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Travel agencies ordered to pay for NDTV journalist’s death in Sri Lanka

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Premier travel agencies Thomas Cook and Red Apple Travel have been ordered to pay ₹ 50 lakh to a Delhi man who lost his wife, son and father-in-law in an accident during a visit to Sri Lanka.

Kanupuriya Saigal, who died in the December 2019 accident, was a former journalist and news anchor with NDTV. Her son Shreya Saigal and father, famous Hindi litterateur Ganga Prasad Vimal, had died with her when the van they were travelling in collided with a container truck in Colombo. The 52-year-old driver of the van was also killed in the accident.

Her husband Yogesh Saigal and their daughter Aishwarya Saigal, had sustained severe injuries.

Nearly four years later, the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum directed the travel agencies to pay compensation to Yogesh Saigal.

“There is negligence/deficiency on part of the Opposition Parties (Thomas Cook and Red Apple Travel) on account of the negligence of the driver hired by them and they cannot be allowed to escape its responsibility and corresponding liability by stating that it was merely booking the places etc at the behest of the complainant,” the Forum said in its order.

The Saigal family had gone to the Forum against Thomas Cook and Red Apple Travel for their negligence and deficiency in services, unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements and cost of legal proceedings, sources said. They had sought damages to the tune of 8.99 crore.

In his complaint, Mr Saigal said he had been unable to attend the funeral and last rites of his wife and son, which took place in Delhi, as he had suffered multiple fractures and was recuperating at a hospital in Sri Lanka. The loss of his wife and father-in-law has hit his mother-in-law hard as she is physically and mentally challenged. His daughter, he said, is battling severe mental trauma. He is unable to walk normally and “finds it difficult to sleep or interact socially”.  

Post a comment The ₹ 50 lakh compensation has to be paid by the travel agencies “jointly and severally” within three months, failing which they have to pay another 10 lakh, the Forum said.

(NDTV)

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Several spells of showers expected today

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The Meteorology Department says several spells of showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts today (June 06).

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva and Eastern provinces and in Vavuniya and Mullaittivu districts during the afternoon or night.

Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Southern province.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

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Top defence officials of India – SL meet in Colombo (Pics)

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Indian Defence Secretary Mr. Rajesh Kumar Singh, leading a high-level delegation, held separate meetings today (Jun 05) with Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara and Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd). 

The meetings were also attended by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, H.E. Santosh Jha, reflecting the importance accorded to strengthening bilateral defence relations.

Discussions focused on key areas of mutual interest, including, bilateral defence cooperation, military exchanges and joint training opportunities, capacity building, collaboration in disaster management and humanitarian assistance.

During the meeting the Deputy Minister of Defence, recalled the close and long-standing friendship between neighbouring India and Sri Lanka, and expressed gratitude to the people and government of India for the support they have extended in the past, especially in times of need.

When the Indian delegation met the Sri Lankan Defence Secretary at the Ministry of Defence premises, Defence Secretary Thuyacontha (Retd.) expressed gratitude to the Government of India for the continued cooperation in strengthening Sri Lanka’s defence capabilities.

In response, his Indian counterpart reiterated India’s commitment to maintaining close and friendly relationship with Sri Lanka and expressed firm resolve to further enhance defence and security cooperation, contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

Both sides agreed to continue regular high-level engagements and to explore new avenues for cooperation, particularly in maritime security, counter-terrorism, and capacity development.

(defence.lk)

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Marine Drive tree planting project held (Pics)

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In line with World Environment Day, a tree planting and conservation project was launched this morning (5) along the coastal stretch of Colombo’s Marine Drive, from the Kollupitiya Railway Station towards Wellawatte. The initiative is being implemented by the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat Office.

Marking the commencement of the project, 1,600 Takkada (Scaevola taccada) saplings were planted today, with plans to expand the number to 6,000 in the near future. The project is being carried out with participation from state institutions, private organisations and the general public.

The Takkada plant, which includes two species highly resistant to saline environments, is listed as a threatened species on the Red Data List. The Scaevola taccada species planted today typically grows as a shrub reaching heights of 5 to 6 feet. Its dense green foliage and compact height make it ideal for urban settings, enhancing cityscapes with both environmental and aesthetic value.

This initiative is being carried out with the collaboration of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Police (Environmental and Traffic Divisions), Sri Lanka Railways, Road Development Authority, Urban Development Authority and the Colombo Municipal Council. It is sponsored by LB Finance PLC and Hemsandu Marketing Company.

The event was attended by Colombo Municipal Councillor Vraie Cally Balthazaar, Senior Additional Secretary to the President (Finance and Economic Affairs) G.M.R.D. Appuhamy, along with representatives from the sponsoring organisations and other distinguished guests.

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