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3 parliamentary employees guilty of sexual harassment, dismissed

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Three employees of Parliament who were found guilty of sexually assaulting female staff of Parliament have been dismissed.

Action on the matter was taken following an investigative process which confirmed the guilt of these employees. Subsequently, based on the recommendation of the Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, Speaker of Parliament, approved their dismissal on January 9th, 2025.

Following reports published in newspapers on July 30th and August 2nd, 2023, regarding incidents of sexual harassment against Parliamentary staff during the years 2021 and 2022, an internal tri-member investigative committee was appointed on August 4th, 2023. This committee was established under the directives of the former Speaker and was headed by the then Director of Administration, as appointed by the Secretary-General of Parliament.

During the investigations conducted by this committee, two parliamentary employees were suspended from service. The committee’s report was submitted to the Secretary-General of Parliament on August 23, 2023. Subsequently, for further guidance, the report was referred to the Attorney General.

Based on the Attorney General’s recommendations, the investigation was handed over to the Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women under the directive of the Inspector General of Police. Meanwhile, police investigations led to the arrest of another parliamentary employee. This employee was also suspended from service on January 30, 2024.

Accordingly, following the filing of charges, the accused officials requested a formal investigation. In response, a legal disciplinary inquiry was conducted in accordance with procedural regulations. For this purpose, retired High Court Judge Mrs. Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena, was appointed to lead the inquiry.The final report of this disciplinary inquiry was submitted to the Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, on December 23rd, 2024. Based on the said report, a recommendation was made to the Speaker to dismiss the three employees with effect from the dates of suspension. Acting on this recommendation, the Speaker approved the dismissal, and the employees have now been officially removed from service.

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Islandwide operation against child begging

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Child beggars

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.

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Notice for landowners over uncultivated land

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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.

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All President’s Fund services go online from today

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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.

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