News

Police constable sentenced to 45 years for statutory rape

Published

5 months ago

September 4, 2024

editor

A police constable accused of statutory rape of an underage girl who came to lodge a complaint at the Mount Lavinia police station in 2012, has been sentenced to 45 years of rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court.

High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige sentenced the former Mount Lavinia police constable to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment for each of the three charges, with the sentences to run concurrently.

The court also ordered the victim be compensated Rs. 250,000, and imposed an additional Rs. 10,000 fine on the accused. If the compensation or fine is not paid, further imprisonment terms of two years and six months, respectively, will be enforced.

The trial revealed that the constable had initially obtained the contact details of the victim when she and her mother visited the Mount Lavinia police station to file a complaint against a neighbour.

A romantic relationship later developed between the constable and the minor, during which he engaged in sexual relations with her multiple times.

The victim eventually attempted suicide after the constable refused to marry her. Her parents filed a complaint with the National Child Protection Authority, leading to an investigation and subsequent legal action.

In court, the constable claimed he had intended to marry the victim but was unaware of her age. He further stated that his decision not to marry her was due to objections from his family, as she was from a Muslim background. Despite the relationship being known to both families, the constable went on to marry someone else, it was revealed

Judge Patabendige convicted the accused on all charges, stating that the prosecution’s case was proven beyond reasonable doubt through medical evidence and other evidence.

(newswire.lk)

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

News

PNB seize over Rs. 280 mn. in biggest drug money bust

Published

8 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) has seized a stash of currency notes amounting Rs. 283 million.

It is said that this is the largest amount of cash ever confiscated from a drug trafficker in Sri Lanka.

The banknotes were recovered from a residence in Kurunegala during a search operation. 18 grams of ‘Ice’ (Crystal Methamphetamine), a double-cab, and a van were also seized during the raid.
According to police, the money allegedly belongs to a suspect who is currently in prison.

The suspect was presented before the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court and the Magistrate has granted permission for authorities to detain and further interrogate him.

News

Energy Ministry differs on electricity tariffs (Update)

Published

8 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

Hours after the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced a 20% average reduction in electricity tariffs effective from midnight today (Jan. 17), the Energy Ministry has stated that the tariff revision would be implemented only upon receiving approval from the Finance Ministry.

In a media release, the Ministry has said that the proposals should be first officially received and thereafter they would need Finance Ministry advice.

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(Previous News : January 17, 2025 3.05pm)

Electricity tariffs slashed by 20%

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has decided to slash electricity tariffs by an overall average of 20 percent.

The tariff reduction will affect all consumer categories and will come into effect from midnight today (Jan. 17).

The PUCSL’s proposed reductions are as follows;

Domestic tariff – reduced by 20%
Places of worship – reduce by 21%
Hotels – reduced by 31%
Industries – reduced by 30%
Government Institutions – reduced by 11%

Electricity tariffs reduction (Domestic)

0-30 units reduced by 29%
31-60 by 28%
61-90 by 19%
91-180 by 18%
More than 180 by 19%

BIZ

SL – China currency swap agreement, renewed

Published

9 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the People’s Bank of China, in December 2024, successfully renewed the Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement signed in 2021, for a period of another three (03) years, under the terms and conditions stipulated in the original agreement.

The CNY 10 billion (approximately USD 1.4 billion) currency swap facility reflects the financial cooperation between China and Sri Lanka.

Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, signed the agreement on behalf of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, while Mr. Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China, signed on behalf of the People’s Bank of China.

(CBSL)