Latest news with #Vesak
Khaleej Times
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Sri Lanka prison chief kept in custody after fraud convict freed
Sri Lanka's prison chief was remanded in custody on Tuesday in connection with the illegal release of a convicted financial fraudster under the guise of an amnesty for minor offenders. Commissioner-General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya was arrested late Monday by the Criminal Investigations Department, over the release of fraud convict Athula Thilakaratne. The government suspended Upuldeniya following reports the convict's name was smuggled into a list of nearly 400 minor offenders who were granted a presidential amnesty last month. Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Rathnayake ordered Upuldeniya be held in custody until Wednesday, pending a criminal investigation. "It was decided to suspend the Commissioner-General until the investigations are concluded," the Justice Ministry said in a statement. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's office ordered the police investigation last week after the release of Thilakaratne. He was serving a six-month sentence over a financial scam and is also facing 30 other fraud cases. Police have launched a manhunt for Thilakaratne, who went missing after his unlawful release from prison was reported in the local media. A presidential amnesty was granted to 388 inmates last month to mark Vesak, the most important Buddhist festival on the island. Thilakaratne "was not among those approved by the president to receive a pardon", Dissanayake's office said. The president told a public rally last week that corruption was rife in prisons and called for a major clean-up. He also warned officials to improve or face the sack.
The Star
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sri Lanka prison chief kept in custody after fraud convict freed
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's prison chief was remanded in custody Tuesday (June 10) in connection with the illegal release of a convicted financial fraudster under the guise of an amnesty for minor offenders. Commissioner-General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya (pic) was arrested late Monday by the Criminal Investigations Department, over the release of fraud convict Athula Thilakaratne. The government suspended Upuldeniya following reports the convict's name was smuggled into a list of nearly 400 minor offenders who were granted a presidential amnesty last month. Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Rathnayake ordered Upuldeniya be held in custody until Wednesday, pending a criminal investigation. "It was decided to suspend the Commissioner-General until the investigations are concluded," the Justice Ministry said in a statement. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's office ordered the police investigation last week after the release of Thilakaratne. He was serving a six-month sentence over a financial scam and is also facing 30 other fraud cases. Police have launched a manhunt for Thilakaratne, who went missing after his unlawful release from prison was reported in the local media. A presidential amnesty was granted to 388 inmates last month to mark Vesak, the most important Buddhist festival on the island. Thilakaratne "was not among those approved by the president to receive a pardon", Dissanayake's office said. The president told a public rally last week that corruption was rife in prisons and called for a major clean-up. He also warned officials to improve or face the sack. - AFP
The Sun
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Sri Lanka prison chief kept in custody after fraud convict freed
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's prison chief was remanded in custody Tuesday in connection with the illegal release of a convicted financial fraudster under the guise of an amnesty for minor offenders. Commissioner-General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya was arrested late Monday by the Criminal Investigations Department, over the release of fraud convict Athula Thilakaratne. The government suspended Upuldeniya following reports the convict's name was smuggled into a list of nearly 400 minor offenders who were granted a presidential amnesty last month. Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Rathnayake ordered Upuldeniya be held in custody until Wednesday, pending a criminal investigation. 'It was decided to suspend the Commissioner-General until the investigations are concluded,' the Justice Ministry said in a statement. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's office ordered the police investigation last week after the release of Thilakaratne. He was serving a six-month sentence over a financial scam and is also facing 30 other fraud cases. Police have launched a manhunt for Thilakaratne, who went missing after his unlawful release from prison was reported in the local media. A presidential amnesty was granted to 388 inmates last month to mark Vesak, the most important Buddhist festival on the island. Thilakaratne 'was not among those approved by the president to receive a pardon', Dissanayake's office said. The president told a public rally last week that corruption was rife in prisons and called for a major clean-up. He also warned officials to improve or face the sack.
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati to lead team to bring Buddha's relics
BHUBANESWAR: Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati will lead a delegation accompanying the holy relics of Lord Buddha from Vietnam to India on June 2. The relics were taken to Vietnam from India for exposition on the gala celebrations of the United Nations Day of Vesak, which is observed annually on the full moon of May to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Lord Buddha. These relics were on display in Vietnam during the Vesak celebrations from May 6 to 8. The relics have been provided by the Mahabodhi Society of India and the National Museum, Ministry of Culture, with the support of the International Buddhist Confederation. The relics, which travelled from Sarnath - the sacred site where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon - were flown to Vietnam in a special Indian Air Force aircraft. Speaking ahead of his departure to bring back the relics from Vietnam, the Governor said, 'It is a matter of great honour to accompany the sacred relics of Lord Buddha back to India. This spiritual journey reflects our shared civilisational heritage with Vietnam.'
South China Morning Post
17-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Cat competition in Romania, full moon in Russia: pictures of the week
Devotees fly lanterns during the commemoration of Vesak, which marks the day of Buddha's birth... Devotees fly lanterns during the commemoration of Vesak, which marks the day of Buddha's birth, death and...
