March 17, Colombo (LNW): The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has issued directives to Royal College, Colombo 7, concerning reported irregularities in the appointments to the Prefects Council for the year 2024.

This action follows seven complaints lodged by students of Royal College who alleged violations of their rights in the appointment process for prefects in 2024.

The complaints were directed against the Principal of Royal College, the Director of National Schools, and the Minister of Education.

Copies of these complaints were also forwarded to the Secretary of the Education Ministry, the Minister of Education, and the Presidential Investigation Commission.

Under the leadership of Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya, the HRCSL conducted an inquiry into the initial complaints on Friday, March 15. During the inquiry, the appointment criteria for two randomly selected prefects and two rejected candidates were examined.

The commission identified irregularities and failures to adhere to the required criteria in the appointment of two prefects, while it was found that two qualified candidates were denied their positions.

Following the initial inquiry, the HRCSL directed the representative of the school, present during the proceedings, to rectify the alleged wrongful appointments and reach a resolution with the group of students who filed the complaints.

However, if the school fails to address the issue satisfactorily, the HRCSL indicated that a full inquiry would be conducted, with the involvement of all relevant parties, including the principal.

The continuation of the inquiry has been postponed to March 20.

The complaints submitted to the HRCSL by seven students highlighted the established criteria for the selection of members to the Prefects Council, which include academic excellence, participation in extracurricular activities, involvement in clubs and societies, and attendance records.

The complainants alleged that the recent appointments did not adhere to these criteria and that individuals who had allegedly brought disrepute to the college were appointed as prefects.

March 17, Colombo (LNW): A meeting was convened at the Presidential Secretariat on Friday (15), chaired by Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, Sagala Ratnayaka, to discuss the launch of a new mobile application titled “Beach Clean-up Coordination App.”

The aim of this application is to enhance cleanliness and waste management on beaches.

The initiative to introduce this mobile application has been facilitated through the intervention of the Coastal Conservation Protection Authority.

Its primary objective is to formalise coordination among institutions and organisations engaged in the sustainable development of coastal and marine environments.

Ratnayaka underscored the importance of commitment from all responsible institutions in ensuring the sustainability of ocean and coastal areas by maintaining cleanliness.

He emphasised that the new mobile application would serve as an effective tool to facilitate these activities.

Furthermore, Ratnayaka stressed the necessity of expanding current education and awareness programs concerning coastal cleanliness and preservation.

He noted that such efforts would significantly contribute to the government’s initiative to promote tourism in coastal regions.

The Coastal Conservation and Protection Authority highlighted the severe pollution of coastal and marine resources caused by waste flowing from rivers and canals, sewage discharge, and waste dumped near fishing ports and other marine areas.

They emphasised the importance of clean-up efforts involving public and private institutions, as well as non-governmental organisations.

The introduction of the mobile application is expected to enhance the coordination of these activities for more effective waste management.

Among those present at the discussion were Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Prabhath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, W.S. Satyananda, along with other government officials, the Navy Commander, Inspector General of Police, Heads of Security Division, and representatives of non-governmental organisations.

March 17, Colombo (LNW): New Pakistani High Commissioner, Major General (Retd.) Faheem Ul Aziz, met with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Temple Trees on Friday (15).

During the meeting, the High Commissioner expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Gunawardena for extending felicitations and best wishes to the newly-elected President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

In response, Prime Minister Gunawardena thanked Pakistan for its consistent support of Sri Lanka at international forums and for providing training facilities to members of the Sri Lankan armed forces.

Discussions revolved around the potential expansion of bilateral ties, particularly in economic sectors, investments, tourism, and industries.

High Commissioner Aziz highlighted the potential for increased Buddhist pilgrimages to Pakistan, noting the presence of established infrastructure facilities in pilgrimage sites such as Thakshila and the Gandhara region.

The meeting was attended by MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Prime Minister’s Secretary Anura Dissanayake, and Deputy High Commissioner Wajid Hassan Hashmi.

March 17, Colombo (LNW): Mainly dry weather will prevail over the island, with misty conditions being expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Kalutara districts during the morning, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (17).

