News

Fifa asked to ban Iran from 2022 World Cup

Published

2 years ago

October 21, 2022

editor

Football’s world governing Fifa has been called on to ban Iran from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

A group of Iranian football and sports personalities have sent a formal request to the body asking for it to suspend the Iranian Football Association.

They claim government intervention – by stopping women entering stadia in Iran – contravenes Fifa rules.

“Neutrality from Fifa is not an option,” the group said.

It comes amid a violent crackdown by the country’s security forces against widespread anti-government protests.

The request also follows a similar call from human rights group Open Stadiums last month.

“Iran’s brutality and belligerence towards its own people has reached a tipping point, demanding an unequivocal and firm disassociation from the footballing and sports world,” the group said.

“Women have been consistently denied access to stadia across the country and systematically excluded from the football ecosystem in Iran, which sharply contrasts with Fifa’s values and statutes.

“If women are not allowed into stadia across the country, and the Iranian Football Federation is simply following and enforcing governmental guidelines, they cannot be seen as an independent organisation and free from any form or kind of influence. This is a violation of (Article 19) of Fifa’s statutes.”

While no official ban on women entering sports grounds where men are playing is in place in Iran, they are frequently denied entry.

Earlier this year, Fifa wrote to authorities requesting they permit more women into stadiums, and some women were allowed to attend selected matches in Iran’s Persian Gulf Pro League.

The group – supported by a Spanish law firm – say other nations have been suspended in the past for similar violations.

“The Fifa Council can and must immediately suspend Iran,” they add.

“Fifa shouldn’t allow participation by a country that is actively persecuting its women, athletes and children only for their exercising their most basic human rights.”

-BBC

News

600 Teaching Vacancies In Sabaragamuwa Province

Published

17 hours ago

May 12, 2024

nipuni

The Ministry of Education said there are 4600 teaching vacancies in 1080 schools in the Sabaragamuwa province.

Education Secretary for the Sabaragamuwa Province Chamara Bamunuarachchi said that relevant measures are being taken to fill these vacancies.

He said under the initial phase, vacancies in 425 schools will be filled.

877 teachers for Ordinary Level subjects and 159 teachers for Advanced Level subjects will be appointed accordingly.

(newsfirst.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by newsfirst.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Sri Lankan military personnel deaths in Russia-Ukraine conflict reach 14

Published

17 hours ago

May 12, 2024

nipuni

The number of Sri Lankan retired military personnel who have lost their lives in the Russia-Ukraine war has climbed to 14, according to Defense sources.

The Defense authorities have disclosed that 134 complaints have been lodged concerning the suspected human trafficking of the country’s retired military personnel into the conflict zone.

These complaints, spanning from the 9th of May to 10 pm last night, underscore the urgency of addressing the illegal trafficking activities surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Criminal Investigation Department is conducting further investigations into this smuggling ring.

The Ministry of Defense introduced a hotline to report any information regarding this illegal human trafficking racket. The hotline is 0112 441 146

News

Superior courts vacancies now stand at 7

Published

19 hours ago

May 12, 2024

nipuni

The number of vacancies in the superior courts has risen to seven, hampering their functions.

There are two vacancies in the Supreme Court and five in the Court of Appeal. All the vacancies have been created by retirement of judges.

Filling the vacancies has become problematic owing to the deadlock between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Constitutional Council (CC) over the proposed appointment of the President of the Court of Appeal Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne to the Supreme Court. The CC has so far rejected the recommendation made by President Wickremesinghe to appoint Justice Karunaratne to the Supreme Court.

The shortage of judges is felt most in the Court of Appeal. Owing to its five vacancies, two of the court’s benches do not function, raising concerns over a backlog of cases.

High Court Judges and Deputy Solicitors General at the Attorney General’s Department are qualified to be appointed to the superior courts.

The two positions in the Supreme Court fell vacant with the retirement of Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare in January and Priyantha Jayawardena in February. In the Court of Appeal, Justices Prasanna Silva, Lakshman Keerthisinghe, Neil Iddawala, Khema Swarnadhipathi and D.M. Samarakoon have retired. Justice Iddawala had retired to take up the post of Chairman of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. The others had retired after reaching retirement age.

Another vacancy is due to be created in the Court of Appeal in October this year with the retirement of Justice Vikum Kaluarachchi.

(sundaytimes.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)