Category: Legal
Sri Lanka’s Right to Information Act comes into force
Feb 03, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Right to Information (RTI) Act comes into effect today bringing with it a promise of open government, citizens’ active participation in governance, and accountability to the people of the country. The Ministry of Mass Media and Parliamentary Reform said that it has been laying the groundwork of RTI, […]
Sri Lanka’s government seeks public views to regulate news
Nov 23, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet nod has been received to obtain public opinion with regard to establishing an independent board to regulate news content published in media. As per the proposal, an independent board is to regulate news published in print, broadcasting and registered websites with the view of promoting professionalism and […]
Supreme Court upholds right to sing National Anthem in Tamil
Nov 18, 2016 (LBO) – A fundamental rights case challenging the legality of playing the National Anthem in the Tamil language at the Independence Day celebration on February 4, 2016 has been dismissed by the Supreme Court. Lawyer Mahanama De Silva, for petitioners V. S. Sudath Perera, M. P. Asiri Soysa and G. A. Don […]
Illegal arrest, torture and harassment continuing in Sri Lanka: AHRC
Nov 01, 2016 (LBO) – The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) said on Tuesday an individual illegally arrested and tortured in Ja-Ela, and the harassment of a priest in Wattegama, are examples of failure to uphold the rule of law in Sri Lanka. The individual in Ja-Ela was produced before the Negombo Magistrate on a […]
Restoring normalcy in Sri Lanka north vital after shooting: NPC
Oct 25, 2016 (LBO) – Restoring normalcy in the north of Sri Lanka is of utmost importance after two students were shot dead at a police checkpoint, which triggered public protests, a civil society organization said. “The importance of restoring normalcy to the North has become evident in the aftermath of the fatal shooting incident […]
Sri Lanka Customs says information on fraud will be rewarded
Oct 14, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Customs says information regarding customs fraud will be rewarded, without giving details of the extent of the reward. All those who have information can contact the CIU on +94112471471, the department said on its website. Sri Lanka is currently exploring a draft policy to protect ‘whistleblowers’ to strengthen […]
Supreme Court says NBT amendment consistent with constitution
Sept 22, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Speaker of Parliament informing the Supreme Court determination today said the Nation Building Tax amendment bill is not inconsistent with the constitution. A public interest litigant activist filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Nation Building Tax bill charging that it imposes retrospective tax liability. The […]
Sri Lanka on new journey of governance: Chief Justice
Aug 15, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has bounced back over the last year and now embarks upon a journey of good governance which promotes transparency in judicial governance, island nation’s Chief Justice said. Chief Justice K Sripavan, delivering remarks at the inaugural session of the 29th Lawasia conference, said the way forward for the […]
Sri Lanka to set up University for Police and Criminal Justice
June 06, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government is looking to establish a separate University for Police and Criminal Justice similar to that of the Melbourne Deakin University, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said. “This university is not based on the university structure of Sri Lanka or United Kingdom,” the Prime Minister emphasized. “This will be […]
Sri Lanka seeks public opinion to improve legal trials
June 02, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government is currently seeking public support to reform the civil and criminal procedures in the island in a bid to avoid long delays in pending legal cases. During this month, interested parties are able to express their views particularly on reducing delay in trials and amendments for the […]
Inland Revenue Act to be redrafted with international standards
May 05, 2016 (LBO) – The Cabinet of Ministers have approved a proposal made by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake to instruct the Legal Draftsman to redraft the Inland Revenue Act according to international standards improving clarity and transparency. The Inland Revenue Act No 10 of 2016 provides legal provisions to impose income tax in Sri […]
Sri Lanka to introduce new laws to prevent violence against women and girls
Apr 25, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government plans to activate a stable legal mechanism towards the creation of a safe environment, free from violence for women and girls in Sri Lanka. The government said a special ministerial sub committee will also be named to ensure the efficient working of such a legal framework. Recently, […]