News
Cardinal appeals Catholics to raise black flags on Aug.21
Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith requested all Catholics in the archdiocese and others to raise black flags on August 21 in protest against the failure to mete out justice to Easter Sunday victims by the authorities.
Cardinal Ranjith also called for the displaying black flags on vehicles, and shops. “I would also call upon for closure of shops on August 21 as well,” Cardinal said.
The Archbishop added that he had decided to reject the letter sent to him by Director General Legal Affairs Presidential Secratraiet Hariguptha Rohanadeera as a reply to the letter dispatched to the President by a group of bishops and clergy including himself.
“The letter which was sent to me had no relevance as it had failed to come up with answers to the questions we had raised,” he said. “We feel that political deals have been hatched to avoid penalising the political leaders who have been held responsible for the negligence by the presidential commission,” he added.
The Diving and Salvage Unit of the Sri Lanka Navy often renders its assistance to search for persons who go missing in water bodies and recover the bodies of drowned persons. In the past year (from 22nd May 2022 to 22nd May 2023) the Sri Lanka Navy has recovered 148 corpses from watery graves.
Suicide attempts, misfortunes during fishing, bathing in water bodies under the influence of liquor, engaging in waterborne sports without swimming skill, bathing in unknown water bodies and stepping into crocodile-infested waters have been identified as some of the main reasons for the deaths.
Among the 148 corpses recovered by the Navy in the past year, there were 19 incidents of suicide, 18 cases of misfortune during fishing, and 111 incidents due to the carelessness of people.
By being cautious during daily tasks and fishing activities, it is possible to reduce the number of deaths caused by drowning in water bodies. Thus, the Sri Lanka Navy is urging the general public to be mindful and take necessary precautions in order to decrease the occurrence of drowning incidents.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the combined proposal presented by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms and the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism in Sri Lanka taking into account the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa.
News
Draft report on the inquiry into the destruction of North-Eastern archaeological sites and interference with conservation activities handed over to the Prime Minister
The Union of Organizations for the Protection of National Heritage handed over the draft of the investigation commission report on the inquiry into destruction of northern and eastern archaeological sites and interference with conservation activities to Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena recently.
Ven Dr Maduruoye Dhammissara Thero, Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara, Senior Advocate Kalyananda Thiranagama and others participated in this event on behalf of the Union of Organizations for the Protection of National Heritage.
Navy divers retrieve 148 from watery graves within a year
Establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Draft report on the inquiry into the destruction of North-Eastern archaeological sites and interference with conservation activities handed over to the Prime Minister
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