A group of Buddhist monks today surrounded a religious institution in Embilipitiya, alleging that it was carrying out religious conversions under the guise of healing illnesses.

The monks, led by Venerable Omalpe Sobhitha Thera, said a complaint had been filed with the relevant police station yesterday against the institution.

Speaking to police officers who arrived at the scene, the monks said they could not allow the institution to continue operating in the area.

Sobhitha Thera urged the officers to act in accordance with the Constitution, which affords Buddhism the foremost place.

Police officers, however, pointed out that the Constitution also guarantees freedom of religion and the right to practice a religion of one’s choice. They said preventing a person from exercising that right could amount to a violation of fundamental rights.

Sobhitha Thera responded that practices involving healing without referring patients to hospitals had resulted in deaths in several parts of the country. He cited several cases in support of his claim, which said were reported in the media.

Police officers assured the monks that the institution and its practices would be investigated based on the complaint and that appropriate action would be taken following the investigation.

The monks also stressed that people seeking religious or spiritual support for illnesses should obtain proper medical advice and treatment rather than rely solely on claims of miraculous cures.

“What certification have they been given to heal people with sickness? When people do not recover from illnesses, they also come to the temple seeking healing and cures. But do we ask them not to take medicine? We conduct Bodhi pooja, Pirith sermons and blessings, but we also ask them to take medicine,” Sobhitha Thera said.

The monks further alleged that organizations engaged in such healing practices receive financial support from international organizations. They called for such practices to be investigated and said they should not be allowed to continue without proper oversight. (Newswire)

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A married couple from Kiralawelketuwa, Embilipitiya, were brutally killed last night (13) when their son attacked them with a sharp weapon.

The Police said the victims were a 54‑year‑old woman and her 58‑year‑old husband, residents of Kiralawelketuwa.

Initial investigations revealed that a prolonged personal dispute had escalated, leading their 26‑year‑old son to fatally assault both parents.

The suspect has been taken into custody, and the Embilipitiya Police Division is conducting further investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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Eight (08) female workers from a garment factory in Embilipitiya were admitted to the hospital this morning after inhaling smoke during a fire that broke out at the facility.

According to the Police, the blaze erupted inside a warehouse of the textile factory located near the Nonagama Sudupalam area. 

The affected workers were rushed to the Embilipitiya Base Hospital after suffering from smoke inhalation. 

The Sewanagala fire‑fighting unit was deployed to bring the flames under control. 

Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire, which has not yet been established. (Newswire)

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A retired Army soldier was arrested with several firearms and sharp weapons in the Embilipitiya area yesterday. 

The Police said the suspect was arrested with a stock of weapons during a raid conducted by the Police STF near the Kotelawala Junction based on a tip-off.

The seized weapons include an AK47 firearm, a pistol, 25 bullets of a 7.62 firearm, 07 bullets of a 09 mm firearm, a magazine of an AK47 weapon, two swords and a knife.

Preliminary investigations have found that the suspect, a 53-year-old resident of Embilipitiya, is a close associate of an individual involved in organized crime and drug peddling. (Newswire) 

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Presidential candidate Janaka Priyantha Kumara has filed a complaint with the Embilipitiya Police requesting a probe into the fake election polling centre conducted at a prominent location in Embilipitiya Town recently.

According to Lankadeepa newspaper, the Presidential candidate complained that on August 21, the fake polling centre had conducted an election by distributing ballot papers to selected persons with the results being issued on social media. 

The complaint further states that the ballot papers contain the names of six candidates contesting the 2024 Presidential elections, which were Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Namal Rajapaksa, Dilith Jayaweera, and Siritunga Jayasuriya. 

Persons visiting Embilipitiya Town were asked to cast their votes at a polling station with a ballot box that was temporarily set up, with the results of the voting being announced via a video on Facebook. (Newswire)

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The bridge across the Hulanda Oya on the Embilipitiya-Middeniya road, originating from the Kumbugodaara area collapsed along with a lorry this morning.

According to media reports, the bridge had collapsed between 6:30 and 7:30 am while a lorry loaded with timber had attempted to cross. 

Following the incident, traffic came to a standstill and the water supply was disrupted in some areas. 

According to area residents, the bridge, constructed in 1985 during the tenure of late President Ranasinghe Premadasa, had collapsed due to the widening of the road on both sides without proper maintenance. (NewsWire)

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