News

BMICH denies social media allegations about poisoning stray dogs as totally untrue

Published

5 years ago

2021/08/18

The Management of the BMICH yesterday said in a statement that there was a sinister smear media campaign accusing it of poisoning and killing the stray dogs found on its grounds.

The statement signed by CEO of the BMICH, Sunil Dissanayake said: The Management of the BMICH refutes the false claims presently circulating on social media that we are eradicating stray dogs roaming on our premises, by poisoning and killing them. These claims are completely untrue. We give below the true facts.

Large numbers of stray dogs find their way into the BMICH premises and cause many problems to our customers, visitors and staff. Our customers were attacked by these dogs on four or five occasions.

These dogs attacked a staff member about two months ago who had to be administered rabies injections and medical care.

We have received numerous complaints by parents of students who attend various classes held in our buildings. They state that they feel extremely unsafe with the large packs of stray dogs on our premises.

Before the dogs began to attack our customers and staff, we undertook a joint programme with EMBARK to vaccinate and sterilize the dogs found in our compound, as well as take away the puppies.

This was carried out as we did not wish to drive out the stray dogs and thought that we could allow them to remain on our premises, while making it safe for our customers

However, an increasing number of dogs began to appear on our premises. Under these circumstances we had no other choice but to have them relocated out of the BMICH premises.

We are aware that this smear campaign is being carried out by a few persons, who go around Colombo feeding stray dogs, who have barged into the BMICH premises, many times, purportedly to feed the stray dogs. The BMICH Police Unit informed them that they had entered in an unauthorized manner without permission, were trespassing on our premises and we’re not adhering to health regulations such as wearing masks. They were warned and sent away.

These persons have clearly used photos taken elsewhere, for their lying and irresponsible smear campaign

The BMICH follows strict regulations during the pandemic, including not permitting any unauthorised persons to enter our premises.

However, we inform those who forcibly enter our premises to feed the stray dogs therein, if they are true dog-lovers, to take away these dogs for adoption, in the same way that EMBARK has been doing, to the best of their ability.

While appreciating the importance of animal life and protecting them, the main responsibility of our Management is the safety and security of our customers and staff.

The BMICH is an iconic landmark of Sri Lanka and as the Management of this esteemed institution it is our responsibility to ensure the safety, security and satisfaction of all who enter our premises.

We strongly request the persons carrying out this smear campaign to be more responsible and civic conscious, not only towards stray dogs but also to our citizens.

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News

Sun directly overhead Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon today (07)

Published

9 hours ago

2026/09/7

Priyan

The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.

The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (07) are Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon.

News

‘Choka Malli’ slips out of country before travel ban

Published

12 hours ago

2026/09/7

Thilina Walpola

Premalal

By Norman Palihawadane

The CID recently found that former SLPP Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara, better known as ‘Choka Malli’, had left for Thailand when the Supreme Court imposed an overseas travel ban on him last Friday.

The CID discovered that Jayasekara had left Sri Lanka on August 31, while authorities were taking steps to enforce the travel restriction imposed by the Supreme Court. The Department has subsequently informed the Attorney General’s Department of the development.

The Supreme Court last Friday ordered Jayasekara, and two other men, to appear before court on October 21, and imposed a ban on their overseas travel.

The orders were made as the Supreme Court considered an appeal challenging the acquittal of the three men in connection with the 2015 murder of Shantha Dodangoda, also known as D.G. Sunil Perera.

The appeal was filed by Dodangoda’s wife against a decision of the Court of Appeal to acquit and release Jayasekara and the two other accused, who had previously been convicted and sentenced to death by the Ratnapura High Court.

Dodangoda was killed in a shooting in Kahawatta town, in the early hours of January 5, 2015, while a group of people were putting up decorations for an election rally in support of then common Opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

Two others, Karunadasa Weerasinghe and Mohamed Ilfan, were seriously injured in the shooting.

Following the incident, the Ratnapura High Court convicted Jayasekara, former Chairman of the Kahawatta Pradeshiya Sabha Wajira Darshana de Silva, and former Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council member Nilanta Jayakody, sentencing all three to death.

The Court of Appeal subsequently acquitted the three men and ordered their release.

The victim’s wife later challenged the acquittal before the Supreme Court.

The appeal was taken up before a Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Gihan Kulatunga.

During the proceedings, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara requested that the court impose overseas travel restrictions on Jayasekara and the other respondents.

The Supreme Court subsequently ordered all three to appear before the court on October 21 and imposed travel bans on them.

President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, President’s Counsel U.R. de Silva and President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne appeared for the respondents. President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris represented the aggrieved party.

Police sources said that the discovery that Jayasekara had already left for Thailand, on August 31, has raised concerns over the timing and enforcement of the travel ban.

Sources said that the CID had notified the Attorney General’s Department and was taking further action in relation to the development.

News

Dengue death toll rises to 73

Published

12 hours ago

2026/09/7

Thilina Walpola

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon

The number of deaths from dengue fever in Sri Lanka has risen to 73 this year, with 96,228 cases reported across the country so far, according to the Dengue Control Unit.

The latest figures indicate that dengue continues to pose a significant public health concern, with 737 new cases recorded during the first four days of September alone.

Dengue infections peaked in July, when 29,964 cases were reported, according to the latest data. June recorded the second-highest monthly total, with 21,533 cases, while 10,155 cases were reported in August.

Earlier in the year, 8,590 cases were recorded in May and 7,866 cases in January.The Western Province remains the worst-affected area, accounting for more than half of all dengue cases reported nationwide. A total of 50,851 cases have been recorded in the province, representing 52.84% of the country’s total.

The Southern Province has recorded 13,950 cases, followed by the Central Province with 8,818 cases and Sabaragamuwa Province with 7,925 cases.