Visiting Indian Prime Minister – Narendra Modi along with Sri Lankan President – Anura Kumara Disanayake paid homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura this morning (April 06) and received blessings.  

Following his visit to the sacred site, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to the Udamaluwa, where he met with the Chief Incumbent of the Great Eight Buddhist Shrines (Atamasthanadhipathi) and Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwarakalaviya, Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, for a cordial discussion.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared that relics of the Buddha were discovered in excavations conducted in his home state of Gujarat during the 1960s. He further stated that he would discuss with the President of Sri Lanka the possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka.

Responding to a request made by the Atamasthanadhipathi to develop Bodh Gaya as a spiritual city, Prime Minister Modi assured that he would take the necessary steps after discussions with President Disanayake and work towards making it a reality.

The Maha Sangha, led by the Atamasthanadhipathi, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the Indian Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister also left a commemorative note in the special guest book at the site. In addition, he formally inaugurated the newly constructed ‘Makara Thorana’ within the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises.

The occasion was also attended by Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Temple Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanathilaka Thera and other Atamasthana Viharadhipathi Theras, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Indian High Commissioner HE Santosh Jha and others.

(Pics : President’s Media Division  / X account of PM Modi)

Negombo Police has commenced an investigation based on a complaint received regarding the alleged serious sexual assault on a female patient at the Negombo General Hospital, according to the Police Headquarters.

A young woman had visited the Negombo General Hospital on 31 March to receive treatment for a dental issue and skin disease. She was accompanied to the hospital by her mother, according to Police.

It is alleged that during the examination, a doctor had sexually assaulted her, and the incident was reported to the Negombo Police Station through the Director of the hospital.

Subsequently, the young woman was produced before a judicial medical officer on Wednesday (2).

The Police report states that the alleged victim has not been satisfied with the medical report provided following the examination.

Accordingly, Police have taken steps to have the woman examined by a special medical panel.

Meanwhile, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has issued a statement in response to the incident reported at the Negombo General Hospital.

While acknowledging the serious nature of the incident, the GMOA has stated that the doctor in question had been expelled from the association in 2021.

He has been expelled from the association due to repeated disciplinary violations, according to the GMOA.

The GMOA also called for a comprehensive investigation over the incident and to severely punish the individual, if found guilty.

The GMOA expressed concern that incidents of such nature could erode the public trust in the free healthcare system and emphasized the need to ensure a safer environment for women, according to the statement.

(adaderana.lk)

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

Leave of postal workers will be cancelled from today (April 06) until the conclusion of the Local Government Elections, Deputy Postmaster General Premachandra Herath has stated.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has announced that postal ballot papers will be handed over to the post office tomorrow.

Postal voting for the local government election is scheduled to be held from April 22- 24.

Voters who are unable to cast their votes on those dates will be given an additional opportunity to do so on April 28th and 29th.