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BASL concerned over killings & custodial deaths

Published

2 months ago

February 24, 2025

editor

The BAR Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has raised concerns over the recent death of a suspect within a courtroom as well as the two suspects of the recent ‘Kotahena shooting’ being shot by the police during an alleged confrontation.

Expressing grave concern over the spate of incidents, BASL said in a statement that this poses a grave threat to the rule of law of the country.

“It is imperative that the law enforcement agencies, namely the Police and Prison Authorities, exercise great caution and act with utmost responsibility to prevent such incidents, as such would tend to erode public trust in the legal system,” it said.

Stating that extrajudicial killings can never be a solution in confronting an increase in criminal activity, BASL said crime can best be curbed when there is adherence to the rule of law by the state.

BASL has called on the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) to launch an immediate impartial inquiry to investigate how the suspects were killed at the hands of the Police and to take all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such serious incidents of encounter killings and custodial deaths.

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SLAF helicopter crashes into Maduru Oya during training session

Published

49 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

editor

A Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has reportedly crashed today (May 09) into the Maduru Oya Reservoir.

The incident occurred during a training exercise held as part of the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces passing-out ceremony in Maduru Oya.

The aircraft was carrying ten Special Forces soldiers and two pilots at the time of the incident.

All personnel reportedly escaped without fatal injuries. Several have been hospitalised for treatment.

News

American Cardinal elected as new Pope: Pope Leo XIV

Published

55 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

editor

Following a 02-day papal conclave, American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the new Pope yesterday (May 08) evening, Vatican time.

At 69, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

He becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV now assumes spiritual leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

The election follows the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City, a day after participating in Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.

News

Heavy rains expected in the afternoon

Published

3 hours ago

May 9, 2025

editor

The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (May 09).

Showers may occur in Western province and in Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts in the morning too.

Fairly heavy rains above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and North-central provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts during the morning.