News

SC declares detention order by Gota, unlawful

Published

2 months ago

March 18, 2025

editor

The Supreme Court today (18) ruled that a detention order issued by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa under the Prevention of Terrorism Act was entirely unlawful.
The order had been used to detain and investigate a woman in connection with a heroin possession case in 2020.

The woman was arrested for possessing heroin in 2020.

The Supreme Court ordered the government to pay her Rs. 100,000 in compensation for the violation of her fundamental rights.

The ruling was made in response to a fundamental rights petition filed by Kanchana Priyadarshani Madurapperuma, a resident of Henagama, Pokunuwita, who was arrested by the Peliyagoda Special Investigation Unit.

The judgment was delivered by a bench of Supreme Court judges, including Dilip Nawaz and Mahinda Samayawardhana, with Justice S. Thurairaja presiding.

The petition stated that the woman and her brother were arrested on January 3, 2020, in Bandaragama by officers from the Peliyagoda Special Investigation Unit.

(News1st)

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

News

8,742 Vesak Dansals registered islandwide

Published

2 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

The Public Health Inspectors (PHI)’s Union states that a total of 8,742 Dansals have been registered islandwide, in line with Vesak celebrations this year.

According to the PHI’s Union chairman – Upul Rohana, the highest number of ‘Dansal’ is registered in the Western Province, particularly in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area.

The union has also urged organiser to reduce the use of polythene and plastic during food distribution efforts.

News

Financial assistance from President’s Fund for Gerandi Ella bus accident victims

Published

3 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

A sum of Rs. 1 million from the President’s Fund will be granted for each individual who lost their life in the Kotmale bus accident, the President’s Media Division states.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake has directed that a sum of Rs. 1 million be granted from the President’s Fund to each individual who lost their life in the tragic bus accident that occurred early this morning (11) in the Garadiella area, Kotmale.

Accordingly, arrangements have been made to promptly disburse these funds to the next of kin of the deceased through the President’s Fund.

In addition to this assistance, compensation will also be provided to the affected families through the Sri Lanka Transport Board and relevant insurance schemes.

Meanwhile, authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident, which has claimed 22 lives so far.

(Pic : Accident1st)

News

Maxwell gets 5-yr. ban

Published

3 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

Former Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) Maxwell de Silva was handed a five-year ban, sources revealed.

Earlier, De Silva was suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Ministry of Sports due to various irregularities committed by him over several years.

Accordingly, the NOCSL Executive Committee decided to hand down a five-year ban on De Silva, considering the recommendations made by the NOCSL Ethics Committee, NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam told the Daily Mirror.

Subramaniam further stated that the penalty on De Silva has already been communicated in writing to the IOC.

Accordingly, the former secretary, who has been banned for five years, is now completely prohibited from representing the NOCSL at any foreign event or international conference.

(dailymirror.lk)

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