Colombo Additional Magistrate Kingsley Hettiarachchi today (17) ordered warrants to arrest and produce Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara and MP Jagath Manuwarna, along with four others, after they failed to appear in court while on bail in a case relating to an unlawful protest.

The suspects, who had allegedly engaged in a demonstration related to the 2022 ‘Aragalaya’ protests in violation of a court order, were absent when the case was called.

Warrants were accordingly issued against Gunasekara, Manuwarna, Roshan Ali Danis Ali, Amal Salinda alias Army Amila, Udayanga Kumara, and Koswattage Mahanama Thera.

The Acting Magistrate also postponed the case until December 4. (Newswire)

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Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara today (29) issued a warrant ordering the arrest and court presentation of Member of Parliament Jagath Manuwarna, who failed to appear in court for two related cases.

These cases pertain to allegations against MP Jagath Manuwarna dating back to the year 2008.

When the cases were called before the court today (29), the accused MP did not appear. 

His attorney informed the magistrate that his client was participating in the National Land Distribution Program and was therefore unable to attend court on this date.

Taking into consideration the submissions, the court issued a warrant for the arrest of MP Jagath Manuwarna. (Newswire)

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MP Jagath Manuwarna has been elected as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus on Arts and Cultural Affairs.

At the inaugural meeting of the Caucus held in Parliament today, Manuwarna’s name was proposed as the Chair of the Caucus by MP Ruwan Mapalagama and seconded by MP Sugath Wasantha de Silva.

Meanwhile, MPs Ruwan Mapalagama, Thushari Jayasingha, Susantha Dodawatta, Sugath Wasantha de Silva, and Nilanthi Kottahachchi were elected as Deputy Co-Chairs of the Caucus.

According to a Parliament statement, it was decided that the Parliamentary Caucus on Arts and Cultural Affairs would meet again on 22 July to discuss future activities. (Newswire)

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A decision has been taken to relocate wild monkeys to an island under a pilot project, as a solution to mitigate crop destruction, NPP MP Jagath Manuwarna said. 

Speaking to reporters, MP Manuwarna said that a large island in the Randenigala Dam has been identified to relocate the monkeys. 

To prevent the monkeys from approaching the mainland, he further said that electric fences will be put up around the island. 

MP Manuwarna revealed that this decision has been taken based on the approval of the committee, consisting of experts from the Irrigation Ministry, Wildlife Department, and other relevant institutions, that was appointed to address crop destruction by wild monkeys.

“The committee has approved this proposal. We will select 15 villages under the pilot project. It will be implemented under the guidance of several key institutions, such as the Navy, Wildlife Department, and Peradeniya University. We have formulated a system for the monkeys to be monitored, involving several institutions, including the Navy and experts,” he said. 

Stating that this is the first time such a project is being implemented in Sri Lanka as well as in the world, MP Manuwarna said there may be shortcomings going forward, which the authorities intend to address as they occur. (Newswire)

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