhist monk who is taken outside the prison is permitted to wear his monastic robe, unless the chapter to which he belongs objects to it.&nbsp;Furthermore, based on the recommendations of the committee tasked with updating prison regulations, the committee has proposed amending Standing Orders (SOs) 356 to 356(A) and issuing an interim directive to amend Departmental Order 550. He also stated that instructions have been issued to amend the prison SOs in accordance with the relevant recommendations. "A proposal has been made to amend Prison SO 356 by adding a Subsection — 356(A). Accordingly, when a Buddhist monk is incarcerated, the Prisons Commissioner is granted a 10-day period to notify the Buddhist Affairs Department and take appropriate action regarding the removal of the standard prisoner's uniform that the monk would otherwise be required to wear. Should a member of the clergy from another religion become an inmate, these provisions are to be adapted and applied accordingly. Furthermore, an amendment is being introduced to Departmental Order 550 through the addition of a new section. Under this amendment, if a Buddhist monk is taken out of the prison, full permission is granted for him to wear his monastic robes during that time. This permission remains valid until such time a notification is received from the monk's respective religious order (sect) requesting otherwise.The interim committee report regarding this matter has also been conveyed to the Acting Prisons Commissioner General via a formal letter.The interim report of the special committee appointed to update the rules, regulations and Standing Orders (SOs) under the Prisons Ordinance was handed over to President’s Secretary Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake yesterday (14) at the Presidential Secretariat.The committee was appointed following a discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Buddhist clergy representing the three Buddhist sects on 8 October. It was tasked with studying the relevant matters and submitting proposals to amend the regulations and SOs within two weeks.Accordingly, the committee submitted revised proposals relating to regulations governing the imprisonment of Buddhist monks and other religious clergy.The report was handed over by committee Chairperson and Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Prince Senadheera. Committee members, including Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice Piyumanthi Peiris, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration Wasantha Ariyaratne, Buddhist Affairs Commissioner-General R.M.G. Senaratne and Prisons Department Commissioner A.C. Gajanayake, were also present.Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) is investigating whether the removal of the robe of Gnanasara Thera was lawful and whether alternative measures could have been adopted, it is learnt.Speaking to The Daily Morning, HRCSL Member/Commissioner and Attorney Nimal G. Punchihewa said the Commission had received a complaint about the incident and was seeking a report from the Department before proceeding with its investigation.“We have received a complaint about this, and we are requesting a report from the Department. Based on that, we intend to conduct an investigation,” he said.Punchihewa said the HRCSL would examine several aspects of the incident, including whether removing the monk’s robe was lawful, the grounds on which the decision was made and whether alternative measures could have been taken without removing it.

Clergy permitted to wear robes outside prison 

<ul><li>Recommendations issued to Govt, Archaeology Dept, IGP, CEA</li></ul> The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has called on the Government and key State institutions to address a range of human rights concerns in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, including enforced disappearances, mass graves, military occupation of land, religious freedom and alleged intimidation of activists and communities.In a report on the human rights situation in the two provinces, the Commission has made recommendations to the Government, the Department of Archaeology, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA).The HRCSL has recommended amending the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance Act to recognise widespread and systematic enforced disappearance as an offence. It has also called for a comprehensive list of those who surrendered, were detained or sent for rehabilitation at the end of the war, along with the military officers responsible for them.The report calls for adequate and independent funding for the Office on Missing Persons to investigate the fate and whereabouts of disappeared persons. It also recommends establishing an independent institution with powers to investigate enforced disappearances and prosecute those responsible.On mass graves, the Commission has urged the adoption of standard operating procedures for investigations, timely allocation of funds and the deployment of archaeological experts. It has also recommended obtaining international expertise and technology for DNA analysis and dating human remains, as well as establishing a voluntary DNA bank for families of disappeared persons.The report calls for a commission of inquiry into the expulsion and long-term displacement of Northern Muslims, a State-supported resettlement programme and measures to address land ownership and voting rights.On militarisation and land disputes, the HRCSL has recommended ending military occupation of private and community-owned land unless legally justified, expediting the return of occupied land and withdrawing military involvement from civilian economic sectors, particularly agriculture and education.It has also urged authorities to protect religious freedom, prevent discriminatory enforcement of regulations and uphold court orders protecting religious rights. The report calls for a national memorialisation policy that distinguishes legitimate commemoration from incitement to violence.The IGP has been urged to stop intimidation, harassment, surveillance and arbitrary arrests of people exercising their constitutional freedoms, investigate alleged misconduct by officers and take disciplinary action where necessary.The CEA has been asked to scrutinise environmental impact assessments, ensure that permits and licences are valid before approving projects and take action against unauthorised developments, including the Kilinochchi Cement Plant and Mannar Sand Mining projects.The Commission has also called for stronger protection of fishing and farming livelihoods, transparent development processes and accountability over alleged abuses involving State officials and private companies.

