The Supreme Court yesterday (June 18) ordered two policemen to compensate a youth who was arrested and tortured in 2019 over an alleged gold theft from a company he had worked in.

The court ruled that the then OIC of Uragasmanhandiya Police and the then OIC of its Crime Branch had violated the fundamental rights of the young man – P.A.S. Madhushan by unlawfully arresting, assaulting, and torturing him to extract a confession over the incident.

Both police officers – identified as OIC Harith and OIC Hiran were ordered to personally pay Rs.01 million each in compensation as well as legal costs to the youth within 06 months.

The bench, comprising Justices Shiran Gunaratne, S. Thurai Raja, and A.H.M.D. Nawaz, also instructed that copies of the judgment be sent to the National Police Commission for further necessary action against the officers.

The FR case filed by the youth stated that he had voluntarily gone to the police with a lawyer upon learning that he was being sought over the theft. There, he was handcuffed and dragged along the floor into a room before being beaten and tortured until unconscious.

He said that the first respondent had compelled him to pay Rs.300,000 to the company owner to arrive at a settlement before being released on police bail. He had later been hospitalized for 12 days due to injuries inflicted on him.

Despite denials by the respondents, the SC bench found no lawful basis for the arrest and unanimously ruled that based on forensic medical reports, the petitioner had indeed been subjected to severe torture, confirming the violation of his rights.

England will host the 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in June-July next year.

The full fixture list of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is out now, with hosts England featuring in the opening clash against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on 12 June.

This edition marks the biggest ICC Women’s T20 World Cup yet, with 12 teams – more than ever before – vying for the coveted trophy.

Alongside the fixtures, the groups for the league stage were also revealed.

Group 1 features multiple-time champions Australia, 2024 finalists South Africa, Asian heavyweights India and Pakistan, along with two teams from the Global Qualifier.

Group 2 includes hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, Sri Lanka, former winners West Indies and the other two teams from the Global Qualifier.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, set for 30 June and 2 July at The Oval, with the grand finale taking place at Lord’s on 5 July.

The tournament spans 24 days, featuring 33 matches across seven iconic venues – Edgbaston, Hampshire Bowl, Headingley, Old Trafford, The Oval, Bristol County Ground and Lord’s.

“World Cups are always special, but this one already feels different – it has the potential to be truly game-changing,” England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt said.

“It’s going to be a huge moment for our sport and a brilliant opportunity to inspire young people and captivate fans across the country. Playing on home soil, for the biggest prize, against the best players in the world, it’s going to be unmissable. I can’t wait to be a part of it.

“The tournament will not only give fans across the nation a chance to see world-famous cricketers in action but will also affect lasting change by inspiring countless women and girls across the country to get involved with cricket.”

Tournament Director Beth Barrett-Wild said the tournament would contribute to lasting change.

“The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to transform a month of sporting excellence into a movement that will rewrite the narrative about women’s cricket,” she said.

“At iconic venues across the country, we’ll see incredible, world-class athletes battling it out in out in front of hundreds of thousands of fans, who with every ball bowled and run scored, will be contributing to lasting change. It’s our opportunity to give women’s cricket, and women’s sport, the stage it deserves.”

(ICC)

The Lanka Railway Controllers’ Union has announced they will engage in a 48-hour token strike from midnight today (June 19), citing several issues.

General Secretary of the union – K.D.D. Prasad, states that further action will be determined after discussions with railway authorities this morning.

He added that the strike is being carried out based on several demands, including the implementation of key reforms within Sri Lanka Railways and delays in promotions.