News

Divi Neguma officer sentenced to 20 yrs. RI for soliciting sexual bribe

Published

1 week ago

May 9, 2025

editor

A Development Officer with the Divi Neguma Department has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment by Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige for soliciting a sexual bribe from the mother of a seven-year-old child suffering from kidney disease, in exchange for approving government financial aid for the child’s surgery.

The court ruled that the 20-year sentence is to be served concurrently over a period of 10 years.

The convict, Ruwan Pradeep Madushanka, was found guilty on four charges filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and was also fined Rs. 20,000.

Furthermore, the court issued an order stripping the convict of his civic rights for a period of 10 years. The Registrar of the High Court was instructed to notify the Election Commissioner and other relevant authorities that the convict has lost his civic rights, including the right to vote.

The judge emphasised that the offender, as a public servant paid by taxpayers, had a duty to carry out his responsibilities ethically. Exploiting a vulnerable woman by soliciting a sexual bribe—particularly under such desperate circumstances—was an aggravating factor that the court could not take lightly.

The incident occurred when the accused took the complainant to a hotel in the Tissamaharama area, where he was subsequently arrested by the Bribery and Corruption Investigation Unit on May 21, 2016.

(dailymirror.lk)

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

News

Internal disputes delay LG member lists

Published

6 hours ago

May 17, 2025

editor

Due to various issues that have arisen within many political parties during the selection of members for LG bodies, submission of name lists to the Election Commission (EC) are being delayed, reports say.

As a result, the establishment of LG bodies is expected to be delayed further.

In this backdrop, the EC has instructed all political parties and independent groups to submit their name lists within a week.

The gazette on the newly appointed members will follow only after the EC receives all lists.

(Source : Lankadeepa)

News

Ministry cancels Br. Charles’ program at Padeniya temple

Published

6 hours ago

May 17, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs has issued a letter over a program organized by Br. Charles Thomas.

The relevant program is scheduled to be held today (May 17) at the historic Padeniya temple and is allegedly scheduled to be held in a manner that is harmful to Buddhism.

The letter notes that the Deputy Minister has taken steps to cancel the program following complaints from various parties, citing strong displeasure expressed by the local Buddhist community.

News

Applications open for A/L Vocational stream

Published

6 hours ago

May 17, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has announced that applications are now open for admissions for Grade 12 students for the Advanced Level (A/L) Vocational stream subjects.

According to the Ministry, the vocational stream will be offered in 608 schools starting this year.

The Ministry further clarified that students who have not passed the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination will still be eligible to apply, as O/L results will not be a determining factor for admission to this stream.

For this, students need to submit an application to the principal of the school they wish to enroll in.