News

Both me & AKD are in same boat – RW

Published

8 months ago

October 28, 2024

editor

Referring to his political fate and his rival candidate at the Presidential Election Anura Kumara Dissanayake, former President Ranil Wickremeisnghe yesterday said both himself and Dissanayake are in the same boat.

Wickremesinghe who addressed an election meeting in Negombo said people in this country has not given a majority to both himself and Mr. Dissanayake at the Presidential Election.

” President Dissanayake has wanted me to stay at home as I have been defeated at the Presidential Election. Yes I accept that I was defeated as majority of people did not vote for me. The majority of people did not vote for Mr. Dissanayake either. Therefore, I am the former President without the endorsement of the majority and Dissanayake is the incumbent President who does not have the endorsement of the majority. Is there any difference between both of us. We are both in a similar position? ” he questioned.

” Anyway I hope that he will be able to serve a full term as the President, ” Mr. Wickremesinghe added.

Mr. Wickremesinghe said the challenge before the incumbent government is to show the IMF how it is going to reduce state expenditure by 13 percent. He said Sri Lanka has to achieve this goal if it is going to secure IMF assistance continuously. “The Government will have to show how it is going to slash expenditure either through a vote on account or through a budget next year,” he said in this regard.

He also challenged the government to shed the proposal to increase the salaries of public servants if it claims that the proposal made by the last regime is not legal. ” Both President Dissanayake and Minister Vijitha Herath has said the proposal to increase salaries is illegal. It was the cabinet which decided to increase salaries in two phases. The treasury initially said there was no funds to increase salaries. I told Udaya Seneviratne whom I appointed to look into salary increase to have a dialogue with the treasury and he did so and informed me that it will be possible to increase salaries in two phases. We decided to increase salaries in two phases accordingly and the cabinet approved this move. New government is now saying that it is illegal. The proposal should be slashed if it is illegal,” he added.

(DailyMirror.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Japan grants US$ 2.5 mn. to SL to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The Government of Japan has granted USD 2.5 million to Sri Lanka to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms under a 3-year project for Promoting Prosecution of Corrupt Practices through the Establishment of Anti-corruption Mechanism.

Japanese ambassador in Sri Lanka – Mr. Akio Isomata and UNDP resident representative in Sri Lanka – Ms. Azusa Kubota, in the presence of Justice Minister – Harshana Nanayakkara, launched ‘The Project for Promoting Prosecution of Corrupt Practices through the Establishment of Anti-Corruption Mechanism’

The three year initiative is supported by the Government of Japan and implemented by the UNDP Sri Lanka, working in close collaboration with the (CIABOC) and the Ministry of Justice.

The project aims to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in governance and business practices through effective and institutionalised preventive mechanisms in the public and investment promotion sectors, strengthen institutions to enhance corruption related investigative processes, improve coordination with stakeholders and ensure quality of prosecutions, empower citizens to effectively mobilise against corruption and enhance social accountability.

The project also seeks to engage and empower youth, children and journalists to actively contribute to the fight against corruption and promote a culture of integrity.

News

3 ex-DMT officials including ex-commissioner, remanded

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasingha and two other former officials of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The arrests were made as part of an investigation into vehicles that were illegally registered with the Department of Motor Traffic without receiving proper clearance from Sri Lanka Customs, CIABOC said in a statement.

According to CIABOC, former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasinghe has been arrested for granting approval to issue a number plate for a jeep.

Additionally, a former Assistant Director of Information Technology at the department and a clerk have also been taken into custody for facilitating the illegal data entry and executing it.

The suspects were produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court and were ordered to be remanded until July 08.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

6 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Controller of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Illukpitiya, today (July 01) unconditionally pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court in a case related to contempt of court.

The charge stemmed from his failure to comply with a court order related to the e-visa issuance process.

The Supreme Court announced that sentencing will take place on July 24.