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38 children living in prisons with their mothers during the first eight months of 2025 – Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya revealed that 38 women have been incarcerated with their children during the first eight months of 2025.

Responding to a question raised in Parliament today (08), the Prime Minister stated that a total of 38 children currently reside in prisons alongside their mothers — 15 boys and 23 girls.

She further noted that childcare centres have been established within women’s prison facilities to provide care for children under the age of five who are detained with their mothers. These centres are located separately from the general inmate population, allowing the children to spend meaningful time with their mothers in a safe and supportive environment.

Commenting on the welfare of these children, the Prime Minister said that, in addition to the standard meals provided to inmates, infants and young children are supplied with milk powder and light daily meals through the prison canteen system to ensure proper nutrition.

Addressing the matter of early childhood education for these children, Dr. Amarasuriya highlighted that a private organisation has been supporting the operation of an Early Childhood Development Centre within the prison system for nearly a decade, providing educational opportunities for the children living there.

A special island-wide police operation carried out yesterday (06) led to the arrest of 719 individuals suspected of involvement in various criminal, narcotics, and illicit liquor-related activities, the Police Media Division reported.

During the extensive crackdown, 28,476 individuals were inspected across the country. Among those detained, 13 suspects were identified as being directly connected to serious criminal networks, while 409 others were apprehended over outstanding arrest warrants.

Traffic law enforcement was also a key focus, with 19 drunk drivers and 20 reckless motorists taken into custody. In addition, 3,483 individuals were charged with various other traffic violations.

Police emphasized that such nationwide operations are part of an ongoing effort to dismantle organized crime, curb drug trafficking at all levels, and recover illegal firearms from criminal elements across the island.

Commuters in Sri Lanka will soon be able to pay their bus fares using bank-issued credit and debit cards, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake announced in Parliament today (08).

According to the Minister, the new system will come into effect on November 30, 2025, for buses equipped with ticket-issuing machines. The move aims to enhance transparency and convenience in public transport transactions.

“It’s a well-known fact that passengers are often cheated through bus tickets, which is one of the main reasons the bus industry is not financially sustainable,” the Minister said, noting that the introduction of digital payments will help bus operators secure fair income.

Rathnayake further stated that private bus owners have long requested a card payment system, although previous attempts to introduce dedicated transport cards were unsuccessful due to technical complications. The new initiative will allow passengers to make payments using any locally accepted bank card.

The Minister also addressed concerns regarding the delay in issuing vehicle number plates, revealing that as of September 30, 2025, a total of 165,512 plates remained unissued.

He explained that the new number plates include seven advanced security features, with testing carried out by the University of Moratuwa. “The university successfully verified six of the features, but we needed international support to test the seventh, which has caused the delay,” he said, emphasizing that the enhanced security measures were vital for preventing fraud.

In addition, Minister Rathnayake assured that the delay in issuing new driving licences will be resolved by October 18.

The Parliamentary session is now underway, presided over by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. You can watch the live proceedings below.

The main suspect in the gruesome double murder of a couple in Wadigala, Hungama has surrendered to authorities, police confirmed.

The shocking attack occurred in the early hours of today (07) around 12:45 a.m., when a group of five assailants broke into the residence. According to police reports, the female homeowner had stepped outside to use the toilet when the intruders forced their way inside. They entered a bedroom where a 28-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman were staying and brutally attacked them with sharp weapons, killing both. Disturbingly, the male victim was reportedly decapitated during the assault.Preliminary investigations indicate that the woman was the man’s mistress. Authorities also revealed that the male victim had a history of involvement in two previous murders.

Initial findings suggest that the murder may have been orchestrated by one of the victim’s close associates. Police continue to conduct a thorough investigation into the case.

The newly constructed two-storey building housing the Archaeological Museum and the International Archaeological Research Institute at the historic Somawathi sacred area in Polonnaruwa was declared open today (06) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

This two-storey building was constructed under the plans and supervision of the Department of Archaeology, following the guidance of the Chief Incumbent of the historic Somawathi Raja Maha Vihara and Registrar of the Mahavihara Vansika Syamopali Maha Nikaya of the Malwatta Chapter, the Most Venerable Dr. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thero. The project was fully funded through the generous financial contribution of Deshamanya Mithrapala Lankeshwara, Chairman of the Rathna Group, to facilitate the convenience of devotees from around the world who visit the historic Somawathi Chaityarajaya in Polonnaruwa where the Sacred Right Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined, as well as those engaged in educational and research activities.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who visited the historic Somawathi sacred site this morning (06), engaged in religious observances before the Somawathi Chaityarajaya and received blessings.

The President then unveiled the commemorative plaque and declared open the newly constructed two-storey building housing the Archaeological Museum and the International Archaeological Research Institute. The President also made the first floral offering to the Buddha statue and the sacred relic casket enshrined within the premises.

On this occasion, Deshamanya Mithrapala Lankeshwara, Chairman of the Rathna Group, presented a commemorative gift to the President.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, noted that the newly established Archaeological Museum and International Archaeological Research Institute will serve as a valuable gateway to understanding the rich history and archaeological significance of the Somawathi Chaityarajaya.

The Minister further emphasized that the on-going development of the Somawathi sacred site will be implemented through a systematic plan that integrates science and technology, ensuring that this heritage is preserved and shared with both the people of Sri Lanka and the world.

