News

Jerome Fernando in Singapore!

Published

2 years ago

May 17, 2023

editor

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said that pastor Jerome Fernando had gone to Singapore on the 14th with a group of his followers.

He had left for Singapore in the wake of the CID launching an investigation on the President’s order in connection with making statements in a way that harms religious harmony.

The CID said the investigation is being conducted by a Superintendent of Police under the full supervision of the CID Director.

Police said that they will be able to arrest the pastor upon his return.

Police sources said that video footage of the statements made by pastor Jerome Fernando regarding the Buddha and other religious leaders are being studied by the CID and necessary steps will be taken to obtain unedited footage as well.

The investigation against the pastor was launched when a video containing a statement made by him circulated on social media platforms causing an uproar among Buddhists.

The President’s special attention was drawn to this video and an order was issued to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to conduct an investigation through the CID.

The President had informed the IGP to conduct an investigation into the pastor’s statement and submit a report to him as religious conflicts may arise due to irresponsible statements and it may affect the harmony of the country

The state-owned ‘Dinamina’ newspaper reported that special attention has been paid to implement the law regarding this statement according to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Act No. 56 of 2007.

News

Gunmen open fire near Gampaha bus stand in brazen attack

Published

52 minutes ago

April 16, 2025

editor

A shooting incident was reported near the public bus stand in Gampaha town last night, police said.

According to reports, two individuals on a motorcycle opened fire at a moving small lorry before fleeing the scene. The two occupants of the lorry exited the vehicle and ran into a nearby shop for safety.

Fortunately, they were not injured in the incident. The motive behind the shooting has yet to be determined.

Gampaha Police are conducting further investigations to identify and arrest the suspects.

News

State oil anointing ceremony takes place today

Published

1 hour ago

April 16, 2025

editor

The annual State oil anointing ceremony, held in conjunction with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, is scheduled to take place today (April 16) at 9:04 a.m. at the Sri Maha Natha Devalaya premises, located within the Sri Dalada Maligawa Square in Kandy.

The anointing of oil will take place at 09.04 am on April 16 while donned in green attire facing Southwards, with Kohomba leaves above the head and ‘Kolon’ leaves at the feet, as per the traditional almanac.

News

Thundershowers expected in several areas today

Published

2 hours ago

April 16, 2025

editor

The Department of Meteorology states that showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, North-western, Uva, and North-central provinces during the afternoon or night today (April 16).

A few showers may also occur in the Western Province and in the Galle, Matara, Puttalam, and Mannar districts in the morning, according to the Dep. of Meteorology.

Fairly heavy falls of over 50 mm are likely in some areas of the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Uva provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa district during the morning.