News
Expensive mobile phone found near Ranjan’s cell

by Norman Palihawadane
A smartphone, found buried near the Special Section ‘Y’, where MP Ranjan Ramanayake and several other inmates are held in the Angunakolapelessa Prison, is worth over Rs 500,000, says Prisons Reforms State Minister Lohan Ratwatte.
Minister Ratwatte told The Island yesterday that the find was a confirmation of the suspicion that prison officers had taken bribes from the contacts of inmates to smuggle phones into the jail.
The phone was recovered following a tip-off received by the Prison Intelligence Unit
The mobile phone with no IMEI number mentioned on it had been found buried between the section ‘Y’ and the parapet wall around 11.40 a.m. during a raid, the minister said. “A Samsung J2 mobile phone was found buried between the Y ward and the prison wall. Some prison officers are believed to have helped smuggle in mobile phones for a fee from the contacts of inmates. Thereafter, we fixed CCTV cameras in the area. There is information that the prison officers are taking money to help inmates to get mobile phones at Mahara, Kalutara, Boossa, Nogembo and Welikada prisons. This racket will be brought to an end soon.”
Further investigations were being carried out and the mobile phone had been handed over to the CID for inquiries, the minister said.
News
I will not tolerate any breach of law and order in the country during my tenure – President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing Tri Forces, Police officers and other rankers at the Air Force Base Anuradhapura stated that during his presidency, no one will be allowed to breach the law and order of the country. He emphasized that he will prioritize doing what is right over doing what is popular, and that presenting popular ideas can lead to the destruction of the country.
He asserted that no one is entitled to engage in violent protests on the streets, but all political parties have the right to express their opinions or criticize him in a peaceful manner.
News
Two students dead seven injured during big match vehicle parade in Badulla

Two students died and seven others were injured when the vehicle they were traveling toppled in Badulla today (01)
The students were participating in a vehicle parade held as part of the revelries for the 74th Battle of Uva between Uva Badulla Maha Vidyalaya and Dharmadutha Maha Vidyalaya which commenced at the Badulla Cricket Stadium on Friday (31)
The Regional Director of Education Badulla on hearing of the unfortunate incident had ordered the match to be called off.
The Badulla Police are conducting investigations.
News
‘Better Policy Making Through Evaluations’ held in Colombo

‘Better Policy Making Through Evaluations’ the first on-site international training on evaluation for Parliamentarians and Parliament research staff in the Asia Pacific region was held in Colombo from the 27th to the 30th of March 2023.
On the final day of the training programme fifty (50) Parliamentarians and Parliament research staff from around 20 countries across Asia Pacific visited the Parliament of Sri Lanka for an exchange session and dialogue on the importance of evidence-based policy making through evaluations.
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