Former Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Jagath Samantha has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison after being found guilty over an assault on the Arachchikattuwa Divisional Secretary.

The order was issued by the Chilaw High Court today (15).

Charges had been filed against the late former State Minister Sanath Nishantha and his brother Jagath Samantha over the assault incident.

The court also ordered Jagath Samantha to pay Rs. 1 million in compensation to the Divisional Secretary who was assaulted. If he fails to pay the compensation, he will face an additional 24-month prison term.

Sanath Nishantha died in a road accident on the Katunayake Expressway on January 25, 2024. As a result, only his brother appeared before the court today.

The verdict was delivered after the court considered the evidence and submissions presented in the case. (Newswire)

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Former Minister Johnston Fernando has called for a thorough investigation into the death of the late former State Minister Sanath Nishantha.

Addressing the Parliament today, SLPP MP Johnston Fernando pointed out that to date it was unclear if the death was a result of an accident or an act of murder.

He further said that this suspicion has also been raised by the late former State Minister’s wife, who has filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) calling for a probe. 

Thereby, MP Johnston Fernando called on the Parliament to ensure that the CID conducts an immediate probe into the complaint filed by the late former State Minister Sanath Nishantha’s wife.

He added that if it is proven to be a murder, steps must be taken to find those behind the death, bring them to justice, and provide the necessary punishment. 

Former State Minister and SLPP MP Sanath Nishantha was killed in an accident on the Katunayake Expressway on January 25, 2024. (NewsWire)

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L.K Jagath Priyankara from the National Freedom Front (NFF) has been sworn in as a Member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. 

Priyankara took oaths before the Speaker today to fill the vacancy in Parliament created by the demise of former State Minister Sanath Nishantha. 

He was sworn in as the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP for the Puttalam District. 

Former State Minister Sanath Nishantha and his security officer were killed in a motor accident that took place on the Colombo – Katunayake expressway on January 25, 2024.

A Gazette notification was thereafter, issued announcing the appointment of Jagath Priyankara to the Parliament to fill the vacancy created by the death of the late Sanath Nishantha. 

Accordingly, the National Election Commission declared Jagath Priyankara as a Member of the ninth Parliament of Sri Lanka for the electoral district of Puttalam.

Priyankara is a member of the National Freedom Front (Jathika Nidahas Peramuna) led by MP Wimal Weerawansa. (NewsWire)

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The driver of the late former State Minister Sanath Nishantha, who was killed in a motor accident in January, has been granted bail.

The Welisara Magistrate’s Court released the driver on a surety of Rs. 500,000 today. 

Former State Minister Sanath Nishantha and his security officer were killed in an accident on the Colombo – Katunayake Expressway on January 25, 2024. 

The driver of the vehicle, who survived the accident, was later arrested and remanded. (NewsWire)

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The consideration of petitions filed against the late State Minister Sanath Nishantha over contempt of court charges has been moved to February.

The decision was announced by the Court of Appeal’s two-member judge bench consisting of Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola today (Jan 31).

Taking into consideration the demise of the late Sanath Nishantha, the justices ordered that future actions to be taken concerning the petitions will be decided on Friday, February 02, 2024. 

The relevant petitions against the late former State Minister were filed by Attorney-at-Law Priyalal Sirisena and Attorney-at-Law Vijitha Kumara. 

The late Sanath Nishantha was accused of contempt of court by several parties in August 2022 for stating that the officers from the Attorney General’s Department and some judges were responsible for letting loose criminals who engaged in the violence in Sri Lanka in May that year. (NewsWire)

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L.K Jagath Priyankara from the National Freedom Front (NFF) has been appointed to fill the vacancy in Parliament created by the demise of former State Minister Sanath Nishantha. 

Former State Minister Sanath Nishantha and his security officer were killed in a tragic accident that took place on the Colombo – Katunayake expressway on January 25, 2024.

A Gazette notification has been issued announcing the appointment of Jagath Priyankara to the Parliament of Sri Lanka, to fill the vacancy created by the death of the late Sanath Nishantha. 

Accordingly, the National Election Commission has declared Jagath Priyankara as a Member of the ninth Parliament of Sri Lanka for the electoral district of Puttalam.

Priyankara is a member of the National Freedom Front (Jathika Nidahas Peramuna) led by MP Wimal Weerawansa. (NewsWire)

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The driver of the container involved in the accident in which former State Minister Sanath Nishantha was killed, has been released on bail.

