News
Rape of teenager: SJB alleges bid to suppress probe as nine suspects get bail
Govt. insists inquiry on track, urges Opposition not to propagate lies
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Samagi Jana Balavegaya MP Rohini Kaviratne says an attempt is being made to suppress the ongoing investigations into the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl.
The government had interfered in the inquiry following the arrest of an influential monk in connection with the high profile inquiry, the Matale District MP alleged.
“We are closely watching the situation,” MP Kaviratne said, adding that she intended to raise the issue at the next meeting of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus. “We’ll issue a strong statement on the plight of the teenager forced into prostitution and the failure on the part of those responsible to protect women and children,” MP Kaviratne said.
Answering another query, the former UNP MP urged the government to ensure an impartial and a speedy inquiry into the entire sordid case.
Referring to recent reports of law enforcement personnel sexually abusing women in police stations, MP Kavirtane said that among those who had been arrested over the rape of the teenager was a policeman. Media reports of she having had hundreds of clients in relatively a short period should prompt a thorough investigation, MP Kaviratne said, pointing out that the sex racket had taken place amidst all sorts of travel restrictions imposed in view of the raging Covid-19 epidemic.
The Island raised the issue at hand with Chairperson of Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus State Minister Sudarshini Fernandopulle, who assured they would certainly take up the matter.
Lawmaker Kaviratne said that the SJB would take up the issue both in and outside Parliament. “We’ll not keep quiet if those in authority intervene on behalf of the suspects,” she said.
The MP pointed out that the Deputy Chairman of the Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha E.M.L. Edirisinge of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) had been among those arrested; he was granted bail. She noted that the local government politician was not the only person who had received bail.
Responding to the SJB’s accusations, Public Security Minister Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera yesterday (12) told The Island there was absolutely no basis for criticism. He asked the Opposition to reveal who on behalf of the government or his Ministry interfered in the inquiry.
Referring to the arrest of a Navy cardiologist holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander, one-time Navy Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Weerasekera said that the police were conducting investigations. Minister Weerasekera urged the SJB not to play opportunistic politics with the issue at hand as it did with every other incident. He said the Children and Women Bureau conducted the investigation with the support of the CID.
Former IGP Chandra Fernando, speaking to The Island in his new capacity as the Chairman of the National Police Commission (NPC), emphasised that his outfit had not so far received complaints as regards shortcomings on the part of the police investigations or interventions to derail the probe. Fernando said that he had received a note from the National Child Protection Authority in that regard. The NPC could inquire into the status of the investigation, he said.
Director, Police Media, SSP Nihal Talduwa told The Island that the initial breakthrough had been made by HQI, Mount Lavinia Dileepa Perera following a tip-off received from the public. The police searched a place at Station Road where they found the girl with her brother and the two sons of her mother’s paramour. The 35-year-old man had advertised her online over the past several months without attracting the attention of regulatory authorities, SSP Talduwa said.
Among those who had been arrested so far in connection with the ongoing investigation are the girl’s mother and her paramour.
The Island raised the contentious issue of some of those who had been arrested in connection with the rape of a minor being granted bail before the completion of investigations, with Justice Ministry advisor and former President of the Sri Lanka Bar Association U.R. de Silva, PC. According to him, the Colombo Additional Magistrate Roshani Abeywickrema on July 9 had granted bail to four persons the Vice Chairman of the Mihintale Pradeshiya Saba, the Navy cardiologist and two leading businessmen after they were produced at identification parades. They were released on Rs. 25,000 cash bail and two sureties of Rs. 2.5 million each. The former BASL President emphasized that once suspects appeared before identification parades, they could be released. “There cannot be any issue over that,” De Silva said. Earlier, the court granted bail to the girl’s mother.
The Police Children and Women’s Bureau Director declined to comment on the investigation. Asked whether at least she could shed light on some of those arrested receiving bail under controversial circumstances, she said that the media should contact Senior DIG Ajith Rohana.
Senior DIG Rohana said altogether nine persons had so far been granted bail. Granting bail was the prerogative of courts, he added.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
