News

HRCSL recommends action against Peradeniya Professor

Published

7 months ago

March 18, 2024

editor

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has ruled that disciplinary action be taken against the Acting Head of the Archeology Department of the University of Peradeniya, Prof Ananda Jayawickrema of the University of Peradeniya for violating the rights of another professor of the same department.

The ruling has been given by the Chairman of the Commission, L.T.B. Dehideniya, a former Supreme Court judge and Commission member Nimal G. Punchihewa.

The petition had been filed by Prof M.W.C.N.K. Rambukwella, Chair Professor of the Archeology Department who had been prevented from attending an international conference organized by an Indian University by Prof Jayawickrema deliberately delaying approval to take part in the event held last month.

The International conference has been organized by the Mohanlal Sukhadia University in the State of Rajasthan, India to be held from February 2 to February 5 and Prof Rambukwella was due to Chair the event.

Besides, Prof Jayawickrema, the petitioner Prof Rambukwella also cited Dr Prabath Ekanayake, Dean of the Arts Faculty of the University of Peradeniya, Prof M.D. Lamawansa, Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya and the Acting VC at that time, Prof Terrance Madhujith.

Prof Rambukwella had submitted her leave application for nine days through the online system on January 19 to the Head of the Department. That was well within the stipulated period.

The Human Rights Commission has found that due to a string of other delays and other administrative mistakes the leave could not be approved in time.

Accordingly, the Commission recommended that the disciplinary action be taken before March 23, 2024 and to inform the petitioner and the Commission about the progress.

(sundaytimes.lk)

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

News

3 officers at Angunukolapelessa Prison interdicted after inmates escape

Published

6 hours ago

October 8, 2024

editor

Three officers at the Angunukolapelessa Prison have been interdicted following the escape of four inmates.

The incident had occurred on October 1 when a group of 10 inmates had been taken out of the prison on the instructions of the prison’s main jailor for cleaning duties. Four out of the 10 inmates who were taken out in this manner had subsequently escaped.

The Department of Prisons stated that the main jailor had taken steps to remove these prisoners and have them engage in cleaning duties without the approval of the prison’s superintendent and that he had not informed the superintendent about removing these inmates.

All four escapees had pending court cases against them and they included one inmate serving a 21-year prison sentence while also having two other court cases pending against him.

Three of the inmates were subsequently captured but one remains at large.

As per the recommendations of an initial inquiry conducted by the Assistant Superintendent of the Matara Prison, the main jailor of the Angunukolapelessa Prison who ordered the inmates to be taken out for cleaning duties, the junior jailor who took them out for those duties as well as the prison guard in charge of the cleaning crew have all been interdicted, Prisons Spokesman Gamini B. Dissanayake stated.

(sundaytimes.lk)

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

News

Upcountry trains to end midway due to movie shoot

Published

6 hours ago

October 8, 2024

editor

Due to a joint Indo-Sri Lanka movie being shot on the Nine Arches Bridge, upcountry line trains from Colombo and Kandy will terminate at Ella or Bandarawela from tomorrow (Oct. 09) until October 15th, Sri Lanka Railways state.

Accordingly, trains from 7:30 am – to 5:30 p.m. each day will be affected.

In addition, trains from Badulla will start from Ella or Bandarawela.

News

Amaraweera’s fmr. residence handed over to SBV

Published

6 hours ago

October 8, 2024

editor

Former Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation – Mahinda Amaraweera has handed over his official residence in Paget Road, Colombo to Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya in Colombo, reports say.

He had vacated the premises today (Oct. 08).

Speaking to media, Amaraweera has said that the proposal to hand over the residence to Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya had been granted cabinet approval during the previous government.

He added that all necessary documentation had been completed for the transfer which now allows the school to use the building from today onwards.