News
Mother of girl who died at Bathiudeen’s residence lodges complaint with HRC
Rajamanikkam Ranjani, the mother of J. Ilashini, the 16 -year-old girl died while working at SJB MP Rishad Bathuideen’s residence, told the media that she had been compelled to send her daughter to the MP’s house because she had no way of paying back family debt.
Ranjani said her daughter had started working at the MP’s house at the age of 15.
“My daughter called me several times and said that she was being subjected to torture and that she could not stay there. Her death is suspicious,” Ranjani said.
The girl, who was a resident at Dayagama, in Hatton, was sent to the SJB MP’s house in November 2020.
The victim’s family yesterday came to the Human Rights Commission office, in Kandy, and lodged the complaint.
“There are five girls and a boy in our family. Ilashini was the third. They said they would pay her Rs. 25,000 a month but only Rs. 20,000 was given,” she said.
Ranjani added her husband had lost his job in 2020 and they got into debt.
“We borrowed Rs. 30,000 from a broker who took Ilashini to Bathiudeen’s house. Ilashini agreed to go so that we could settle our debt. Lenders used to visit our place almost daily, demanding money.”
Ilashini set herself on fire while working at the MP’s house recently and it has been revealed that she had been sexually abused.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Latest News
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
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