News

Jeevan clarifies on footage of heated argument

Published

9 months ago

August 21, 2023

editor

Minister of Estate Infrastructure Development – Jeevan Thondaman has issued a clarification on a viral video that shows him threatening an official at an estate in Matale District.

The incident had occurred when the minister had visited the Ratwatte Estate in the Elkaduwa Plantation in the Matale District to inquire about the mistreatment of an impoverished family by the estate assistant manager, by forcibly tearing down their house.

“As Minister, I demanded action from the Chairman and General Manager of the Estate against this behaviour. Immediate steps were taken, and the Assistant Manager has been removed and dismissed.

“The Chairman, General Manager, and the responsible Assistant Manager also personally apologised to the affected family. Moreover, the Estate has committed to constructing a permanent home for them within its premises. But this is just the beginning,” he had said.

The matter was also Tweeted by MP Mano Ganesan, who had taken up the matter with Minister of Plantations Ramesh Pathirana, calling for the assistant manager to be sacked.

Today, I visited the Ratwatte Estate in the Elkaduwa Plantation in Matale district, where a distressing video revealed an impoverished family being mistreated by an assistant manager.

🎯As Minister, I demanded action from the Chairman and General Manager of the Estate against… pic.twitter.com/8HRm8UTr3W
— Jeevan Thondaman (@JeevanThondaman) August 20, 2023

#Modern_Slavery act of Estate Manager at #Lka government owned Matale district Elkaduwa Plantations, Ratwatta Estate lower division. Short-while ago, I called Plantation minister #RameshPathirana, yelled at him; " Sack the Fellow, We are at the end of our patience". #ManoGanesan… pic.twitter.com/mGOrYDkNqK
— Mano Ganesan (@ManoGanesan) August 19, 2023

News

Fmr. Army Chief joins SJB

Published

2 hours ago

May 17, 2024

nipuni

Former Army Commander Retired General Mahesh Senanayake has joined with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

In a Facebook post, party leader Sajith Premadasa said that the Former Army Chief joined the SJB to support the program to rebuild Sri Lanka.

Mr. Premadasa had appointed General Mahesh Senanayake as the Chief of the Samagi Ranaviru Balawegaya.

News

Colombo HC sentences 9 Pakistani drug traffickers to 10 years in prison

Published

3 hours ago

May 17, 2024

nipuni

Nine Pakistani nationals, who were arrested on charges of smuggling a large cache of drugs, have been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Colombo High Court.

During a joint operation carried out by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) and the Sri Lanka Navy on January 01, 2020, the Pakistani nationals were apprehended while transporting 614 kg of ‘Ice’ (Crystal Methamphetamine) and 581 kg and 34 grams of suspected drugs by boat.

The report of the Government Analyst has confirmed that the seized parcels contained over 491 kilograms of ‘Ketamine’ drugs and nearly 472 kilograms of ‘Ice’ (Crystal Methamphetamine).

The accused pleaded guilty to the charges when the case was taken up before the court, and were subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison, police said.

Furthermore, the police mentioned that measures are underway to extradite the suspects to Pakistan in order to serve their sentences.

(adaderana.lk)

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

News

Uni. exams postponed due to non-academic staff strike

Published

3 hours ago

May 17, 2024

nipuni

The University Grants Commission said all examinations of undergraduate students in universities have to be postponed, due to the ongoing strike launched by the university non-academic trade unions.
UGC Vice Chairman Senior Prof. Chandana P. Udawatte said as a result, over 50,000 undergraduates will not be able to complete their degree within the planned timeframe.

He said the issuance of the university admission manual, which includes the details on how to apply for degree courses, for those who pass the Advanced Level Examination, was also delayed due to the strike action.

Prof. Udawatte said the Minister of Education has already submitted the necessary proposals to the Cabinet to resolve the issues of the university non-academic staff.

However, Co-Convener of the University Trade Union Alliance Dhammika S. Priyantha said the strike will continue indefinitely until favourable solutions are provided to their demands.

The strike is ongoing for the 16th day.

(News1st)