News

Minister slams media over A’pura doctor case

Published

3 months ago

March 15, 2025

editor

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.

News

Equipment given to non cricket playing schools in WP

Published

3 hours ago

June 6, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Youth and Sports today distributed cricket equipment to 30 selected schools in the Western Province that currently do not offer cricket.

The programme is done with the goal of ensuring that every child interested in cricket has the opportunity to pursue the sport, despite their economic status. It is also expected to be expanded to all districts in the future.

The distribution was held under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne at the Ministry premises.

Officials from the Ministry, principals, teachers, and students from the selected schools participated in the event.

News

New Chief Secretary appointed to WP

Published

3 hours ago

June 6, 2025

editor

President Anura Kumara Disanayake has appointed Mr K.G.P. Pushpakumara as the Chief Secretary of the Western Province.

The official letter of appointment was handed over to Mr Pushpakumara today (June 06) at the Presidential Secretariat by Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

News

Bill to scrap MPs’ pensions, to be tabled in Parliament in July

Published

7 hours ago

June 6, 2025

editor

The government has decided to present a bill to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament at the upcoming Cabinet meeting.

Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, stated that the bill has been finalized by the Legal Draftsman and is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament next month.

In addition, the Minister announced that the issuance of vehicle licenses to MPs has also been suspended, as part of broader efforts to reduce public expenditure and restore trust in political accountability.

(dailynews.lk)

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