News

Highest number of crimes in SL from Kelaniya

Published

1 month ago

December 28, 2022

editor

During this year, 29,930 incidents of serious crimes have been reported, Professor Wasantha Athukorala of Peradeniya University’s Department of Economics said.

Professor Athukorala said that there have been 497 murders, of which 223 were due to shootings or assaults.

He said this was revealed in a survey conducted by the university.

During this period, 16,317 property-related crimes and 5,964 crimes related to people have been committed.

The survey said that 1,466 cases of vehicle theft have been reported in the past 11 months. Professor Athukorala said the majority of them are motorcycle and three-wheeler theft cases, of which 39 per cent have been reported from the Western Province, 14 per cent from the North-Western Province and 13 per cent from the Southern Province.

Among the police divisions where serious crimes have been committed, Kelaniya Police Division has recorded the highest number of crimes this year which is 2,287.

Prof. Athukorala said 2,058 crimes have been reported from Anuradhapura and 2,018 from Nugegoda.

In addition, it is stated that more than 1,000 crimes have been reported from the police divisions of Negombo, Kandy, Kurunegala, Mount Lavinia, Colombo, Ratnapura, Gampaha, Kuliyapitiya and Panadura.

During the same period, 3,596 cases of kidnapping, 6,208 incidents of break-ins, and 2,159 robberies have been reported.

Compared to 2020, the number of serious crimes in Sri Lanka has increased by 4,336 in 2021.

In 2020, 31,098 serious crimes were reported and in 2021, the number increased to 35,434.

The survey said the economic crisis in the country has been the main reason for the increase in crimes.

However, Prof. Athukorala said the full report on crimes committed in 2022 has not been completed yet.

“According to the information received, about 29,930 serious crimes have been reported. About 36% of these crimes are reported from the Western Province, 13% from the North-Western Province, 10% from the Southern Province, 9% from Sabaragamuwa and 8% from the Central Province,” he said.

News

No COVID-19 deaths yesterday

Published

7 hours ago

January 30, 2023

editor

No COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed yesterday (29) by the Director-General of Health Services.

Accordingly, the current COVID-19 death toll remains at 16,828.

News

Racecourse murder : Boyfriend further remanded

Published

7 hours ago

January 30, 2023

editor

The university student who was held in remand custody for allegedly murdering his girlfriend with a sharp weapon at Race Course grounds in Colombo has been remanded further.

Taking up the case today (30) Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis ordered him to be further remanded till February 13.

The magisterial inquest into the death was held today before Colombo Chief Magistrate and

A testimony of the deceased’s father was recorded before Chief Magistrate and further magisterial inquiry was fixed for February 13.

The suspect was not produced before Court by prison authorities since he is currently receiving treatment at the Mental Health Unit of prison hospital.

News

Constitutional Council approves several judicial appointments

Published

7 hours ago

January 30, 2023

editor

The Constitutional Council met today (30) in Parliament presided by Speaker and the Chairman of the Constitutional Council – Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, MPs Sagara Kariyawasam, other council members Dr. Prathap Ramanujam, Dr. (Mrs) Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere, Dr. (Mrs) Dinesha Samararatne were present at the Council meeting held.

MP Kabir Hashim, had informed his inability to attend this meeting due to unavoidable circumstances.

The Constitutional Council considered the recommendation of the President to appoint K.P. Fernando, President of the Court of Appeal as a Judge of the Supreme Court, to the post which fell vacant with the retirement of L.T.B. Dehideniya, Judge of the Supreme Court. The Constitutional Council unanimously approved the above recommendation.

Further the Constitutional Council unanimously approved the nomination of N.B.P.D.S. Karunarathna, Judge of the Court of Appeal to be appointed as the President of the Court of Appeal, and the nomination of Mr M.A.R. Marikkar, High Court Judge to be appointed as a Judge of the Court of Appeal to the resultant vacancies.

The Constitutional Council further decided to publish the advertisement on newspapers of 1st February 2023, calling for applications for the appointment as Members of the Commissions specified in Schedule to Article 41B of the Constitution. Draft format of the application would be published on the Official Parliament website. The deadline to submit applications is 15th February 2023.