News

Batalanda report tabled in Parliament (Update)

Published

2 weeks ago

March 14, 2025

editor

The Government tabled the Batalanda Commission report in Parliament today (March 14).

The report was tabled by the Leader of the Home Minister Bimal Ratnayake.

Speaking in Parliament, MP Ratnayake said that many crimes were were committed by the UNP government which took power in 1977 and the maintenance of the Batalanda torture house was one of them.

Noting that a two-day debate will be held shortly, MP Ratnayake added that the report will be forwarded to the Attorney General for action.

The Commission to Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Unlawful Places of Detention and Torture Chambers in the Batalanda Housing Scheme was appointed by then President Chandrika Kumaratunga in 1995,

It was presented in 1998.It was published in 2000 as a sessional paper.

(Previous news 2025 March 14 – 11.06.a.m.)

‘Batalanda’ Commission report to be presented to Parliament today

Steps have been taken to present the ‘Batalanda’ Commission report to the Parliament today (March 14), the Department of Government Information announced.

Speaking during this week’s cabinet briefing on March 11, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Cabinet of Ministers had decided to present the ‘Batalanda’ Commission report to Parliament this week and that further action will be taken afterwards.

News

SLTB drivers return to original roles

Published

6 hours ago

March 25, 2025

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The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has decided to reassign drivers and conductors who were previously engaged in various other duties.

This decision comes into effect today as announced by Deputy Minister of Transport, Prasanna Kumara Gunasena.

Deputy Minister Gunasena revealed that political interference had led to the assignment of drivers and conductors to various non-related duties.

An investigation uncovered that 333 drivers were affected by these political appointments.

To ensure the fitness and readiness of these drivers for their original roles, they will undergo medical examinations at the National Transport Medical Institute.

Based on the results of these examinations, the drivers will be reassigned to their driving duties.

(News1st)

News

Prof. Gananath Obeyesekere bids adieu

Published

6 hours ago

March 25, 2025

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Professor Gananath Obeyesekere, a distinguished academic and former Head of Anthropology at Princeton University, has passed away at the age of 95.

He earned his BA in English from the University of Peradeniya in 1955, followed by an MA in 1958 and a PhD in 1964 from the University of Washington.

Prior to his tenure at Princeton University from 1980 to 2000, Prof. Obeyesekere held prestigious academic positions in Sri Lanka, the University of Washington, and the University of California, San Diego.

Among his popular books are Land Tenure in Village Ceylon, Medusa’s Hair, The Cult of the Goddess Pattini, Buddhism Transformed (coauthor), The Work of Culture, The Apotheosis of Captain Cook: European Mythmaking in the Pacific, and Making Karma.

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NPP MPs submit letter to remove Deshabandu

Published

6 hours ago

March 25, 2025

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National People’s Power (NPP) MPs have signed a letter to remove suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon from office.

A total of 115 MPs endorsed the letter, which was submitted to the Speaker this afternoon (March 25).

Tennakoon is currently in remand custody in connection with a 2023 shooting incident that took place outside the W15 hotel in Weligama, which resulted in the death of an officer from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).

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