News

Minister slams media over A’pura doctor case

Published

1 month ago

March 15, 2025

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Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savitri Paulraj has criticized certain media outlets for their unethical coverage of the sexual assault case involving a female doctor at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday (March 14), she stated that certain channels had failed to maintain even the minimum standards of journalism ethics by repeatedly broadcasting a dubbed audio of the victim’s testimony – an act she described as re-traumatizing and damaging to the survivor’s courage and confidence.

Minister Paulraj further emphasized that everyone in Parliament is opposed to violence and the “ugliness” of crime reporting.

She also raised concern over the release of evidence submitted to law enforcement and judicial authorities, noting that despite clear guidelines, the media had failed to protect the identities of those involved.

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Pope Francis’s funeral on April 26

Published

3 minutes ago

April 22, 2025

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Pope Francis’s funeral will take place on Saturday (April 26) at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST, 08:00 GMT), the Vatican confirms.

The funeral will take place outdoors in front of St Peter’s Basilica.

The dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, will lead the service.

At the end of the funeral, Re will deliver the final commendation – a concluding prayer where the Pope will be formally entrusted to God – and the body moved to St Mary Major for the burial.

The Vatican has also released images of Pope Francis in an open coffin, dressed in a red robe with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand.

He will be taken to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning (April 23), where his casket will remain until burial for the public to pay their respects.

The Pope’s coffin will be there until the burial for the public to pay their respects.

His body is currently laid out in a coffin in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, where he lived during his 12-year papacy.

The pontiff’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from Catholics across the globe. From South Sudan to Argentina, Poland to the Philippines.

(BBC News)

News

This week’s Cabinet decisions

Published

7 minutes ago

April 22, 2025

editor

A number of decisions have been taken at the Cabinet meeting held yesterday (April 21).

The decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers are as follows :

Cabinet decision on 21.04.2025 (English)Download

News

Devotees in Kandy urged to be more environmentally friendly

Published

54 minutes ago

April 22, 2025

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The Clean Sri Lanka programme respectfully urges all devotees visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) for the veneration of sacred relics, to avoid bringing non-biodegradable items, such as polythene and to prioritize cleanliness within and around the temple premises.

Visitors are kindly reminded to dispose of waste responsibly, using only the designated disposal areas.

As a flagship government programme, Clean Sri Lanka seeks to inspire a collective awakening in environmental, social and ethical consciousness, striving to uplift the nation towards a cleaner and more responsible society.

This programme places special emphasis on creating a waste-free environment and encouraging proper waste management practices.

In alignment with the commencement of the Siri Dalada Dekma (Sacred Relic exposition), a series of activities under the Clean Sri Lanka programme have been launched around the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic to support this cause.

(President’s Media Division)