The event was attended by the Maha Sangha, led by Registrar of the Mahavihara Vansika Syamopali Maha Nikaya of the Malwatta Chapter and Chief Incumbent of the historic Somawathi Raja Maha Vihara, the Most Venerable Dr. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thero, along with North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Deputy Minister of Housing T.B. Sarath, Members of Parliament and other public representatives, Ms. Manel Deepani Gamage, Director of the Rathna Group and members of the Dayaka Sabha.

A double homicide has been reported at a residence in the Wadigala area of Hungama, police confirmed.

According to police, the victims had been attacked with sharp weapons, leading to their deaths.

Investigations were launched following information received about the suspicious deaths of two individuals at a house in the Ranna–Wadigala area. Preliminary inquiries have revealed that the deceased are a 28-year-old man and his unmarried partner.

Police further stated that the owner of the house is currently in prison, and the couple had been residing at the premises temporarily.

The motive and the perpetrators behind the killings remain unknown at this stage, while post-mortem examinations of the bodies are scheduled to be conducted today (07).

The Hungama Police have commenced further investigations into the incident.

Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa has informed authorities that he is unable to appear before the Tangalle Divisional Crime Investigation Unit today.

He has requested that an alternative date be scheduled for his appearance. Accordingly, Weerawansa has been asked to appear before the Tangalle CID on Sunday, October12.

He was initially summoned at 10:00 a.m. today to provide a statement regarding comments he made about an individual named Beliatte Sana.

Beliatte Sana, who was recently arrested along with a vessel in connection with a drug-related operation in Tangalle, is currently being questioned under a detention order.

The price of gold has surpassed USD 3,950 per ounce for the first time in history, global market data indicates.

In response to the surge, gold prices in Sri Lanka have increased by approximately Rs. 8,000 compared to Saturday’s rates.

As of this morning (07), the price of a 22-carat gold sovereign in the Colombo Pettah market has risen to Rs. 290,500, up from Rs. 283,000 recorded on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the price of a 24-carat gold sovereign, which stood at Rs. 306,000 on Saturday, has now climbed to Rs. 314,000, according to traders at the Pettah market.

(adaderana.lk)

The female elephant belonging to the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya has died a short while ago, temple officials confirmed.

According to a temple official, the elephant, aged 76, passed away earlier today within the temple premises.

The elephant, known among devotees as “Manika,” had long been part of the Bellanwila temple’s cultural and religious activities, including annual peraheras and temple events.

An emergency Executive Committee meeting of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) is scheduled to be held today (07), according to Assistant Secretary Dr. Hansamal Weerasinghe.

He stated that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the issues that have arisen concerning recent medical transfers within the Ampara District.

The GMOA has already launched trade union action in the district, protesting against what it alleges to be arbitrary medical transfers carried out by the Ampara District Health Administration.

Dr. Weerasinghe further noted that, as the government has yet to respond to the matter, the GMOA will decide at today’s meeting on the next course of trade union action to be taken.

The national ceremony to mark World Habitat Day was held today (05) at the Temple Tress under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Coinciding with the United Nations’ World Habitat Day, the national commemoration was held under the theme “A Place to Belong – A Beautiful Life”.

In line with this, the period from 1st to 5th October was declared Habitat Week, during which a series of related programmes were implemented across the country, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

As part of the housing development programme implemented by the National Housing Development Authority to provide homes for nearly 4,000 low-income families who lack the financial means to build their own houses, 1,000 completed houses were officially handed over to beneficiaries by the President through digital technology during the event.

On this occasion, the symbolic presentation of the Ambatale Water Supply Project proposed to be implemented with the assistance of the Government of India and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and facilitated by the UN-Habitat Sri Lanka Office was also formally made to the President.

Under the programme to provide land deeds to 1,000 beneficiaries whose ownership documents had been delayed due to various reasons, 357 symbolic land deeds were presented to recipients. Additionally, under the initiative to offer financial assistance of one million rupees each to 1,000 low-income families without the means to construct their own homes, 157 beneficiaries were symbolically presented with cheques by the President.

Marking World Habitat Day, the President also presented awards to the winners of the island wide art competition held in connection with the occasion, as well as to the winners of various programmes implemented by the Urban Development Authority, the PMD said.

Meanwhile, the President also visited the art exhibition organised to promote the creative talents of schoolchildren in celebration of World Habitat Day and the exhibition of design concepts related to housing planning.

Addressing this ceremonial event, the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, Anura Karunathilaka, stated that the present government has formulated and is implementing a comprehensive programme aimed at realising the housing dreams of the people of the country, it added.

He further noted that the government has recognised the need for a systematic approach to housing planning, while fostering a broader dialogue within society on the concept of housing. The Minister emphasised that the government is committed to creating a safe, comfortable and dignified living environment for all citizens.

The message of the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, for World Habitat Day was presented on this occasion by Harshini Halangoda, the Programme Manager of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in Sri Lanka.

Among those present were the Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Anil Jayantha Fernando; the Deputy Minister of Housing, T. B. Sarath; the Governor of the Western Province, Haniff Yusuf; the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazar; and Navya Singla, First Secretary (Political) of the High Commission of India, along with other representatives of the Indian High Commission.

Also in attendance were G. M. R. D. Aponsu, Senior Additional Secretary to the President; Ranjith Ariyaratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing; and Mr. Sampath Manthrinayake,, Secretary to the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, together with the Chairman and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority.

--PMD--