News
Father of two arrested over killing of Fatima Ayesha after allegedly confessing to police
By Norman Palihawadane
The Bandaragama police yesterday arrested a 29-year-old father of two, who, under interrogation, had allegedly confessed to the killing of nine-year-old Fatima Ayesha of Atalugama.
The suspect had been a neighbour of the victim for years, police said.
The suspect allegedly divulged that, on Friday, while he was on his way home, he had met Fatima and spoken to her. She was returning home from the nearby chicken shop and was willing to walk home with him. He waylaid the child and took her into a nearby shrub to abuse her. He failed to do so and fearing the child would inform the adults of the incident he dumped Fatima in a marshland and forced her head in the mud, the suspect has allegedly told the police.
The suspect has two children who used to play with Fatima, the police said, adding that further investigations were in progress.
The suspect would be produced in court. According to the postmortem report the victim was not sexually abused.
The body of Fatima, who was reported missing since Friday morning, was found in a marsh located close to her home on Saturday evening (28).
The Bandaragama Police, the Crimes Investigation Division of Panadura Police and the CID launched joint probes over the disappearance of the girl while four police teams were deployed to search for her whereabouts.
The victim reportedly left her home to go to a nearby shop on Friday morning to buy chicken and had not returned home.
Following a complaint lodged by the girl’s parents with the police, a search operation was launched and CCTV footage was found showing the girl entering and leaving the shop.
The body of the girl was found by the residents of the area on Saturday evening (28) in a jungle swamp near the girl’s house.
The IGP ordered to hand over the investigations into the death of the girl to the Homicide and Organized Crime Investigation Division of the CID.
The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has launched a special investigation into the killing.
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
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