News

US imposes sanctions on major Bulathwatte

Published

12 months ago

December 10, 2022

editor

The US has imposed sanctions on yet another Sri Lankan military officer for human rights abuses in their latest action to promote accountability for corruption and human rights abuses around the world.

Marking Human Rights Day on Friday, the US state department, in a statement named Prabath Bulathwatte, the former head of a clandestine Sri Lankan Army platoon known as the Tripoli Platoon, for “gross violation” of human rights and “degrading treatment” of a Sri Lankan journalist.

“Pursuant to section 7031(c) the Department of State is designating Bulathwatte for his involvement in a gross violation of human rights, namely torture and/or cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of Sri Lankan journalist, Keith Noyahr in May 2008”, the statement said.

It said all property and interests in property of individuals or entities in the US or under the control of the US are blocked, and they and their immediate family members are made ineligible for entry to the US.

Last year, the US state department similarly listed two Sri Lankan soldiers, Chandana Hettiarachchi, Navy officer, and Sunil Ratnayake, a staff sergeant of the Sri Lanka Army holding them accountable for gross violations of human rights.

In 2020, the US State Department similarly sanctioned Sri Lanka’s current chief of defence staff Gen Shavendra Silva, and former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, on allegations of war crimes committed during the final phase of the armed conflict with the LTTE in 2009.

(PTI)

News

Sri Lankan ground staff awarded promised cash reward – SLC

Published

4 hours ago

December 6, 2023

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Sri Lanka Cricket states that they have commenced the distribution of the US$50,000 award (LKR 16 million) money promised during the Asia Cup to the ground staff of the RPICS, Colombo, and PICS, Kandy.

Accordingly, 138 members of the ground staff of the RPICS, Colombo, who worked during the Asia Cup 2023 (permanent and contract employees) were rewarded for their effort, while 115 members of the ground staff of the PICS, Kandy, will receive their reward this Friday.

A media statement by the SLC further notes :

The staff of both venues did a yeomen service during the tournament to ensure the practice facilities, outfield, pitches, covering and uncovering of the ground, and related services were in place and in time to conduct the tournament successfully, despite the bad weather conditions that prevailed during that time.

Curators, turf supervisors, ground staff, and technical staff are among the recipients of the reward payment.

The rewards were granted to the RPICS ground staff by the National Curator, Mr. Godfrey Dabrera, this morning.

The rewards were awarded jointly by the Asian Cricket Council and Sri Lanka Cricket, with each institution contributing US$25,000.

News

Man killed after hospital wall collapses

Published

5 hours ago

December 6, 2023

editor

A father of one lost his life after he was crushed under a wall that collapsed at the Henwala Divisional Hospital in Kadugannawa.

The wall had collapsed when workers were preparing the foundation to construct a new wall, says Mr. Indika Ranaweera, Assistant Director of the Kandy District Disaster Management Centre.

The man who was crushed to death has been identified as a 32-year-old named Ranjith Abeyratne who is a father of one.
The remains were moved to the Henawala Hospital in Kadugannawa, and the Kadugannawa Police are investigating the incident.

News

Earthslip blocks upcountry railway tracks again

Published

5 hours ago

December 6, 2023

editor

Train operations on the upcountry line have been disrupted due to an earthslip which occurred around 4.00pm today (Dec. 06) between Ohiya and Idalgashinna railway stations, amidst the heavy rains in the area.

Sri Lanka Railways said that trains plying to Badulla will be terminated at Ohiya railway stations until the tracks are cleared.