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CTU complaints over A/L evaluation center being closed over dress code

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The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) has lodged a complaint with the Education Ministry Secretariat and the Examinations Commissioner General regarding the exam centre at Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya, being closed on Jan. 15, allegedly due to teachers not arriving at the school dressed in sarees.

A petition in this regard, signed by 26 individuals, was sent to the Examinations Commissioner General on the same day. Stalin stated that legal action should be taken against the school principal for initially preventing teachers from entering the examination centres and for closing the centre, which caused delays in releasing the examination marks.

According to the petition, school security personnel had prevented teachers from entering the examination centre for not wearing sarees, as instructed by the school principal.

The teachers had argued that since the evaluation centre operates under the authority of the Commissioner General of Examinations, the principal does not have jurisdiction over their dress code.

The principal, however, maintained that a certain level of discipline must be upheld within the school premises, and that all visitors should adhere to the school’s guidelines and the police were later called in after the situation escalated. However, an agreement was not reached.

Subsequently, the Commissioner General of Examinations had instructed to temporarily close the evaluation centre and according to the Commissioner General of Examinations Amith Jayasundara, a final decision in this regard is to be reached today (Jan. 17).

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Priyantha Ekanayake appointed Chairman of National Sports Council

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Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage today appointed the new National Sports Council, in accordance with the provisions of the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973 with the aim of advising the Minister on matters relating to the promotion, development and governance of sports in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Rugby legend and former CEO of Sri Lanka Rugby, Priyantha Ekanayake has been appointed as the new Chairman of the National Sports Council.

The following prominent figures have been appointed as members of the council:

Priyantha Ekanayake (Chairman) – Former Rugby Player and former CEO of Sri Lanka Rugby
Prof. Samantha Nanayakkara – Professor in Sports Studies, University of Colombo, and Sport Psychologist
Rukman Wekadapola – International Boxing Referee
Sidath Wettimuny – Former Sri Lankan Cricketer
Chanaka Jayamaha – Civil/Commercial Lawyer and Non-Executive Independent Director at Colombo Dockyard PLC
Rohan Abeykoon – Former Rugby Player and former Chairman of National Rugby Selection Committee 
Niroshan Wijekoo – Former Badminton Player and former National Champion (Singles)
Murad Ismail – Former member of Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka (TTASL)
Roshan Mahanama – Former Sri Lanka Cricketer and former ICC Match Referee
C. Ratnamudali – Lecturer at Moratuwa University and former Secretary of Sri Lanka Beach Volleyball Association
Sriyani Kulawansa – Former Sri Lankan Hurdler and Olympian, Commonwealth Games Silver Medalist
Malik J Fernando – Co-Chairman of MJF Group, and Dilmah Tea
Shanitha Fernando – Former Rugby Player

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Lasantha’s daughter criticizes Bar Association’s double standards

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In a letter to President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka Anura B. Meddegoda, daughter of late Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge critiques what appears to be a double standard in the way the Bar Association has handled two separate high-profile cases involving the alleged failure of the Attorney General’s office to properly pursue justice.

The writer, who has long advocated for justice for her father Lasantha Wickrematunge, who was murdered in 2009, has accused the Attorney General of sabotaging critical investigations, including that of her father’s killing.

She said that while the Bar Association publicly protested the Attorney General’s decision to not charge a Special Task Force officer involved in the 2022 killing of Mahesh Indika Prabath, the same vigor was not applied to the case of her father’s murder, despite what she describes as overwhelming evidence of state-sponsored involvement.

The letter pointed out a recent interview to a local media outlet in which Meddegoda claimed that the Bar Association was “at the forefront” of standing up for human rights. The writer, however, questioned Meddegoda’s commitment to justice, citing his failure to publicly address the long-delayed prosecution of those responsible for her father’s murder.

The letter also raises serious concerns about the Attorney General’s handling of multiple investigations, including the infamous Mahara prison killings, and the destruction of police records related to her father’s case. The writer accuses Ranasinghe of neglecting vital evidence, including doctored police records, and of making decisions without fully investigating or considering all the facts.

She calls for the impeachment of the Attorney General, accusing him of undermining the rule of law. 

She urges the BASL to take a firm stance for justice, not just for her father, but for all victims whose cases have been mishandled or abandoned under Ranasinghe’s watch.

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Sri Lankan rescued from cybercrime camp in Myanmar

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The Sri Lankan Embassy in Myanmar has confirmed that a Sri Lankan national was among those recently rescued from cybercrime camps in Myanmar.

The individual is currently under the protection of Thai authorities.

Over 250 individuals from 20 different nationalities were freed from these camps and have been transported to Thailand. An official from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Thailand reported that 16 more Sri Lankans are still believed to be held in these camps, with the possibility of additional unreported detainees.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, held a telephone conversation with Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Sangiampongsa, to reaffirm the urgent assistance required with respect to the rescue and safe repatriation of trafficked Sri Lankans.

He also expressed appreciation for Thailand’s ongoing support in rescuing and repatriating Sri Lankans trafficked to cybercrime centers in the Myawaddy area of Myanmar.

Since 2023, Thailand has facilitated the safe return of 58 Sri Lankans who were forcibly detained by human trafficking syndicates.

Minister Herath urged Thailand’s urgent cooperation to expedite the rescue and repatriation of the remaining 18 Sri Lankans, who are reportedly facing torture and mistreatment in these centres.

The Foreign Minister of Thailand assured assistance to Sri Lanka in the endeavour to rescue the remaining trafficked Sri Lankans.

(News1st)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

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