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St. Thomas’ Prep School closed after portion of building collapses

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The St. Thomas’ Preparatory School (STPS), located in Kollupitiya, Colombo has been closed down indefinitely after a portion of a school building had collapsed, just two days before the school was to be reopened after the New Year holidays.

According to internal reports, the collapse could have been tragic if it took place when the school was open.

In this backdrop, questions are being raised over the building standards of the school buildings of STPS, which functions as a private school under the supervision of the Ministry of Education.

Earlier this January, parents of students in Grade 6-8 have also raised safety concerns over the reconstruction of the Middle School classroom block which houses 25- students while construction activities are taking place. They have formally communicated their concerns with the current principal of the school – Fr. Nihal Fernando.

The Principal is yet to reply to the parents and ‘Sri Lanka Mirror’ learns that he had verbally informed parents that he hoped the Old Boys’ Association would respond to the matter since they are funding the construction activities.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that a number of issues have been raised with the Principal’s arbitrary approach over the matter.

It is revealed that the constructions have not been done by a recognized contractor and there had been no independent evaluation as requested by the parents.

Also, another wall in the school, deemed as unsafe, had also collapsed three months ago. This has also been concealed by the Principal.

In the meantime, it is reported that the Principal has not revealed the identity of the contractors as well financial details such as how much was spent on the project.

It is also said that the parents are not briefed on whether the assessments of its renovation were carried out by a recognized, licensed structural engineer or an engineering firm.

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Landslide warnings for several areas

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The National Building and Research Organisation (NBRO) has extended the early landslide warnings issued to multiple areas in eight districts, as heavy rainfall continues in parts of the island.

The NBRO says that the warnings will be in effect until 4.00 pm tomorrow (Nov. 07).

Accordingly, a Level 1 (Amber) warning has been issued for several Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSDs) and surrounding areas in the Badulla, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara and Ratnapura districts as follows:

Badulla – Welimada, Haldummulla DSDs and surrounding areas
Galle – Elpitiya DSD and surrounding areas
Kalutara – Bulathsinhala DSD and surrounding areas
Kandy – Udapalatha and Yatinuwara DSDs and surrounding areas
Kegalle – Rambukkana and Mawanella DSDs and surrounding areas
Kurunegala – Polgahawela DSD and surrounding areas
Matara – Pasgoda, Akuressa and Kotapola DSDs and surrounding areas
Ratnapura – Godakawela, Imbulpe, Nivithigala, Openayake, Elapatha, Balangoda, Kalawana, Ayagama, Pelmadulla, Kiriella and Kahawatta DSDs and surrounding areas

Meanwhile, a Level 2 (Yellow) warning was issued for the following areas:

Kegalle – Deraniyagala, Ruwanwella, Dehiowita, Yatiyanthota, Kegalle, Galigamuwa, Bulathkohupitiya, Warakapola and Aranayake DSDs and surrounding areas

Ratnapura – Ratnapura, Kuruwita and Eheliyagoda DSDs and surrounding areas

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RW named respondent as court to review injunction against e-passport purchase

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Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been named as a respondent of the writ petition filed with the Court of Appeal challenging the previous government’s decision to purchase passports from two foreign companies.

Wickremesinghe has been named as a respondent of the relevant writ petition filed by Epic Lanka Private Limited, through a motion submitted by the petitioning party, when the petition was taken up before the two-member Appeals Court judge bench comprising Justices Mohammed Laffar and P. Kumaratnam today (06).

During the hearing, the attorneys who appeared for the two foreign companies named as respondents stated that their clients have been critically prejudiced through the interim injunction issued by the court preventing the purchase of 5 million e-passports.

The attorneys, who pointed out that the relevant injunction will be in effect until the hearings of the petition are concluded, requested the court to issue an order lifting the injunction.

Meanwhile, appearing for the petitioning party, President’s Council Viran Corea argued that the process of purchasing the passports in question has been carried out under an informal procurement system.

Furthermore, the President’s Counsel objected to the lifting of the injunction issued, requesting for an expedited conclusion of the hearing of the petition and for a final verdict to be issued.

Following the consideration of the facts presented, the bench ordered the petitioning party to file objections related to the request to lift the injunction preventing the purchase of passports. 

Later, the case was also ordered to be recalled on December 09 for the consideration of facts on whether or not the injunction should be lifted.

The petition has been filed by Epic Lanka Private Limited seeking an order invalidating the decision taken by the previous government to purchase 750,000 normal passports and 5 million e-passports from two foreign firms.

(adaderana.lk)

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

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Prime Minister meets Anti Corruption officials of ICC

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya recently met with key figures from the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), including Mr. Sumathi Dharmawardena, President’s Counsel, the newly appointed Independent Chair of the ICC ACU, and Mr. Alex Marshall, (CBE, QPM) General Manager of Integrity and Human Resources, ICC.

During the discussion, Mr. Alex Marshall noted Sri Lanka’s progress in combating corruption in cricket over the past seven years, emphasizing the importance of player education and strengthening the Ministry of Sports’ Special Investigations.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Andrew Ephgrave, Senior Manager, of ICC ACU Operations; Mr. Vije Bandara, Senior Attorney and Director General of Legal at the President’s Office; Mrs. Illeperuma, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Sports; and Prof. Shemal Fernando, Director General of Sports.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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