News

Rahul Gandhi gets 2-yr jail term

Published

9 months ago

March 23, 2023

editor

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has been sentenced to two years in prison in a criminal defamation case.

Mr Gandhi was convicted by the court in Gujarat state for 2019 comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surname during an election rally.

He will not go to jail immediately – he has been given bail for 30 days and can file an appeal against his conviction.

The Congress party MP was present in court for sentencing, which comes a year before general elections are due.

Speaking at an election rally in Karnataka state ahead of the 2019 general election, Mr Gandhi had asked why all thieves have “Modi” as a common surname – according to media reports from the time, he was referring to fugitive diamond tycoon Nirav Modi and former Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi.

The case was filed on the basis of a complaint by Purnesh Modi, a lawmaker from India’s governing Bharatiya Janata Party, who said that Mr Gandhi’s comments had defamed the entire Modi community.

Mr Gandhi’s lawyers had argued that the right legal procedures had not been followed in the case. They also said that Narendra Modi should have been the complainant as Purnesh Modi was not the target of Mr Gandhi’s speech.

The Congress party tweeted that Mr Gandhi will file an appeal and “we will fight and win”.

Mr Gandhi has not commented publicly yet but has tweeted a quote in Hindi from Mahatma Gandhi: “My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God, and non-violence the means to get it.”

(BBC News)

News

Sri Lankan ground staff awarded promised cash reward – SLC

Published

5 hours ago

December 6, 2023

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Sri Lanka Cricket states that they have commenced the distribution of the US$50,000 award (LKR 16 million) money promised during the Asia Cup to the ground staff of the RPICS, Colombo, and PICS, Kandy.

Accordingly, 138 members of the ground staff of the RPICS, Colombo, who worked during the Asia Cup 2023 (permanent and contract employees) were rewarded for their effort, while 115 members of the ground staff of the PICS, Kandy, will receive their reward this Friday.

A media statement by the SLC further notes :

The staff of both venues did a yeomen service during the tournament to ensure the practice facilities, outfield, pitches, covering and uncovering of the ground, and related services were in place and in time to conduct the tournament successfully, despite the bad weather conditions that prevailed during that time.

Curators, turf supervisors, ground staff, and technical staff are among the recipients of the reward payment.

The rewards were granted to the RPICS ground staff by the National Curator, Mr. Godfrey Dabrera, this morning.

The rewards were awarded jointly by the Asian Cricket Council and Sri Lanka Cricket, with each institution contributing US$25,000.

News

Man killed after hospital wall collapses

Published

6 hours ago

December 6, 2023

editor

A father of one lost his life after he was crushed under a wall that collapsed at the Henwala Divisional Hospital in Kadugannawa.

The wall had collapsed when workers were preparing the foundation to construct a new wall, says Mr. Indika Ranaweera, Assistant Director of the Kandy District Disaster Management Centre.

The man who was crushed to death has been identified as a 32-year-old named Ranjith Abeyratne who is a father of one.
The remains were moved to the Henawala Hospital in Kadugannawa, and the Kadugannawa Police are investigating the incident.

News

Earthslip blocks upcountry railway tracks again

Published

6 hours ago

December 6, 2023

editor

Train operations on the upcountry line have been disrupted due to an earthslip which occurred around 4.00pm today (Dec. 06) between Ohiya and Idalgashinna railway stations, amidst the heavy rains in the area.

Sri Lanka Railways said that trains plying to Badulla will be terminated at Ohiya railway stations until the tracks are cleared.