HRCSL flags rights violations in North, East  

<ul><li>Interpol Red Notice to be sought&nbsp;</li></ul> The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday (14) issued an arrest warrant for former Minister Basil Rajapaksa over the alleged misuse of Rs 7.8 million in Tourism Promotion Bureau funds during the 2014 Uva Provincial Council Election.The Magistrate also directed the Illegal Assets Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to take steps to obtain a Red Notice through the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol).The orders were issued following submissions made by the CID regarding the alleged misuse of funds allocated to the Tourism Promotion Bureau in 2014.The CID’s Illegal Assets Investigation Unit informed the Court that the Rs 7.8 million had not been used for the Bureau’s promotional activities as intended. Instead, the funds had allegedly been used to provide 12,000 T-shirts during the Uva Provincial Council Election, causing a financial loss to the Government.

Court issues warrant for Basil 

Opposition Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has sought President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s intervention to ease access to bank loans for individuals who have fully settled their outstanding debts, proposing a series of reforms to the Credit Information Bureau (CRIB) through the 2027 Budget.In a letter to Dissanayake, Rajapaksa noted that individuals who had experienced repayment difficulties in the past but subsequently settled their debts in full often face obstacles in obtaining fresh loans due to their credit histories recorded by the CRIB.He said bank loans were essential for existing business owners seeking to expand their operations and new entrepreneurs looking to start businesses.Although the CRIB does not blacklist individuals, historical information on repaid loans remains in its records for up to five years, affecting borrowers’ ability to obtain credit, he noted.Pointing to Malaysia’s Central Credit Reference Information System as an alternative model, Rajapaksa said the system promptly updates a loan’s status once it has been fully repaid and primarily reflects repayment histories covering the preceding 12 months.He has proposed five measures for inclusion in the 2027 Budget: updating CRIB records within five working days of a loan being fully repaid; clearly marking settled loans as “Fully Settled/Closed”; issuing guidelines for banks to assess applicants based on their current income and repayment capacity, in addition to past credit difficulties; reviewing the credit information retention period during 2027 in line with international best practices; and introducing a second-chance business loan scheme for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that have fully settled their debts.“A person who was previously unable to repay a loan but has since settled the debt in full should be given an opportunity to contribute to the economy again,” Rajapaksa said, adding that such measures would benefit not only business owners but also the country’s economic growth.

