Chronicling the crumbling of the House of AssadSpeaker Ashoka Ranwala yesterday said that he has decided to step down from his post following allegations regarding the authenticity of his educational qualifications. In his statement, the Speaker assured the public that he had never made any false claims about his qualifications. But said he does not possess certain documents required to validate his educational credentials at this moment. He stated that while he has requested the necessary documents from the relevant institutions, it is challenging to produce them urgently. He further noted that the relevant documentation can be obtained from the research institution affiliated with Japan’s Waseda University, which had awarded him a doctorate, and he intends to present them as soon as possible. “However, considering the prevailing situation and to avoid inconveniencing the government and the people who placed their trust in us, I have decided to resign from the position of Speaker,” he said. The controversy surrounding Ranwala’s doctorate recently gained traction on social media, leading to the Sri Lanka Parliament’s website removing the title “Dr.” from his profile in the members’ directory. Opposition parties have also called for clarity on whether he genuinely holds a doctorate, urging the government to address growing public suspicion.
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District Attorney Erik Johnson has officially designated 2025 as the “Year of the Child” in District 22, an initiative aimed at enhancing the health, safety, and well-being of children throughout the district. This initiative underscores the vital role of the District Attorney’s Office in safeguarding children and fostering stronger support systems within the community. As District Attorney, Johnson and his office are dedicated to addressing cases involving child victims and witnesses, working closely with the Children’s Advocacy Center to prosecute incidents of physical and sexual abuse. “Our responsibility to protect children is paramount,” Johnson said. “Through rigorous investigations and thoughtful prosecutions, we aim to bring justice to vulnerable children and hold offenders accountable.” In addition to handling criminal cases, the District Attorney’s Office manages civil proceedings where children are neglected or deprived. These cases may ultimately lead to the termination of parental rights, ensuring children are placed in safe and nurturing environments. Johnson emphasized that his team remains steadfast in their commitment to the well-being of every child in District 22. Among the programs implemented in 2025 is the School-Based Family Services Program, in partnership with Oklahoma Human Services. This initiative aims to place social workers in every school district across District 22, providing essential services such as family support, academic assistance, mental health resources, and basic needs for students. This collaborative program, funded 80% by state grants and 20% by school districts, is designed to “build a bridge to support both educational achievement and home stability.” “By introducing school-based social workers, we enable teachers to focus on teaching while addressing the broader challenges students face,” Johnson said. “This program can improve attendance, reduce truancy, and strengthen the family support systems needed for children to thrive. With over 7,500 students in our district, I’m proud of the enthusiasm this initiative has received from local superintendents.” Another cornerstone of the “Year of the Child” is the expansion of the Care Cottage, the Children’s Advocacy Center in Ada that serves District 22. The Care Cottage provides a safe, child-friendly environment for victims of abuse to receive forensic interviews, counseling, and medical care. “This expansion will allow us to serve more children in crisis, ensuring that every child has access to the resources they need to begin healing,” Johnson said. The District Attorney’s Office will also continue to prioritize training for law enforcement on domestic abuse and child abuse investigations. Enhanced training will focus on improving report writing and case development, ensuring that the evidence gathered is strong enough to support successful prosecutions. “ By refining these skills, we can better protect children and hold offenders accountable,” Johnson said. Furthermore, the office will expand the District 22 Truancy Program, now operating in all three counties. The program, in collaboration with schools and social service agencies, helps at-risk students stay engaged in their education, addressing the root causes of truancy and ensuring long-term success for children and their families. To kick off the “Year of the Child,” Johnson will host a roundtable discussion in January 2025, bringing together social service agencies, educators, law enforcement, and community leaders. This forum will aim to enhance coordination and delivery of essential services to children across the district. “This is an opportunity for all stakeholders to get on the same page and ensure our efforts are operating at maximum potential,” Johnson said. By focusing on these comprehensive measures, District 22 is setting a powerful precedent for community collaboration and child-focused advocacy. “The ‘Year of the Child’ will be a year of action and commitment,” Johnson said. “It’s a chance for all of us to come together, support our children, and create a brighter future for every family in District 22.”
Supreme Court dismisses suit seeking to compel Federal Government’s disclosure of gas earningsTejada scores 18, Towson beats Bryant 70-65National People’s Power (NPP) MP Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne has lodged a formal complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over a series of malicious and false news posts circulating on social media, including personal attacks targeting her. In a statement, MP Ariyaratne condemned the deliberate campaign to tarnish her reputation and called for swift action against those responsible for creating and spreading such content. She emphasised that these “cheap tactics” would not deter women from participating in politics nor harm the Government, stating, “If anyone believes such tricks can intimidate us, they are sorely mistaken. While you resort to petty ploys, we will continue to focus on progress.” The complaint comes in the wake of a national Sinhala daily newspaper publishing a report about an alleged domestic dispute involving an NPP Colombo district MP and his wife, which also mentioned a fellow female MP. Following this, social media posts falsely alleged that MP Ariyaratne was the female MP referenced in the report. The posts escalated into a vicious online campaign, spreading unfounded accusations and defamatory content about her. MP Ariyaratne has called on the CID to investigate the orchestrated campaign and take appropriate legal action against those responsible for harming her good name.
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