Six killed in Nashville school shooting

Published

2 years ago

March 28, 2023

editor

Six people have been killed in a school shooting in the US city of Nashville, Tennessee, BBC reported.

Three of the victims were pupils aged nine or under at Covenant School, a privately run Christian school.

They were named by police as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney.

The adult victims were employees and named as Cynthia Peak, 61, Katherine Koonce, 60, and Mike Hill, 61.

Covenant School has about 200 students, and teaches pupils from three years old up to around 12.

Ms Peak was a substitute teacher working at the school that day. Mr Hill was a janitor and Ms Koonce is described as the Head of School on Covenant’s website.

Police named the suspect as a 28-year-old woman, Audrey Hale, who identified as transgender.

Hale was armed with three guns, including a semi-automatic rifle, and was shot dead by police.

Nashville Police Chief John Drake said the shooter had conducted surveillance, and that maps of the building showing entry and exit points were found at a nearby home.

Police received the first call about the incident at 10:13 local time on Monday morning.

Police said the suspect got in by firing through one of the school doors, which were all locked.

Special traffic plan in Borella today

Published

39 minutes ago

July 7, 2025

editor

Police have announced a special traffic plan that will be implemented in Borella today (July 07) due to an event marking the 50th Golden Jubilee celebration of the Priesthood of His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.

The event is expected to draw a large number of invited guests, including religious dignitaries, government officials, and members of the clergy.

To ease congestion, heavy vehicles will be restricted from entering the stretch between Kynsey Road junction and Nandadasa Kodagoda junction on Ward Place between 3.00 pm – 9.00 pm within the Borella Police Division.

Police have requested motorists to use alternate routes during this time.

News

Veteran civil servant Bradman Weerakoon bids adieu

Published

58 minutes ago

July 7, 2025

editor

Senior civil servant and distinguished public administrator Bradman Weerakoon has passed away at the age of 94.

Mr. Weerakoon was educated at Holy Cross College, Kalutara, and St. Thomas’ College, Gurutalawa, before entering the University of Peradeniya, where he graduated with honours in Economics and Sociology.

He later earned a Master’s Degree (MA) in Sociology from the University of Michigan, USA, on a Fulbright Scholarship.

He joined the Ceylon Civil Service in 1954 and served in various parts of the country before becoming secretary to the then Prime Minister – Sir John Kotelawala.

Over an extraordinary career, he went on to serve as Secretary to all elected Prime Ministers and Presidents until 2002, working under 07 Prime Ministers and 03 Presidents – an unparalleled contribution to Sri Lanka’s public administration.

News

Train schedules on Northern line revised

Published

1 hour ago

July 7, 2025

editor

The Department of Railways has announced amendments to train schedules on the Northern Line in response to public requests.

Due to high demand, the Intercity Express train, which previously operated only on weekends, will now run daily between Mt. Lavinia and Kankesanthurai starting today (July 07).

In addition, the departure time of the “Yaal Devi” train plying daily from Colombo Fort to Kankesanthurai has been revised from 5.45 am to 6.40 am.

The Department has advised passengers who made advance seat reservations for the “Yaal Devi” train a month ago, to note the new departure time.