News

Rape & killing of Vidya: SC to hear appeals of death row convicts

Published

2 years ago

March 21, 2023

editor

The Supreme Court (SC) has fixed for hearing the appeals filed by the convicts who were given the death penalty over the abduction, gang rape and murder of schoolgirl Sivaloganathan Vidya in 2015, seeking the acquittal from the sentences imposed on them.

The appeal petitions were taken up before the SC bench consisting of Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Gamini Amarasekara and Arjuna Obeyesekere yesterday (20).

The three-Judge bench, which considered the facts presented, ordered that the appeals be taken up for hearing on October 6, 2023.

The prison officers had produced the convicts of the case including the chief accused “Swiss Kumar” in Court, amid heavy security.

The Jaffna High Court, which heard the case, gave the death penalty to the seven accused on September 27, 2017.

The Trial At Bar sentenced the seven accused to death and also ordered them to pay Rs.1 million as compensation to the victim’s family. Additional penalties were also imposed on the convicts.

The appealing parties sought an order from the SC that the relevant death penalty be declared to have been imposed in violation of the law and to therefore acquit them from the charges.

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

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

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.