News

Preacher arrested over breaking into newspaper office

Published

1 year ago

April 10, 2023

editor

A Preacher of a Christian group has been arrested after he led group into the Udayan newspaper office on Kasthuriyar Road, Jaffna in protest over an article published in the Sunday edition of the newspaper, and threatened the media workers.

The group of about 30 people which was led by the pastor of a Christian church in Achuveli, Jaffna, was involved in the incident. The Jaffna police are carrying out investigations over the incident.

Two others also have been arrested.

They were from the ‘Assembly of Life Word’ in Achuveli..

They were arrested on the basis of the initial complaint that they entered a house near the church and strangled a femalle bank employee who had complained to the police that the preacher and others who broke into the house last Friday attacked her and her mother who were at home at that time.

The affected woman has also been treated at the hospital. Residents in the area say that the attack came after the Bank employee complained about excessive noise during prayer events in conducted by the Preacher. However the preacher and the other two told the police investigation that they went to that house because stones were thrown at the congregation.

The Preacher had stormed the newsapper office as the Udayan had published the news item on Sunday.

As a result of that about 30 men, women, boys and girls arrived at the headoffice of the Udayan yesterday afternoon in a mini bus and a pickup truck. Defying the office security officer, the gang broke into the reception hall and demanded as on how they reported the incident.

The religious group covered the office gate and sat on the floor so that no one could enter.

Two employees of Udayan newspaper approached the mob and tried to find out what their demand were and to find a solution to it. But the protesting group was not inteding to resolve the matter to resolve the matter.

The pastor and two others who were arrested by the Achuveli police were granted bail.

“If there is any mistake in the news, if you submit the relevant evidence and explanation, we will investigate it accordingly and make a decision. “If not, approach the matter legally,” the mob was repeatedly told by the newspaper, but the mob did not heed to it and protested.

The gang members took photographs and videotaped the employees of Udayan Press without their permission.

It has been brought to the attention of the Minister of Public Security, Minister Tiran Alles and the ministr has assured that appropriate action will be taken in this regard.

(sundaytimes.lk)

News

Indian swimmer dies while swimming from SL to India

Published

8 hours ago

April 23, 2024

editor

Indian swimmer dies while swimming from SL to IndiaA 78-year-old man, Gopal Rao, of Bengaluru, Karnataka, died of a heart attack while he was swimming from Talaimannar in Sri Lanka to the Dhanushkodi islet in Rameswaram, T.N., on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

Mr. Rao was part of a group of 31 swimmers who held a relay swimming event from Sri Lanka to India through the Palk Strait. The swimmers had left Rameswaram by boat, and had gone to Sri Lanka on April 22. At 12.10 a.m. on April 23, they began swimming from Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka towards Dhanushkodi.

Gopal Rao, believed to have been the third swimmer on the row, began feeling uneasy and complained of chest pains at 3.10 a.m. He was immediately helped to get into the boat that was accompanying the swimmers. The doctor attending on him however, subsequently declared that he was dead.

As a mark of respect, all the other swimmers cancelled the relay event and reached Dhanushkodi islet by boat.

The body has been sent for a post-mortem to the Rameswaram Government Hospital. The Rameswaram Town police have registered a case.

It is said that the group of swimmers had obtained all necessary clearances from both the Indian and Sri Lankan governments for the event.

(thehindu.com)

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

News

Over 2.5 mn. Lankans have migrated in the last 2 years!

Published

9 hours ago

April 23, 2024

editor

Quarterly reports of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) have revealed that 2,565,365 Sri Lankans have left the country for various reasons in the last two years.

According to the report statistics, 1,127,758 Sri Lankans had gone overseas in 2022 as well as 1,437,607 more in 2023.

However, out of these numbers, ony a total of 608,925 Sri Lankans (24%) have gone overseas for employment. That is 311,269 and 297,656 in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

According to this data, the monthly average figure of Sri Lankans who migrated to foreign countries for employment in 2022 is 25,939. In 2023, that figure stood at 24,805.

Statistics confirm that 70% of those migrating to foreign countries in 2023 will be skilled and professional workers.

(Source : BBC Sinhala)

News

Visiting CPC delegation meets with NPP leader (Pics)

Published

9 hours ago

April 23, 2024

editor

National People’s Power Leader – Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (April 23) met the visiting delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
The Chinese delegation consisted of Sun Haiyan, Deputy Minister of the Department of International Affairs of the Communist Party of China and member of the Central Committee of the Party, Lin Tao, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Affairs of the Communist Party of China, Chen Xiangyuan, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, Li Jinyan, Director of the Department of the International Affairs of the Communist Party of China, Jin Yan, Deputy Director, Wen Jun, Secretary to the Deputy Minister, Jin Enze, the Third Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, and Zhang Guyu, the translator.

The NPP was represented by Vijitha Herath, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando, and Sunil Handunneththi.

The meeting, held at the party headquarters, focused on the current political situation, upcoming elections and possible political developments were discussed between the two sides.

The leaders of the NPP had pointed out the importance of creating political stability in the country to get the country out of the crisis.

The visiting delegation had been focused on the measures and organizational structures adopted by the NPP in the political field and their gaining popularity among the public.

The NPP leaders also had emphasized their relations with various people, groups, social strata and Sri Lankans abroad, as well as their policies in building the country, and the dialogue between the party structures and the public.