Monitor Memo

The wife of notorious underworld figure Backhoe Saman, Shadika Lakshani, was produced before the Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court under heavy police security in connection with an alleged passport-fraud case. Backhoe Saman, identified by police as a leading member of Sri Lanka’s organized-crime network, was recently arrested in Indonesia along with his wife and four associates. The group was later deported to Sri Lanka and placed in custody under strict security measures. According to police invest

Three siblings from a single family in Akkaraipattu have excelled in the recently concluded Southeast Asian Mathematics Olympiad (SEAMO). The online competition, which drew participants from 28 countries across Southeast Asia, tested mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills at an advanced international level. National-Level Winners The outstanding achievers are: * Mahboob Ahmed Yasri, a student of Akkaraipattu Muslim Central College (National School), secured first place nationall

Four children have permanently lost their sight in recent weeks due to severe chemical burns from lime used in betel chewing, health authorities revealed Tuesday, prompting urgent warnings about a disturbing rise in preventable eye injuries across Northern Province. Dr. M. Malaravan, an ophthalmologist at Jaffna Teaching Hospital, disclosed that six children suffered serious eye injuries from betel-related lime exposure in recent weeks alone, with four cases resulting in irreversible blindness.

Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Ranjith, has raised the alarm over what he dramatically termed an “inappropriate sexual education programme” being slipped into Sri Lanka’s school curriculum next year. Speaking recently at the reopening of the renovated St. Stephen’s Church in Meerigama, the Cardinal claimed the Education Ministry’s new curriculum aims to introduce sexual education from Grade 6, complete with teacher training and seminars. Sources close to the Education Ministry have confirmed