News
Warning over public comments: Explanation sought from police
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Human Rights Commission has asked police headquarters not to interfere with people’s freedom of expression.
HRC Chairperson retired Supreme Court Justice Rohini Marasinghe has sought an explanation from Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa as regards a recent warning issued by him.
A senior spokesperson for the HRC yesterday (11) told The Island that justice Marasinghe called Attorney-at-Law Thalduwa regarding a statement attributed to him in the media.
Following a recent incident reported from Mirihana, where some people allegedly said something demeaning about President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, SSP Thalduwa warned that legal action would be taken against those who defamed the President via social media platforms or other media.
The HRC spokesperson said that SSP assured justice Marasinghe that the media had misinterpreted his statement. “We received an assurance from the Police Spokesperson that he would furnish an affidavit soon stating their stand. SSP Thalduwa denied issuing a warning to the public over the Mirihana incident.”
The HRC intervened after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had recorded a statement from a woman Asha Dilrukshi Perera who had shared a Facebook post. She later told the media: “They (the CID) told me that the post could pose a threat to the President’s life. It was not a post created by me. It was just one I had shared about somebody hooting at the President. They asked whether I had shared it responsibly. They copied everything on my phone and kept my phone with them for about two hours.”
HRC spokesperson explained that the police shouldn’t hastily issue statements. Over the past several weeks, politicians had commented on various incidents where politicians were hooted at, the official said. Therefore, the police appeared to have intervened to rein in social media users, the official said.
The official noted that the ongoing shortage of essential items and runaway cost of living resulted in an explosion of social media posts.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake departed for Vietnam.
The visit is taking place at the invitation of the President of Vietnam from May 4 to 6, 2025.
During the visit, President Disanayake is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with both the President and the Prime Minister of Vietnam. He will also meet with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and other senior officials.
On May 6, the President will attend the official opening ceremony of the United Nations Vesak Day celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City as the Chief guest and will also deliver the keynote address.
In addition, the visit is expected to include the signing of several bilateral agreements and engagement with the Vietnamese business community to further enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with a delegation of senior government officials, is accompanying the President on this important visit.
[PMD]
Latest News
The Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 03 May 2025, valid for 04 May 2025.
The public re warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) sources said that plans were afoot to file charges in connection with 15 major fraud and corruption cases in the near future.
The Commission sources said that these cases stem from thorough investigations into complaints that had previously gone unexamined, with recent file reviews prompting the decision to proceed with legal action. The forthcoming charges are based on detailed inquiries that uncovered substantial evidence pointing to serious misconduct.
To date, CIABOC has initiated inquiries into over 300 complaints received during the recent period, reflecting an expanded commitment to tackling corruption at multiple levels of governance.
Commission sources said that several former ministers and political affiliates from past administrations are among those implicated in the ongoing investigations, though specific names have yet to be disclosed.
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