News

SL housemaid severely abused in Saudi Arabia

Published

3 months ago

February 6, 2024

nipuni

In a distressing incident, Kumudini Sandya Kumari Seneviratne, a Sri Lankan housemaid who sought employment in Saudi Arabia, is currently battling severe abuse and torture at the hands of her employer.

The harrowing tale unfolds in the Mundalama area, shedding light on the unfortunate plight of migrant workers pursuing better opportunities abroad.

Seneviratne, a resident of Kajuwatta in Mundalama, secured employment in Saudi Arabia through a private foreign employment agency in Kurunegala on May 23, 2023.

She followed the proper procedures by registering with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau before departing the country.

However, her ordeal began when she faced harassment in her initial place of employment, leading her to seek refuge and file a complaint with the Sri Lankan Embassy in the country.

Despite the embassy’s intervention and a subsequent change of employer through the foreign employment agency, Seneviratne continued to face mistreatment, prompting her to seek yet another placement.

Her husband, Warnakulasuriya Neranjan Fernando, narrated the horrific experiences his wife endured, stating that the employment agency referred her for the third time to the brother’s house of her previous employer.

There, she fell victim to severe physical assault and was subjected to acidic liquid, resulting in serious burn injuries. Seneviratne also suffered a lower limb fracture, necessitating hospitalization.

Fernando pleaded for swift action from the Foreign Employment Bureau and other relevant authorities to facilitate Seneviratne’s return to Sri Lanka.

He expressed concern over her current condition, indicating that she is under the care of the Sri Lankan Embassy but is crippled. Unfortunately, he remains unable to establish direct contact with her.

In response to the distressing situation, steps are being taken to ensure Seneviratne’s safety and well-being.

The Sri Lankan Embassy is actively involved, providing medical assistance and coordinating efforts to address the legal aspects of the abuse she endured.

The Foreign Employment Bureau has been alerted to the incident, emphasizing the need for enhanced protection for Sri Lankan workers abroad.

(dialymirror.lk)

News

Bill suspending Parate Law, passed

Published

13 hours ago

May 7, 2024

editor

The Recovery of Loans by Banks (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Bill, which was amended to facilitate legal provisions for the suspension of Parate Law until December 15, 2024, was passed in Parliament without amendments today (May 07).

This amendment introduces legal provisions for the suspension of the Parate Law until December 15, 2024.

News

Mervyn granted bail

Published

14 hours ago

May 7, 2024

editor

Colombo Additional Magistrate Tharanga Mahawatta today (May 07) ordered the release of former Minister Mervyn Silva on bail over the SLRC assault incident in 2007.

He was ordered to be released on a surety of Rs. 500,000.

Silva was accused of threatening and assaulting a former journalist of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.

The Magistrate also ordered to immediately arrest former municipal councillor – Lal Peiris, who was named as the third suspect in the case, and produce him before the court.

The Magistrate also banned him from travelling overseas.

(Source : Lankadeepa)

News

Appeals Court rejects Wijeyadasa’s petition against interim order

Published

14 hours ago

May 7, 2024

editor

The Court of Appeal today dismissed the petition filed by Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe seeking to suspend the interim injunction issued by the Colombo District Court preventing him from functioning as the Acting Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was appointed as the Acting Chairman of SLFP during an executive committee meeting held on April 21, by the party’s faction led by former President Maithripala Sirisena.

On April 24, the Colombo District Court issued an injunction order preventing Minister Wijeyadasa from functioning as the Acting Chairman of the SLFP.

The court has also issued an injunction order preventing MP Sarathie Dushmantha Mithrapala from functioning as the General Secretary of SLFP.

Meanwhile, the court had issued another injunction preventing the implementation of the decisions taken by the SLFP Acting General Secretary.

The Colombo District Judge issued these injunctions after considering a plaint submitted by Ministers Mahinda Amaraweera, Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Member of Parliament Duminda Dissanayake.

It was mentioned in the order that these injunctions will remain in effect until May 08, 2024.

However, Minister Rajapakshe had later filed a petition with the Court of Appeal seeking to invalidate the recent order issued by the Colombo District Court preventing him from functioning as the Acting Chairman of SLFP.

(adaderana.lk)

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