BASL urges President not to raise retirement age of Superior Court Judges

03 Jun 2026

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The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), one of the country’s largest professional bodies, has called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake not to proceed with any proposed constitutional amendment aimed at increasing the retirement age of members of the judiciary, including judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

Senior lawyers challenge summons issued on High Court Judge

02 Jun 2026

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Three senior legal professionals have filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal seeking urgent intervention to prevent a sitting High Court Judge from being summoned and questioned regarding judicial decisions made in the course of his official duties, arguing that such action poses a serious threat to judicial independence and the rule of law.

Supreme Court revives Treasury Bond charges against Perpetual Treasuries, others

01 Jun 2026

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The Supreme Court today set aside a High Court-at-Bar order that had discharged several accused including including Perpetual Treasuries Ltd., former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran from key charges in the Central Bank Treasury bond issuance case and ruled that a company can be prosecuted under the Offences Against Public Property Act.

Alleged defamatory remarks to Islam: Court concludes pre-trial conference in Gnanasara Thera case

01 Jun 2026

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The case filed against Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera over allegations that he made defamatory statements against Islam and the Holy Quran in 2014 was taken up before the Colombo High Court today for a pre-trial conference.

Supreme Court rejects Wela Suda’s appeal: Death sentence upheld

01 Jun 2026

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The Supreme Court today dismissed a special leave to appeal application filed by convicted drug trafficker Gampola Vidanage Samantha Kumara, better known as “Wele Suda”, thereby allowing the death sentence imposed on him by the Colombo High Court to stand.

Banks can proceed against guarantors without suing principal debtor first: SC

28 May 2026

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The Supreme Court ruled that a bank is legally entitled to institute action directly against a guarantor without first proceeding against the principal debtor, provided the guarantor has expressly waived that right in the guarantee agreement.

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Wannila Aththo regains heritage lands after court battle

26 May 2026

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The Mahaweli Development Authority today informed the Court of Appeal that the land acquired by the Authority for the proposed Agriculture and Livestock Development Project would be released back to the indigenous community for their use.

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Judgment in Sarana Gunawardena corruption cases postponed

26 May 2026

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The delivery of the judgment in four corruption cases filed against former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena was today postponed to June 9 by the Colombo High Court.

Attack on Galle Face protesters: AG to frame changes against Deshabandu

25 May 2026

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The Attorney General’s Department today informed the Supreme Court that the Attorney General is expected to file indictments against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon over his alleged failure to prevent the attacks on protesters at Galle Face on May 9, 2022.

10-year sentence affirmed for neighbour convicted in underage girl abuse case

23 May 2026

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The Court of Appeal yesterday affirmed the 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence imposed by the Ratnapura High Court on a neighbour convicted of committing grave sexual abuse against an underage girl.

Frontline Socialist Party seeks court order to recover substandard coal losses

21 May 2026

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Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda has filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal seeking an order directing the relevant authorities to recover losses arising from the supply of substandard coal to the Lakvijaya Power Plant from the responsible suppliers.

Handunnetti’s FR petition against alleged sugar scam fixed for July 27

18 May 2026

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The Fundamental Rights petition filed by Minister Sunil Handunnetti, during his tenure as an opposition Parliamentarian, seeking an order to recover Rs. 15.9 billion from those responsible for the alleged sugar fraud that occurred during sugar imports in 2020, was today fixed for support by the Supreme Court.

Who is delaying justice?

15 May 2026

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Concerns have been raised within the legal fraternity over the continuous delay in appointing judges to the Superior Courts, with eight vacancies currently remaining unfilled in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal for several months.

Ex-NIE Director gets six years jail term for contempt of court

14 May 2026

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Former Director of the National Institute of Education (NIE), I.G.S. Premathilaka, was today sentenced to six years of rigorous imprisonment by the Supreme Court after being found guilty of contempt of court in connection with the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination controversy.

Peradeniya Professor barred from academic posts over sexual harassment allegations

12 May 2026

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The Supreme Court directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to bar a Professor attached to the University of Peradeniya from receiving any appointment, whether paid, unpaid or honorary, in any university or academic institution under its purview, following allegations of sexual harassment and emotional abuse of a junior lecturer.

No ‘hide-and-seek’ in universities

Court affirms students’ right to inspect marked scripts

12 May 2026

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While upholding the Right to Information Commission’s decision that the RTI Act prevails over the University By-Laws, the Court of Appeal held that there cannot be hide-and-seek games in higher educational institutions and that every examinee has the right to access their evaluated answer scripts.

Supreme Court orders Election Commission to hold Kalmunai, Sainthamaruthu polls

07 May 2026

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The Supreme Court today ordered the Election Commission to take steps, in accordance with the law, to conduct elections for the appointment of members to the Kalmunai Municipal Council and the Sainthamaruthu Urban Council.

Supreme Court affirms death sentence for convicts in Vidya murder case

06 May 2026

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The Supreme Court today affirmed the death sentences imposed on four convicts on death row over the rape and murder of Sivaloganathan Vidya.

Supreme Court orders replantation near Nakolagane Viharaya

06 May 2026

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The Supreme Court today delivered a judgment ordering the Director General of Wildlife Conservation to initiate a replantation programme to restore cleared forest areas in the immediate vicinity of the Nakolagane Purana Raja Maha Viharaya in Ehetuwewa, in the Kurunegala District.

President’s statement on judicial decision erodes public confidence in the Judiciary: BASL

05 May 2026

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The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has expressed grave concern over remarks made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during his recent May Day rally, warning that such statements could undermine public confidence in the judiciary.