According to Lankadeepa, Welisara Magistrate Thusitha Dhammika Uduwawidana granted bail to the container driver when the case was taken up for hearing yesterday (Jan 26).

The Magistrate rejected a request by the Kandana Police to remand the container driver and released him on a surety of Rs. 500,000.

However, the Magistrate remanded the driver of the late State Minister Sanath Nishantha, until February 05, 2024. 

Former State Minister Sanath Nishantha was killed after the vehicle he was travelling in crashed onto the rear end of a container on the Kerawalapitiya Expressway on Thursday (Jan 25). (NewsWire)

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The driver of the late State Minister Sanath Nishantha has revealed details of the recent fatal accident in which the politician was killed.

According to Ada Derana, the driver had revealed that the group was attempting to reach Colombo as soon as possible, during which time Sanath Nishantha had been asleep in the vehicle.

“On the highway, I overtook a car from the left side. While I was attempting to move the Jeep to the right lane, I collided with a container that was travelling in front. I lost control of the Jeep which stopped after crashing onto the barrier,” he said. 

Prabhath Eranga, who is receiving treatment at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital in Ragam divulged details of the accident during interrogations by the Police. 

Investigations have also revealed that the vehicle had been travelling at a speed of 160 kmph at the time of the accident.

According to reports, hospital sources revealed that former State Minister Sanath Nishantha had sustained serious injuries to his head and right leg in the accident. 

Sanath Nishantha lies in state at the Jayaratne Funeral Parlour in Borella for the public to pay their last respects.

The remains of the late State Minister are planned to be taken to his residence in Puttalam later today. (NewsWire)

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A probe has been conducted to identify those posting offensive comments on social media pertaining to the recent death of the former Minister of State for Water Supply Sanath Nishantha.

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that the probe had revealed that people connected to one particular political party were behind the offensive comments.

The minister told reporters that the individuals were found posting such offensive comments on a regular basis and under fake accounts.

Minister Amaraweera said that this incident, along with other instances such as violations against children and women, shows that social media requires to be regulated to some extent. (NewsWire)

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Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has paid his last respects to former State Minister Sanath Nishantha who was killed in a motor accident recently.

The former President was accompanied by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Opposition MP Rauff Hakeem, and several other politicians also paid their final respects to the former State Minister. 

The body of Sanath Nishantha has been placed in Colombo for people to pay their final respects and will be transported to his hometown Arachchikattuwa in Puttalam today.

Former State Minister Sanath Nishantha will be laid to rest in his home town on Sunday (Jan 28). (NewsWire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Sanath Nishantha has been suspended from Parliament sittings for a period of two weeks. 

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena informed the Parliament today that the suspension will be effective from today (Nov 22).

He further said the decision had been taken due to the unruly behaviour of MP Sanath Nishantha in Parliament yesterday.

Several SLPP MPs, including MP Sanath Nishantha, had obstructed the Opposition Leader’s speech on the Supreme Court’s recent verdict concerning the economic crisis.

The SLPP MPs had stormed towards Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa, while MP Sanath Nishantha had moved away his mic and had continuously commented disrupting MP Premadasa’s speech. (NewsWire)

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State Minister Sanath Nishantha has hinted that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will remain part of the government only based on the importance given to its party leaders.

Speaking to the media, Sanath Nishantha stated that the SLPP does not have the need to remain part of the government if its MPs who worked hard for the election of the incumbent government are not given the necessary recognition.

Senior SLPP members are reported to have requested Cabinet portfolios which President Ranil Wickremesinghe has not granted yet.

SLPP members also recently boycotted a government MPs meeting that was convened by the President. 

Speaking to the media, State Minister Sanath Nishantha also slammed former United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarian Palitha Range Bandara over his conduct, stating his actions are due to their party leader being the Head of State.

Stating that the SLPP has no intention to sideline the President, MP Sanath Nishantha warned that they will, however, not extend their support to President Ranil Wickremesinghe if he attempts to abandon the SLPP. (NewsWire)

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Two charge sheets have been filed against State Minister Sanath Nishantha over contempt of Court charges. 

The Court of Appeal was informed in this regard by the State Counsel appearing on behalf of the Attorney General today (23).

The facts were presented to the court when three petitions filed against the SLPP MP by Attorneys-at-Law Priyalal Sirisena and Vijitha Herath, and the Judicial Service Association of Sri Lanka (JSASL) were taken up for hearing. (NewsWire)

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