News
SC grants leave to proceed with FR petition for allegedly being threatened by State Minister Lohan Ratwatte
By Chitra Weerarathne
The Supreme Court yesterday granted leave to proceed with the fundamental rights violation petition filed by eight prisoners of the Anuradhapura Prison, who had been allegedly threatened by State Minister Lohan Ratwatte.
Leave was granted on the alleged violation under Articles 11, 12(1), and 12(2) of the Constitution, which ensure freedom from inhuman degrading treatment, equality for everyone and freedom from discrimination.
The third respondent, the Commissioner General of Prisons, was directed to transfer these petitioner prisoners to other prisons with their consent.
The Inspector General of Police was directed to investigate the issue with the advice of the Attorney General.
The petitioners have complained that on 12 September, Lohan Ratwatte, the State Minister in charge of the Prisons, visited the prisons, and threatened them at gunpoint.
Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran PC, who appeared for the Prisoners, told the Court that the Justice Minister Ali Sabry PC had conceded in Parliament that the prisoners had been unfairly treated by Ratwatte. Ali Sabry the Minister of Justice had apologised to the prisoners and their families, he said.
President’s Counsel Sumanthiran appeared with K. Sujanthan, Dr. T. Jayasingham and Miss. D. Muscaran for the petitioners.
The Deputy Solicitor General Rajiv Gunetillake appeared for the Attorney General.
He said that the state had no objection to the transferring of the petitioner other than the Jaffna Prison.
The bench comprised Justice Gamini Amarasekera, Justice Yasantha Kodagoda and Justice Janak de Silva.
The case will be next heard on 15th February 2022.
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
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