The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ordered notices to be issued to several former and current state officials in connection with a Fundamental Rights petition challenging government programs and circulars that permit individuals to change their gender identity through medical procedures. 

Notices have been issued to former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Attorney General on behalf of incumbent President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and several other parties in connection with a petition. 

The petition, filed by retired Air Force veteran Shanta Jayatilaka, challenges government programs and circulars that allow individuals to change their gender identity through medical procedures, claiming they are unlawful. 

The case was heard before a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justices Shiran Gunaratne, and Achala Wengappuli, and will be taken up again on July 20, with respondents ordered to file objections within a week. (Newswire)

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena claimed that Sri Lanka is powerless to confront the mastermind behind the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, claiming the individual is known well known to governments, military and intelligence agencies, but remains beyond reach

Addressing an event at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, the former President said that the although the authorities are scrambling to find the mastermind of the deadly attacks, the truth cannot be easily disclosed to the public.

“I’ve told the CID everything about how it all went down. But none of it can be disclosed to the public. Everyone’s scrambling to find the so-called mastermind, but the truth is—they already know who it is. Every government, military, and intelligence agency knows. Even though we can tell where the mastermind is, we can’t take them on,” Sirisena said.

“Serious crimes have happened—some deliberately orchestrated. These schemes dragged my name through the mud, ruined my government, and destroyed my party,” he said. The former President was commenting on geopolitics, and the recent defence agreements singed between India and Sri Lanka at the launch of a new think-tank.

“The new defence deal between India and Sri Lanka is going to be a major issue in the future. During J.R. Jayewardene’s time, India dropped dhal here, and with the LTTE activity, they pressured Jayewardene and others into signing the Indo-Lanka pact. That’s how the provincial council act was passed. But for the past 11 years, those councils have been inactive. Over 2,500 officers are sitting idle, and millions of rupees are being wasted every year. These problems didn’t come from within,” Sirisena said, claiming that Sri Lanka was strong-armed into deals with India.

The former president also said that world peace and sustainable development are threatened due to the questionable mentality of world leaders.

“Some powerful world leaders are mentally ill—they just can’t live without war. They’ve got a war mindset. Netanyahu, for example—he’s always looking to attack someone. First it was Palestine, then Iran. And when Iran hit back at Israel, the U.S started attacks. Imagine if all that money spent on war was used to help the world’s poor instead. When I visited the U.S. and Europe 25 or 30 years ago, you didn’t see beggars on the streets. But now, they’re everywhere. That’s what this war mentality has led to—it’s a real problem,” Sirisena opined. (Newswire)

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Three key Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) officials have been removed from their positions within the party. 

It is reported that the decision has been taken by the Chairman of the party and former President Maithripala Sirisena.

Accordingly, MP Duminda Dissanayake (National Organiser), State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna (Treasurer) and Minister Mahinda Amaraweera (Senior Vice Chairman) have been removed from the positions they held within the party.

The decision in this regard was announced during the SLFP meeting held today (Mar 30). (NewsWire)

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