News

Unknown DNA sample found on Schaffter’s body!

Published

1 year ago

February 15, 2023

editor

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) yesterday (14) informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya that the Government Analyst’s report has mentioned that an unknown DNA sample was found on the body of deceased Janashakthi PLC Director Dinesh Schaffter.

The CID informed the court that the water bottle used by the deceased, the cable wire found around his neck and the zip tie with which his hands were tied, contained foreign DNA samples.

The Additional Magistrate issued an order directing the Chief Judicial Medical Officer of Colombo National Hospital and the Government Analyst to preserve and not to destroy the body parts and blood samples of the deceased businessman.

The CID told the court that the Government Analyst has issued an order to summon the persons who were at the scene of the crime and other suspects to the Analyst’s Office to conduct DNA tests.

Accordingly, to investigate whose DNA samples were found, the Additional Magistrate ordered the CID to present four persons, including the watchmen of the Borella General Cemetery and a police officer who had first visited the place where Schaffter was found in his car, to the Government Analyst.

The Magistrate also issued an order to the director of the Colombo National Hospital to submit to the court the records containing the patient’s bed number and all the medical treatments given to Dinesh Schaffter when the deceased was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Colombo National Hospital on December 15.

The Magistrate made this order subsequent to a request made by President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne, who appeared on behalf of the deceased party.

Mr. Premaratne also requested the court to issue an order to immediately submit the photographs and video footage taken at the time of the autopsy to the court.

A request was also made to submit the reports of one Dr. Nalin who attended to the body and the photographs of the SOCO officers of the Borella Police.

Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered the CID to implement these orders immediately since the post-mortem examination of Mr. Schaffter was found questionable and that there is foreign DNA sample found on his body.

(Dinamina)

News

Sri Lanka slips down Press Freedom Index

Published

11 hours ago

May 3, 2024

editor

Reporters Without Borders released the 2024 World Press Freedom Index on Friday (03).

According to RFS, Sri Lanka has slipped to the 150th position in the index, from 135th position last year.

Click here to read the RSF Sri Lanka Fact File

News

Companies should be ashamed of not giving workers a raise – Vadivel Suresh

Published

12 hours ago

May 3, 2024

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Mr. Vadivel Suresh, General Secretary of the Lanka Jathika Estate Workers’ Union, emphasized that both the Government and the Plantation Employers’ Association bear the responsibility of providing wage increases to plantation workers. These workers, who play a pivotal role in sustaining the esteemed reputation of ‘Ceylon Tea’, contribute significantly to the national economy of Sri Lanka.

MP Vadivel Suresh, made this statement during his participation in today’s (03) news conference at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC), under the theme ‘Collective path to a Stable Country’.

The Member of Parliament noted that plantation companies, benefiting significantly from the fluctuating dollar value, ought to feel ashamed for not providing their workers with a salary raise. He emphasized that the salary increase outlined in the gazette notice issued by the Labour Commissioner General for plantation workers should be implemented.

MP Vadivel Suresh further commented:

“We express gratitude to the President and the government for raising the salary of plantation workers to LKR. 1700. However, the Plantation Employers’ Association is contesting this decision.

The estate companies that profited greatly from the dollar’s value should be ashamed of themselves for not giving their workers a raise. Expressing opposition to the decision to increase wages for their workers, who contribute significantly to strengthening the national economy by upholding the reputation of Ceylon Tea, is regrettable. The decision to raise estate workers’ wages was not made hastily; rather, it followed extensive negotiations over the course of a year involving the Department of Labour, trade unions, and relevant stakeholders.

Employers’ unions persistently refrained from engaging in wage-fixing negotiations. Similarly, they remained silent when a salary increase of LKR 1000 was requested. However, the Labour Commissioner General, utilizing his authority, lawfully issued a gazette notice for a salary hike of LKR 1700. It is unjust for estate companies to procrastinate without providing relief to the workforce amidst fluctuations in the dollar’s value.

Both the government and the plantation Employers’ Association bear responsibility in this matter. Consequently, companies cannot contravene government decisions. Estate companies claim they are in dialogue with the high-level committee for the ultimate verdict. However, all 22 estate companies are owned by five individuals. These owners are involved not only in tea plantations but also in sectors such as tourism, small-scale manufacturing, agriculture, and gems. Additionally, plantation workers and trade unions must unite in support of this wage increase.

(President’s Media Division)

Gazette issued to up estate workers’ daily wage

Unable to increase daily wage – Plantation owners

News

CID records another statement from Maithri

Published

12 hours ago

May 3, 2024

editor

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department today (May 03) to record another statement regarding the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The CID had previously obtained a five-hour-long statement from the former President on March 25 over a statement he had made a few days earlier.