Namal seeks CRIB reforms

<ul><li>CPCEC relies on AG instead of having dedicated Legal Affairs Director&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has questioned why the Director of Commercial Operations of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (CPCEC), Radika Obeyesekere, also holds the position of Director of Legal Affairs, with the Commission defending its decision not to appoint a dedicated director for legal affairs.The issue was raised by COPF Chairperson Dr Harsha de Silva during a meeting with the CPCEC on 8 October, when he questioned the Commission’s arrangements for handling legal and commercial operations.Responding, CPCEC Chairperson President’s Counsel Harsha Amarasekera said advertisements had been published for both posts before the previous Commission was dissolved. However, the new Commission had not been aware that its predecessor had an arrangement with the Attorney General’s (AG) Department to obtain legal advice on most matters.He said that, after reviewing the applications, the new Commission had decided to continue with the existing arrangement and refer substantive and significant legal matters to the AG’s Department. Consequently, the post of Director of Legal Affairs had not been filled.Amarasekera explained that Obeyesekere, who had been selected for the post of Director of Commercial Operations, had a legal background, which the Commission considered sufficient to assist with legal affairs in coordination with the AG’s Department and the Finance Ministry.He added that the Commission had recently decided that the Director of Commercial Operations could also coordinate legal matters, including communications with the AG’s Department, and sign off on matters in the capacity of Director of Legal Affairs.However, de Silva pointed out that the AG’s Department handled legal matters for the entire Government and not just the CPCEC, noting that Government institutions routinely sought its advice.He also highlighted the Commission’s regulatory responsibilities, including considering permit applications and making decisions on regulatory matters, stressing the importance of appropriate legal oversight.De Silva further observed that the former Director of Legal Affairs had not participated in CPCEC meetings, a matter that had been identified subsequently. He also questioned whether the current Chairperson of SriLankan Airlines, A K D D Dimal Arandara, had sufficient time to handle matters relating to the CPCEC.In response, Amarasekera said Arandara handled matters concerning the CPCEC Act and its regulatory framework at the Ministry, with the Commission liaising with him on such matters.De Silva also raised concerns over the CPCEC gazetting certain items as duty-free, underlining the need for legal scrutiny of decisions affecting the Port City’s operations.Meanwhile, Opposition Parliamentarian Shanakiyan Rasamanickam questioned whether the Commission experienced delays in obtaining legal advice from the AG’s Department, noting that responses to referrals could sometimes take considerable time.Although it was pointed out that the matter was not on the meeting’s agenda, Amarasekera said the Commission had not experienced any undue delays from the AG’s Department that had obstructed or prevented its work.Rasamanickam said he wished other institutions could receive similar attention and timely responses from the Department.

COPF questions Port City legal post arrangement

The Education Ministry said yesterday (14) that there was no need for an island-wide preparedness programme for schools to deal with the effects of El Niño at this stage, as the expected impact was likely to be concentrated in three Districts, with measures being planned for schools in those areas.Speaking to The Daily Morning, Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa said the information available to the Ministry indicated that El Niño would not affect the entire country in the same way, and that preparations would focus on the Districts expected to experience the strongest effects.“At present, we have been told that El Niño is likely to have a major impact mainly on three Districts. We have identified those Districts and are implementing the necessary measures for the schools in those areas,” he said.The Ministry’s comments follow a recent claim by the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) that schools had not received preparedness measures or instructions to deal with possible disruptions linked to changing weather conditions in the coming months.Speaking to The Daily Morning, CTU President Priyantha Fernando said El Niño-related weather changes could disrupt school activities and that preparations should be made in advance.“There definitely needs to be preparedness. Otherwise, school activities could face major disruptions like they did during Cyclone Ditwah,” he said.Warnings have indicated that Sri Lanka could experience above-normal rainfall this month (October) and next month (November), followed by drier conditions in the early months of next year (2027) as El Niño strengthens.Meteorology Department Director General Ajith Wijemannage previously said that El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean had strengthened further during August, with global forecasts showing unusually high sea-surface temperatures across key monitoring regions.He said Sri Lanka could experience relatively low rainfall during the last two weeks of September, followed by a gradual increase towards October and November.

