News

Millaniya child abuse case: school principal & 2 cops remanded

Published

1 year ago

November 8, 2022

editor

The School Principal and two police officers, arrested in connection with the Millaniya child abuse incident, have been remanded till November 16, after being produced to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Meanwhile the school teacher and a police constable driver who were also accused over the incident have been granted bail by the court, according to Ada Derana reporter.

Earlier, the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) had launched an investigation into the incident which was reported recently, where a group of grade 5 students from a school in Millaniya were allegedly inhumanely beaten for supposedly stealing money from a school teacher.

Several Grade 5 students from the Millaniya Primary School in Horana were accused of stealing money from the bag of a school teacher and were punished by the school teacher and principal, and the teachers themselves handed over the students to the local police.

Parents alleged that students were taken away by police officers who intimidated them by threatening to subject them to electric shock treatment and assaulted them while inside the Police Jeep, and then dropped the students back at the school.

The Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority, Mr. Chanaka Udayakumara Amarasinghe had claimed that local Judicial Medical Officer has confirmed that the boys had been tortured.

“Based on the facts, the National Child Protection Authority has considered this a serious offence. Any wrong committed by a child below the age of 12, according to Sri Lankan law, cannot be considered a crime,” he said.

The principal and the teachers had earlier been summoned to the National Child Protection Authority to record their statements.

(adaderana.lk)

News

Planters’ Association clarifies on daily wage increase

Published

1 hour ago

May 3, 2024

nipuni

The Planters’ Association of Ceylon, in a statement has issued a clarification with regard to the reported wage increase in the tea and rubber sector.

“Given the facts stated in the Gazette notification, the implication in media reports that the increased payments will be applicable from 1st May 2024, is inaccurate and misleading. Neither the effective date – on which the new proposed minimum payment will be applicable – nor the quantum of such payment has, as yet, been determined,” the statement notes.

Noting that the relevant gazette also notes that objections to the proposed determination will be received until May 15th, the Association also states they will be filing objections to these proposals within the time frame stipulated by the Labour Commissioner.

News

China – SL to expedite implementation of MoUs

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2024

nipuni

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong had called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees in Colombo yesterday (May 02) to discuss ways and means of early implementation of the agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) reached between the two countries during the Prime Minister’s official visit to China in March 2024.

The Prime Minister said the implementation of the MOUs would begin a new chapter in the long-term friendship and economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and China.

Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake had signed the agreements on behalf of Sri Lanka, and the secretaries of nine Ministries signed on behalf of China in the presence of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang.
During the talks with Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, the Prime Minister stated that in addition to implementation of the MoUs, Sri Lanka would also welcome direct private investments from China as well as investments in agriculture, renewable energy, IT, education and water supply sectors to provide long term solutions to economic issues.

Ambassador Qi Shenhong said he was pleased to see the resilience of Sri Lanka to overcome difficulties and assured China’s continuous support to Sri Lanka’s current efforts at debt restructuring and meeting economic challenges.

Prime Minister’s Secretary Mr. Anura Dissanayake and Chinese Economic Counsellor were also present at this meeting.

(Prime Minister’s Media)

News

Special notice for O/L candidates as school term ends

Published

3 hours ago

May 3, 2024

editor

The second phase of the first term of Government schools ends today (May 03) and will reopen on May 20.

The GCE Ordinary Level Examination will be held May 06 – 15.

Meanwhile, selected branches of the Department for Registration of Persons will be operational tomorrow (May 04) for students sitting for the upcoming GCE Ordinary Level Examination 2023 (2024).

The Department announced that its main office in Battaramulla and its provincial offices in Galle, Kurunegala, Vavuniya, and Batticaloa will be open on Saturday.

These selected offices will be operational from 08.30 am to 01.00 pm tomorrow for only the O/L students to obtain their National Identity Cards (NIC).

Applicants who have not yet submitted their NIC applications have been requested to carry their completed application forms certified by the Principal or Grama Niladhari.