News

Principal’s transfer violated fundamental rights: SC

Published

7 months ago

October 17, 2023

editor

The Supreme Court ruled that the Education Ministry Secretary had violated former Nakkawatta National School Principal K.D.Bandulani Basnayake’s fundamental rights by transferring her to the Provincial Education Department without giving any reason, against the rules of the Public Service Commission, in 2016.

The Supreme Court ordered the government to pay a compensation of Rs.100,000 and a court fee of Rs.50,000 to the petitioner.

After hearing a petition filed by the principal challenging her transfer, Supreme Court Justice Janak De Silva announced the decision with the concurrence of Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare and Achala Wengappuli.

The petitioner said that when she was appointed as the principal of Nakkawatta National School, the administration of the school had become a mess and after working hard, she upgraded the school to an “A” grade school.

The petitioner said that the Education Secretary transferred her to the North-Western Provincial Education Department with the approval of the Public Service Commission on August 10, 2016 without any valid reason.

Announcing the verdict, the Supreme Court said that the respondents have failed to record a statement from the petitioner before making this transfer, thereby violating Public Service Commission Regulation 221.

The court further said the Education Ministry Secretary has violated fundamental rights of the petitioner and accordingly, ordered the government to pay the relevant compensation and legal fees.

Fourteen people including the Secretary of the Ministry of Education have been named as respondents in this petition.

(AdaDerana)

News

Colombo air show and CADE 2024 exhibition postponed to next year

Published

10 hours ago

May 18, 2024

editor

The Colombo Air Show and Defence Exhibition (CADE 2024), initially set to take place from May 29 to June 2 at Galle Face and Colombo Port City, has been postponed to next year, according to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).

The SLAF stated that the decision to reschedule the event was made in response to multiple requests from international partners, defence industry stakeholders, and foreign Air Forces. This postponement aims to enhance participation and provide a more diverse experience for spectators.

The rescheduled event will now be held from February 26 to March 2, 2025, coinciding with the 74th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

News

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar arrives in Sri Lanka

Published

10 hours ago

May 18, 2024

editor

The Global Peace Ambassador and Spiritual Leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar arrived in Sri Lanka this afternoon (18) for a three-day visit. He was welcomed at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake by State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon and Eastern Province Governor Senthil Thondaman.

During his stay from May 18 to 20, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will participate in an event titled ‘Ekamuthuva: An Evening of Music, Meditation and Wisdom,’ which will be held at Taj Samudra on May 19. Renowned for his global humanitarian efforts and as a peace envoy, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is also an Indian yoga guru and the founder of ‘Transcendental Meditation’.

News

President leaves for Indonesia

Published

21 hours ago

May 18, 2024

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has left for Indonesia this morning (18) to attend the 10th World Water Forum High-Level Meeting in Bali, at the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

The 10th World Water Forum is being held from May 18th to 20th in Bali, Indonesia.

This significant gathering, themed “Water for Shared Prosperity,” will convene global leaders to address pressing issues related to water management and sustainability.

President Wickremesinghe left for Indonesia on Saturday, following an invitation from Indonesian President Joko Widodo, underscoring Sri Lanka’s commitment to international cooperation on water-related challenges.

Scheduled to deliver a keynote address on May 20th, President Wickremesinghe will articulate Sri Lanka’s perspective on achieving equitable access to water resources for all, the President’s Media Division said.

During the forum, President Wickremesinghe is expected to engage in bilateral discussions, including a meeting with President Widodo, to explore avenues for collaborative action in water resource management.

His delegation, comprising senior officials from the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reflects Sri Lanka’s comprehensive approach to addressing global water issues.

President Wickremesinghe’s participation underscores Sri Lanka’s proactive role in advancing sustainable solutions to ensure water security, not only domestically but also on the global stage, the PMD said.