News

Police Ordinance cannot be used in violation of fundamental rights: HRCSL

Published

3 years ago

October 28, 2022

editor

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has informed the Public Security Minister to advise the Inspector General of Police that the Police Ordinance cannot be used in a way that affects the articles of the Constitution that ensure fundamental rights.

HRCSL Chairperson Rohini Marasinghe has informed this in a letter to the Public Security Minister.

The letter says that the Police Ordinance should not be used in a way that affects articles 14 (1) a, b of the Constitution.

The right of every citizen to freedom of speech and expression including the freedom of peaceful assembly has been ensured in these articles of the Constitution.

In the letter, the HRCSL Chairperson has emphasised that the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission Act has assigned the power to the HRCSL to recommend necessary guidelines for the implementation of the country’s legal and administrative activities in accordance with international human rights laws and standards.

News

Helicopter crash during SLAF training session

Published

31 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

editor

A Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has reportedly crashed today (May 09).

It crashed during a training session at the Hingurakgoda Air Force Base.

Further reports indicate that the helicopter crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir.

News

American Cardinal elected as new Pope: Pope Leo XIV

Published

37 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

editor

Following a 02-day papal conclave, American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the new Pope yesterday (May 08) evening, Vatican time.

At 69, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

He becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV now assumes spiritual leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

The election follows the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City, a day after participating in Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.

News

Heavy rains expected in the afternoon

Published

2 hours ago

May 9, 2025

editor

The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (May 09).

Showers may occur in Western province and in Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts in the morning too.

Fairly heavy rains above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and North-central provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts during the morning.