The Attorney General today (20) informed the Supreme Court that steps have been taken to file cases before the District Court to recover taxes allegedly evaded by liquor manufacturing companies.

The announcement came during the hearing of a fundamental rights petition filed seeking an order to recover unpaid taxes from the companies.

Appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, the Additional Solicitor General notified the Supreme Court that legal proceedings are being initiated to ensure recovery of the outstanding sums. (Newswire)

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The Attorney General’s Department Legal Officers’ Association has raised concerns over what it described as unfounded and baseless personal attacks targeting Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe and officers of the department in the performance of their official duties.

In a resolution unanimously adopted at a Special General Meeting on January 29, 2026, the Association observed the attacks appeared to be part of a coordinated effort to pressure the AG and his staff, potentially undermining the department’s independence.

The resolution warned that the systematic abuse of social media was being used to create a false sense of public dissatisfaction, and that unchecked intimidation could cause lasting harm to the rule of law, justice system, and public trust in democratic governance.

The Association expressed gratitude to the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, legal professionals, and members of the public who voiced support for AG Ranasinghe, noting his integrity and the department’s commitment to its workload despite resource shortages.

Calling on all parties to counter misinformation, the Association said repeated attacks were demoralizing to legal officers and could impair their ability to serve the State effectively.

It reaffirmed its full confidence in the Attorney General, underscoring that the AG is accountable to the law and that appropriate legal channels exist for addressing grievances. The department, it said, would continue to act strictly in accordance with the law and admissible evidence, resisting pressure from public rhetoric or media-driven narratives.

The Association urged the public to avoid spreading unverified allegations on social media, cautioning that such actions undermine both the Office of the Attorney General and the broader administration of justice. (Newswire)

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A Sri Lankan delegation, led by the Attorney General, has held fruitful talks with stakeholders of the X-Press Pearl ship that caught fire off the coast of Colombo in May 2021.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the Sri Lankan delegation held discussions with the X-Press Pearl ship-owner interests’ lawyers and insurers in Singapore on July 18-19.

The PMD further stated that the discussion focused on addressing key aspects of the incident’s aftermath. 

Progress has also been made on assessing claims and wreck recovery, while discussions are to continue on the matter, it added. 

Sri Lanka is in the midst of seeking compensation for the massive environmental impact on the coastal line caused as a result of the ship disaster.

The vessel which was transporting hazardous chemicals caught fire off the coast of Colombo in May 2021, resulting in a number of its cargo toppling into the sea.

Various cargo, including chemicals, and plastic pellets washed ashore along the Western Province coastal belt causing a massive environmental impact on the coastal line.

In May 2023, the Attorney General (AG) filed a claim in the High Court of Singapore over the X-Press Pearl incident involving six defendants.

It was reported at the time that the AG’s Department is considering transferring the case to the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) based on its rules and litigation is being managed by a Singaporean law firm approved by the Cabinet to represent the Sri Lankan Government. (NewsWire)

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A file from the office of former Attorney General Dappula de Livera has been stolen by an unidentified individual, the Colombo Additional Magistrate T.N.L Ilangasinghe was informed yesterday. 

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) told the Magistrate that an investigation has been launched into the theft based on a complaint. 

Briefing the court on the progress of the investigation, the CID stated that it has taken over the investigation from the Narahenpita Police.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the file had been stolen from the office located at Longdon Place, Colombo 07 on 11th November 2022 by an individual who had arrived in a white van.

CCTV footage from the office shows the man rummaging through the documents in the office for nearly 10 minutes and leaving after taking possession of one file. 

The CID is conducting further investigations into the incident. (NewsWire)

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