Australia's highest court ruled on Wednesday that the detention of asylum seekers from Sri Lanka on the high seas for almost a month was lawful, a win for the government's tough immigration policy.

The High Court ruling means the group of 157 ethnic Tamils, who were picked up by an Australian customs boat last June after setting out from India, are not entitled to seek compensation.

The Judicial Service Association (JSA) yesterday expressed the hope that the Chief Justice would act in such a manner so as to preserve the honour and dignity of the judiciary.

Following is the full text of the JSA statement signed by the association’s secretary Ranga Dissanayake: At the Executive Committee meeting of The Judicial Service Association (JSA) held on 24th January 215, it was unanimously decided to issue the following statement:

Accused of several corrupt transactions, UPFAMP Sajin de Vass Gunawardena yesterday said that he was awaiting an opportunity to respond to allegations.

Asked whether he was evading law enforcement authorities, MP Gunawardena told The Island that he had written to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on January 21 after the JVP and various other interested parties had lodged complaints against him. "The Commission responded to my letter and now I am awaiting an appointment to explain

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday complained to the government that while it was being asked to probe the numerous petitions lodged, it did not have the resources to undertake work of such magnitude.

Deputy Minister of Policy Planning and Economic Affairs Harsha De Silva requested the CIABOC yesterday afternoon to probe the circumstances under which prime property at Colpety which earlier belonged to Ceylinco Shriram had been given to Sino-Lanka Company Limited (SLCL) t

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam Wednesday said discussions on voluntary repatriation of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees should be deferred as it is premature to deliberate the matter now.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the text of which was released to the media here, Panneerselvam said: "The process of voluntary repatriation could be considered only after concrete and credible measures are taken by the Sri Lankan government and the Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu are given adequate verifiable assuran

The government has called for an investigation into an alleged attempt by former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to create instability in the country over the next three months.

Cabinet Spokesperson and Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said that documents related to the alleged attempt were handed over to the National Executive Council.