El Nino school preparations in 3 Districts 

The Food Security Ministry has launched a programme in collaboration with the Fisheries Ministry and the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) to improve public access to quality food and make protein-rich food more affordable, amid concerns over child malnutrition and related nutritional issues.Speaking to The Daily Morning, Deputy Food Security Minister R M Jayawardena said that improving eating habits and ensuring the availability of protein-rich food are essential to addressing the country’s longstanding nutritional problems.&nbsp;“We are collaborating with the CAA to make sure that consumers receive quality food without harmful chemicals,” he said. He noted that the country’s food culture is largely carbohydrate-based and stressed the need to incorporate more protein into daily meals. “For that, we have started a programme with the Fisheries Ministry to increase fish production in rural areas. We have started breeding fish and releasing them into tanks.&nbsp;Hence, rural people will be able to consume fish at a reasonable price,” he said. Jayawardena added that the Government is also working to maintain affordable prices for eggs and meat. He said that taxes are imposed only on imported meat, adding that the volume of imported meat remained relatively low. Meanwhile, the Government is continuing efforts to control the prices of other types of meat, including beef.The comments came in response to questions about World Bank reports indicating concerns over child stunting in the country due to nutritional deficiencies. Local academics have also repeatedly highlighted the need to make protein-rich foods more affordable through alternative measures, including imposing higher taxes on sweets and confectioneries, as a potential solution to help prevent malnutrition among children.

To address stunting: Protein-rich food to be made accessible

The Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) called on electricity companies and the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to make public the cost and financial data used to determine electricity tariffs, despite no revisions being made for the third quarter of this year (July-September 2026) and none expected for the fourth quarter (October-December).Speaking to The Daily Morning, ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said the public should have access to the information used to determine whether tariff changes were necessary.“The Energy Minister has said that there is no need for an electricity tariff revision in the fourth quarter, and the PUCSL earlier said that no revision was required for the third quarter. But the electricity companies and the PUCSL must present the relevant data to the public,” he said.He said the electricity companies’ profits had become a reason for maintaining existing tariffs, adding that the public should be able to examine the figures behind such decisions.“There is a law which says that tariffs should be revised four times a year. So, why is that not being done? If quarterly revisions are no longer necessary, then the law should be changed,” he said.Multiple attempts to contact Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka, Deputy Energy Minister Arkam Ilyas and the PUCSL proved futile.The PUCSL decided in August that no electricity tariff revision was required for the third quarter, following a review of the electricity supply cost submitted by the National System Operator Private Limited.After adjustments, the estimated increase in electricity supply costs for the quarter was limited to 0.3%, amounting to Rs 417 million. The PUCSL therefore decided to retain the tariff structure that applied during the second quarter.No proposal for a tariff revision for the fourth quarter has been submitted so far. With insufficient time remaining to process a proposal before the quarter ends, a revision is not expected.

Saudi SC sets aside Anojan’s death sentence

Clergy permitted to wear robes outside prison

Clergy permitted to wear robes ...

HRCSL flags rights violations in North, East

HRCSL flags rights violations ...

Court issues warrant for Basil

Court issues warrant for Basil ...

Namal seeks CRIB reforms

Namal seeks CRIB reforms

COPF questions Port City legal post arrangement

COPF questions Port City legal ...

El Nino school preparations in 3 Districts

El Nino school preparations in ...

To address stunting: Protein-rich food to be made accessible

To address stunting: Protein-r ...

ECA demands tariff data disclosure

ECA demands tariff data disclo ...

Clergy permitted to wear robes outside prison

Clergy permitted to wear robes ...

HRCSL flags rights violations in North, East

HRCSL flags rights violations ...

Court issues warrant for Basil

Court issues warrant for Basil ...

Namal seeks CRIB reforms

Namal seeks CRIB reforms

COPF questions Port City legal post arrangement

COPF questions Port City legal ...

El Nino school preparations in 3 Districts

El Nino school preparations in ...

To address stunting: Protein-rich food to be made accessible

To address stunting: Protein-r ...

ECA demands tariff data disclosure

ECA demands tariff data disclo ...

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Clergy permitted to wear robes outside prison

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HRCSL flags rights violations in North, East

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Court issues warrant for Basil

Court issues warrant for Basil ...

Namal seeks CRIB reforms

Namal seeks CRIB reforms

COPF questions Port City legal post arrangement

COPF questions Port City legal ...

El Nino school preparations in 3 Districts

El Nino school preparations in ...