News

Ragging victim gets Rs 5.5 mn. compensation

Published

1 year ago

February 12, 2024

nipuni

Ten graduates from Peradeniya University were given a two-year Rigorous Imprisonment, each suspended for 10 years, and ordered to pay compensation by the Kandy Chief Magistrate after they pleaded guilty for a ragging incident committed in 2011.

They currently hold either administrative positions or are serving as teachers. The ragging victim had returned to his village in Hambantota without completing his degree, the court was told.

Kandy Chief Magistrate Shirinith Wijesekara ordered that each of the convicts pay Rs 550,000 to the victim, while a fine of Rs 5,000 each was also imposed. Accordingly the victim would receive a compensation of Rs 5.5 million.

The victim, who came from a poor family, had been dragged from his place of lodging, ragged severely in front of female students, and assaulted. The following day, the raggers mixed several parcels of food together and ordered him to eat it as an animal would do.

He had also been taken to another location, forced to engage in sexual acts with three other freshmen, and assaulted. He was also hung by his hands on a rafter.

The victim later claimed that he had thoughts of suicide following the ragging.

Due to injuries sustained, he had been hospitalised at the Peradeniya hospital on two occasions. Those who ragged him had threatened him with death and told him to say that the injuries had been caused following a fall, Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, who led the prosecution, told courts.

On the second occasion, the doctor treating him felt suspicious about the injuries, and on questioning the victim, he disclosed that the injuries were caused by ragging.

He had abandoned his studies and gone back to his village.

The magistrate severely warned the accused.

The case was filed under the Prohibition of Ragging and Other Forms of Violence in Educational Institutions Act, No. 20 of 1998.

(thesundaytimes.lk)

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

News

Maid at Keheliya’s residence, remanded

Published

5 hours ago

June 11, 2025

editor

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today (June 11) ordered the remand of a woman who had worked as a maid at the private residence of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, until June 17.

She was remanded over the case involving the misuse of public funds through fraudulent appointments to the Ministry of Health.

The suspect, Nipuni Krishnajina Rajapaksha, a resident of Embilipitiya, was taken into custody by officials from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on June 11, 2025.

According to CIABOC, she is believed to be connected to a broader investigation into the alleged misuse of government salaries and overtime allowances through false Health Ministry appointments.

News

Ranil gives statement on Immunoglobulin Cabinet papers

Published

5 hours ago

June 11, 2025

editor

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this afternoon to provide a statement.

The statement was in relation to cabinet papers submitted by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella concerning the procurement of Human Immunoglobulin.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived at the CID at 3:00 PM and gave his statement over the course of approximately one hour.

The questioning focused on two cabinet papers presented on September 26 and October 25, 2022, which proposed the emergency purchase of Human Immunoglobulin and other medications.

The cabinet papers, submitted by Minister Rambukwella, cited a severe shortage of essential medicines in the country and emphasized the urgent need to procure additional stocks to prevent a worsening of the crisis.

(News1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

President AKD meets his German counterpart (Pics)

Published

5 hours ago

June 11, 2025

editor

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who is currently on an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, was warmly received today (June 11) by German President Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Upon his arrival at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, President Disanayake was welcomed with full state honours including a ceremonial Guard of Honour accorded by the German Armed Forces. The President also participated in the inspection of the military parade.

Following the official welcome ceremony, President Disanayake and President Steinmeier held bilateral discussions.

The bilateral talks focused on further strengthening economic and international relations between the two nations, with special attention given to enhancing cooperation in vocational training and the tourism industry.

(President’s Media Division)