News

COPE learns famous star sapphire cluster worth only USD 10,000

Published

11 months ago

May 26, 2023

editor

The value of the star sapphire cluster, dubbed as the world’s largest, has been downgraded from USD 100 Million to USD 10,000, the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) was informed on Wednesday (24).

Officials from the National Gem and Jewellery Authority stated that the star sapphire cluster weighing around 510 kilograms was found in Ratnapura in July 2021 and the news was reported on a global level.

Officials had stated that the Chairman of the Authority at the time had initially announced that the star sapphire cluster was worth around USD 200 Million, and downgraded it to USD 100 Million later. However, after being sent overseas for testing it was found that the world’s largest star sapphire cluster was only worth USD 10,000.

During the COPE meeting, many other irregularities at the National Gem and Jewellery Authority were scrutinized.

BIZ

Onmax DT ordered to submit plans to refund depositors

Published

2 mins ago

May 2, 2024

nipuni

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage today (May 02) ordered directors of the company – Onmax DT to submit a programme to refund the aggrieved depositors of the Onmax DT pyramid investment scheme.

The 04 company directors previously released on bail also appeared in court today.

The magistrate made the order after considering facts presented in court.

News

University non-academic staff to launch indefinite strike

Published

1 hour ago

May 2, 2024

nipuni

Non-academic staff members of all state universities have also commenced an indefinite strike from noon today (May 02).

Secretary of the non-academic staffers’ union said the authorities have failed to heed their demands despite being briefed about their issues on multiple occasions.

Meanwhile, the Joint Committee of Government Executive Officers launched a two-day token strike on Thursday (02) by reporting sick.

News

Drugs haul linked to ‘Dubai Kapila’, seized

Published

2 hours ago

May 2, 2024

nipuni

Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel have recovered a stock of drugs allegedly belonging to an underworld figure, during a raid carried out near the Sri Jayewardenepura University, Nugegoda.

Accordingly, the seized drugs include 13 kg of heroin, 06 kg of hash and 0.5 kg of cocaine while Rs. 1.5 million in cash was also taken into custody during the special raid.

According to the STF, the seized stock of drugs allegedly belongs to the underworld figure known as “Dubai Kapila”.