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CEB gives undertaking before SC on power cuts

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Power cuts will not be imposed until the contempt of court case filed by the Human Rights Commission (HRCSL) is taken up for support tomorrow (Feb. 03), the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said today giving an undertaking to the Supreme Court.

The case was called before the Supreme Court judge bench comprising Preethi Padman Surasena, Yasantha Kodagoda and Shiran Gunaratne this morning.

The rights group had filed a contempt of court against the Power & Energy Ministry’s secretary, CEB chairman and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) chairman, over their failure to abide by the agreement reached at a recent meeting to provide an uninterrupted supply of power while the Advanced Level examination is taking place from January 23 to February 17.

During today’s court proceedings, the legal counsels representing the CEB requested the judge bench to fix the case for support tomorrow, stating that they require more time to consult their client.

However, Justice Kodagoda raised concerns about deferring the case, noting that it is a matter of urgency.

Accordingly, the defence counsels were allowed to briefly consult their client before the case was called before the judge bench again this afternoon.

Lodging the case, the HRCSL had stated that 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 HRCSL alleged that notwithstanding the settlement arrived by the above parties to provide uninterrupted electricity for the A/L exam candidates during the period of the examination, the CEB willfully and maliciously disregarded the settlement and continued with the power cuts. The rights group slammed the interruption of power cuts during the A/L exam as a “gross violation of a child’s right to education.”

(adaderana.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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Weather Alert: Showers to ease in Southwest, strong winds forecast in North

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Prevailing showery condition in the southwestern part of the island is expected to reduced gradually from today (01st)

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota and Trincomalee districts.

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

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Aluthgamage and Fernando assigned printing work in prison

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Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando, sentenced this week to jail for 20 and 25 years, respectively, have been assigned duties in the printing section at the Welikada prison, sources said.

Both of them are being held together away from the main section of the prison’s ‘chapel’ section, where prisoners serving life sentences and those convicted of murder and rape are held. The prison’s printing section prints its own documentation.

Prison sources said that in placing them in relevant wards to serve their jail term, the authorities had taken into consideration the security of the two convicts, as they might have had political enemies.

Mr Aluthgamage was handed a 20-year term of rigorous imprisonment, while Mr Fernando was given a 25-year term of rigorous imprisonment by a High Court trial-at-bar after being found guilty of causing a Rs 53 million loss to the state.

They were accused of importing carrom boards and checkers boards through Sathosa during the 2015 presidential elections and distributing them to clubs.

Their lawyers said yesterday they were awaiting the certified copy of the judgement to prepare the appeal papers. The appeal will be considered by the Supreme Court.

(sundaytimes.lk)
(This story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

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The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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