Marine Weather:

Meanwhile, heat index, the temperature felt on human body is expected to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in North-western, North-central, Eastern and Western provinces and in Monaragala, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Hambantota districts.

The public is urged to stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible, check up on the elderly and the sick, never leave children unattended, limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated, and wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

March 16, Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court brought the hearing to a close on Friday regarding petitions seeking to invalidate the recommendations and findings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) established by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to probe alleged instances of political victimization.

While the hearing concluded, the Supreme Court opted to withhold its decision for the time being.

The petitions were lodged by President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, former Navy Commander Travis Sinniah, former High Court Judge Padmini Ranawaka, among others.

March 16, Colombo (LNW):State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, has announced the formation of a committee tasked with investigating the feasibility of transferring surplus land owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantations Corporation to the private sector.

According to Siyambalapitiya, the committee will assess which lands are suitable for transfer and develop the appropriate procedures for such transactions. Emphasizing a competitive process, he stated that prospective parties must focus on export-oriented agricultural production and utilize advanced agricultural technologies.

Furthermore, Siyambalapitiya highlighted the necessity for interested companies to possess the financial resources to meet these requirements and stressed that they must be of Sri Lankan origin.

The committee’s current focus lies in identifying underutilized lands within the State Plantations Corporation’s portfolio. Siyambalapitiya clarified that the proposed initiative would not involve the outright sale of land but rather leasing arrangements with the private sector.

March 16, Colombo (LNW): In a significant development, 18 senior police officers, including Senior Deputy Generals of Police (SDIGs), have been swiftly transferred, following directives from Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon. The transfers, enacted under the auspices of the National Police Commission, aim to implement strategic personnel changes within the law enforcement hierarchy.

The reshuffle encompasses a diverse array of positions, with 8 SDIGs, one Deputy General of Police (DIG), 8 Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), and one Superintendent of Police (SP) affected by the realignment.

Of notable mention is the reassignment of SSP E.M.M.S. Dehideniya, formerly serving as the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Mount Lavinia Police Division, who has been redirected to assume the role of Director at the prestigious Criminal Investigation Department (CID), signaling a pivotal shift in investigative leadership.

March 16, Colombo (LNW): The essence of progress lies in understanding humanity through a scientific lens. Presently, the enlightened global community is dismantling the fallacy of categorizing individuals based on race, religion, and caste. Notably, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stands as a beacon of rationality, leveraging scientific methodologies to transcend societal myths.

The IOC has embarked on a mission to bridge the gender gap by fostering equal opportunities for women and men. Consequently, the representation of both genders in the upcoming Paris Olympics has been meticulously balanced at a 50/50 ratio.

Reflecting on the journey since the inception of the modern Olympics in 1900, where female participation stood at a mere 2.2%, underscores the monumental strides made over 124 years. This transformative period epitomizes the relentless toil, unwavering dedication, and enduring patience required to dispel entrenched illusions, erroneous judgments, and biased decisions.

Over the decades, the Olympic landscape has evolved, witnessing the introduction of new events and the phasing out of others. Notably, the 1924 Paris Olympics marked a significant milestone with 135 female athletes competing—a stark contrast to the limited participation observed in the tournament’s nascent years.

The gradual inclusion of women in various athletic disciplines illustrates a progressive trajectory. Notably, it wasn’t until 1984 that the women’s marathon debuted, symbolizing a breakthrough moment epitomized by Joan Benoit’s historic victory.

Subsequent years witnessed the expansion of women’s participation, with the 2020 Olympics featuring five new sports open to female athletes—BMX cycling, karate, skateboarding, surfing, and sports climbing. This trend continues in the present year, with additional sports opening their doors to women, marking a significant milestone in achieving gender parity across 32 sporting disciplines.

The evolution from a mere 2.2% representation of women to an equitable 50% distribution exemplifies not only the advancement of sports but also the intellectual maturity of athletes. Embracing unity and equality over division, particularly within the realm of sports, serves as a testament to societal progress and human enlightenment.