News

Man sentenced to 8 years RI over molesting child

Published

6 months ago

November 25, 2024

editor

A 50-year-old father of one has been sentenced to 08 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually molesting a 11-year-old.

The Colombo High Court today sentenced the man and imposed a fine of Rs. 10,000 on the suspect, while he was also ordered to pay a compensation of Rs. 200,000 to the victim.

The court warned that in the event the suspect fails to pay the fine and compensation, he will be sentenced to another 18 months.

The victim had been sexually molested by the suspect after having visited the Vesak Zone in Colombo along with his family in May 2015.

The suspect is accused of luring the victim into a stall under the pretext of making a Vesak lantern, where he had sexually abused the child.

Delivering the verdict, the judge stated that at the time of committing this offense, the accused was a father of one child, and under such circumstances, the offense committed by him could not be taken lightly.

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

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

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

10 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.