News

HRCSL files contempt of court case over power cuts

Published

2 years ago

January 30, 2023

editor

The Human Rights Commission has filed a contempt of court case before the Supreme Court citing the Secretary of the Ministry of Power and Energy, Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board and the Managing Director and Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation as respondents.

The HRCSL said the respondents failed to abide by the settlement arrived at before the Commission with regard to the continuous supply of power during the period pertaining to the 2022 Advanced Level Examination that got underway from the 23rd of January to the 17th of February 2023 and charged that in particular the CEB Chairman is guilty of the offence of contempt under the provisions of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act No. 21 of 1996.

The Commission alleges that notwithstanding the settlement arrived by the above parties to provide uninterrupted electricity for the A/Level students during the period of the examination, the CEB wilfully and maliciously disregarded the settlement and continued with the power cuts.

The Human Rights Commission statement said the settlement was to prevent power cuts only during the period of the A/Level Exam.

The Commission said it treats the disregard of the CEB to provide an uninterrupted electricity supply during the examination period as a gross violation of a child’s right to education.

The HRC alleges that having admitted before the Commission that there are meaningful ways to provide electricity, and settling on that basis, the CEB disregarded the assurance and proceeded with the power cut.

(newsradio.lk)

News

Islandwide operation against child begging

Published

3 hours ago

June 21, 2025

editor

A special operation has been launched by the Bureau for the Investigation of Abuse of Children and Women and the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA).

The operation was conducted across multiple police divisions including Colombo North, Colombo South, Colombo Central, Nugegoda, Gampaha, Panadura, Kelaniya, Negombo, Mount Lavinia, Kalutara, Tangalle, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Kurunegala, Chilaw, Ratnapura, Galle, and Matara.

According to the police media division, the operation has rescued 21 minors found begging or selling goods in unsafe conditions.

They have been placed under protective care, the statement adds.

News

Notice for landowners over uncultivated land

Published

3 hours ago

June 21, 2025

editor

The Department of Agrarian Development has issued a notice to landowners with uncultivated land, requesting them to submit reasons for non-cultivation within the next 02 weeks.

Commissioner General – Rohana Rajapaksha highlighted that over 120,000 acres of land, which should have been cultivated, have been abandoned.

News

All President’s Fund services go online from today

Published

3 hours ago

June 21, 2025

editor

All services provided by the President’s Fund to the public will be available through an online system, from today (June 21).

The acceptance of applications for medical assistance under the President’s Fund through Divisional Secretariats island wide commenced on February 07.

Following the successful implementation of that initiative, preparations have now been completed to expand the digital system to include all other services offered by the Fund.

Accordingly, the public will be able to apply online via any Divisional Secretariat across the country for a wide range of services provided under the President’s Fund. These include assistance for poverty alleviation, provision of educational scholarships, recognition of students demonstrating academic excellence, support for individuals with special needs, relief assistance for children affected by wild elephant conflict, recognition of individuals for their national service or contributions to the country, Emergency and disaster relief.

As a result, citizens across Sri Lanka, especially those outside Colombo can conveniently access the services of the President’s Fund without having to travel long distances.