Author: TELO Admin

A traffic policeman attached to the Eravur Police has been interdicted over assault of two youths in Eravur after a video went viral on social media.

A video footage shared by Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam shows a traffic cop assaulting two youths travelling on a motorcycle in Eravur.

“Police Brutality continues in Batticaloa and will fall on the deaf ears of Minister Sarath Weerasekara,” the MP tweeted.

Responding to the MP Rasamanickam, the Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said the officer involved in the incident had been interdicted.

The minister informed the MP that the incident took place when the traffic police officer was inquiring about a road accident.

The officer was measuring an accident on the road using tape and two youths travelling on a motorcycle had gone past at speed dragging the tape for nearly 500 yards without stopping.

The police officer then pursued the youths on his motorcycle and had caught them before the assault had taken place.

Minister Weerasekara said the Police officer had no right to assault the youths and therefore he will be charged.

Sri Lanka Friday reported 12 deaths due to COVID-19 after the figures were confirmed by the Director General of Health Services on Thursday, October 21.

Among the deaths reported today, 07 are of males and 05 of females. The majority of deaths – 08 – are of elderly people in the 60 years and above age group.

According to the data reported by the Government Information Department, the total deaths due to Covid-19 since the pandemic began last year has now risen to 13,574.

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted the approval to obtain a loan of USD 3.6 billion from Oman to purchase petroleum, says Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila.

Delivering a statement issued today (October 22), the minister stated that preparations for agreements are currently underway.

Additionally, a loan facility of USD 500 million is expected to be obtained from India and it has been submitted for the Treasury’s approval, Minister Gammanpila said further.

Speaking further, he said the Central Bank governor has promised to release necessary funds to import fuel required for this month.

The energy minister assured that there will be no fuel shortage in the country.

The US needs to build constructive relationships with Sri Lanka, which is positioned in a strategic location at the heart of the Indian Ocean, a senior American diplomat nominated by President Joe Biden as his next envoy to the island nation has said.

Foreign service officer Julie Chung, during a Congressional hearing on Wednesday, told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Sri Lanka is positioned in a strategic location at the heart of the Indian Ocean and its critical ports with access to global maritime lanes and trading routes play a pivotal role in a free and open Indo-Pacific architecture.

“This reinforces the necessity for the United States to build constructive relationships with Sri Lanka, including with civil society, the private sector and the Sri Lankan people,” she said.

Chung told lawmakers that if confirmed, she will work tirelessly to advocate for quality infrastructure and investment based on transparency, respect for international law and good governance, which is mindful of sustainable environmental and labour standards.

“We must also support US companies doing business in Sri Lanka and utilise the tools we have with the Development Finance Corporation and the Export-Import Bank to provide alternatives to coercive lending and opaque contracts,” she said, without naming any country.

US diplomat Chung said: “the sinking of the MV X-Press Pearl cargo ship near the shores of Colombo a few months ago, causing its biggest marine disaster in Sri Lanka’s history, points to the need for upholding such standards”.

“US humanitarian assistance, emergency response capabilities and environmental surveillance tools helped Sri Lanka respond to this tragedy and is emblematic of how we can be a positive force and strong partner to the people of Sri Lanka,” she said.

Sri Lanka, she said, is Asia’s oldest democracy and survived the tragedy of a civil war that resulted in unimaginable violence and continued ethnic and religious divisions.

“If confirmed, I am committed to speaking clearly and consistently in support of democratic values, human rights and a strong civil society that are essential to democracies and central to our foreign policy approach.

“We must also be strong partners in encouraging justice, accountability and reconciliation so that all Sri Lankans can share in the benefits of peace, security and prosperity,” Chung added.

Source: PTI