News Room : PM Harini: We Have Failed as a Society — Urgent Reforms After Schoolgirl’s Suicide
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya says the recent suicide of a 13-year-old schoolgirl following alleged abuse by a teacher is a stark reminder that “we, as a society, have failed.” Speaking in Parliament today (9 May), she called the incident “extremely sensitive” and urged that such tragedies must not be politicised. “These are not things parents can easily bear. We must...
News Room : IPL Suspended Indefinitely as India–Pakistan Tensions Intensify
The Indian Premier League (IPL) was on Friday (9) suspended indefinitely due to the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. A cloud of uncertainty had loomed over the future of the ongoing edition since the cancellation of Thursday’s match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala midway following air raid alerts in neighbouring cities of Jammu and Pathankot. “It does...
News Room : Outrage Grows Over Minister Paulraj’s Response to Student’s Suicide Following Alleged Sexual Abuse by Teacher
Serious criticism has emerged regarding a statement made by Minister of Women, Child Affairs, and Social Empowerment, Saroja Paulraj, in connection with the suicide of a schoolgirl from Grade 10 of the Ramanathan Hindu Ladies’ College in Bambalapitiya, Colombo. The child had reportedly taken her own life following severe mental trauma caused by sexual abuse allegedly committed by a...
News Room : UPDATE: Six Military Personnel Killed in SLAF Helicopter Crash at Maduru Oya
Six of the 12 individuals onboard a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Bell 212 helicopter that crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir have died after being admitted to hospital in critical condition. The SLAF confirmed that all six fatalities are members of the armed forces. Among the deceased are three Special Forces personnel and two SLAF helicopter gunmen. The remaining seven...
News Room : BASL raises concerns over violent death of person remanded for contempt of court
The BAR Association (BASL) has raised concerns over the death of an individual at the Angunukolapelessa Prison recently.BASL has said in a media statement that the suspect had been remanded on contempt of court charges following an incident at the Embilipitiya Court, where he had presented himself as a surety for a friend. Expressing concern over the suspect’s demise within...
News Room : Shame! Ragging raises its cowardly head again
Ragging at Sabaragamuwa university has resulted in the loss of another student’s life and there is another incident of barbaric attack on an anti-rag student of J’pura university by some students from the same university. Whether the bullies are backed by political parties or not, they show their undeveloped and conformist minds that need urgent refinement; if they are...
News Room : MP Ramanathan Archchuna Removed from Parliament Chamber for Unruly Behaviour
Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna was removed from the Parliament Chamber today on the instructions of the Chair, following repeated disruptions during a parliamentary debate. The Chair issued multiple warnings to Archchuna after he repeatedly interrupted Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake’s closing remarks. Despite the warnings, the MP continued to behave disruptively and created a disturbance in the Chamber. After several...
News Room : India, Pakistan exchange fire after Kashmir attack; tensions escalate
India conducted airstrikes on targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir early on May 7, in retaliation for a recent terrorist attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir that killed 26 people, including a Nepali national. The operation, named “Operation Sindoor,” targeted nine sites identified by India as militant infrastructure linked to groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Pakistan reported that the Indian strikes resulted...
News Room : Supreme Court Dismisses Champika’s Petition Against Hit-and-Run Indictment
The Supreme Court has dismissed the petition filed by former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, who sought to quash the indictment filed by the Attorney General against him and two others. The indictment relates to the alleged concealment and fabrication of evidence in connection with a 2016 hit-and-run incident in Rajagiriya. The case involves a vehicle carrying the former minister that...
News Room : Justice Minister Seeks JSC Review After Courtroom Phone Ringing Incident Leads to Custodial Death
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara informed Parliament that he has sought the intervention of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) following the death of a man who was remanded for two weeks after his mobile phone rang inside a courtroom. Responding to a question raised in Parliament, the Minister said he had taken steps to bring the matter to the attention of...