News

Schaffter killed by a close friend!

Published

1 year ago

December 20, 2022

editor

The investigators of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) suspect that Janashakthi PLC Director Dinesh Schaffter was brought to the Borella Cemetery and killed according to a plan devised by one of his close friends.

Meanwhile, a senior CID officer said that a statement was recorded from Mr.Schaffter’s wife Tani yesterday (19) for nearly two and a half hours in relation to the murder.

Also, the report of the fingerprints found in Mr.Schaffter’s car is due to be received today (20).

It was reported that the CID is looking into the mobile phones of several suspects. Their behavior before and after the incident is also being closely monitored.

It has also been revealed that the person who drove Schaffter’s vehicle is someone who has a sound knowledge of the roads inside the Borella Cemetery.

In order to have such knowledge, the person in question must have visited the cemetery several times in the past as well. If Mr. Schaffter drove his car from home to the cemetery directly, it is confirmed that it was not the first time he had visited the cemetery.

The CID suspects that the person who lured Mr. Schaffter to the cemetery had brought him there with the intention of killing him.

Meanwhile, an investigator said Schaffter had been killed while he was in the driver’s seat.

“This further confirms that Mr. Schaffter was the driver. He was found dead in his car with his hands tied. His hands were not tied with something like ropes that can be found around the cemetery. Plastic cable has been used to tie the hands. He has been strangled with a wire. At first glance, it does not look like the wire was picked up from the ground. It’s a new one. He was tied to the driver’s seat with a wire around his neck. Cable ties and wires are not to be found easily at the cemetery. The criminals have come prepared with these to kill Mr. Schaffter,” he said.

The CID is also looking into several vehicles that seemed to have followed Schaffter’s vehicle.

News

Visa issue : Measures against officials challenging cabinet decision

Published

44 mins ago

May 3, 2024

nipuni

The government has issued a statement following the recent chaos at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake and allegations over outsourcing the on arrival visa process.

In a statement, the Department of Government Information refutes claims stating that the on arrival visa process has been outsourced sans a cabinet decision. It notes that Cabinet approval was granted last September to a proposal tabled by Minister Tiran Alles.

As per the procurement process, it was outsourced to VFS Global, a company with over 3388 centres across 151 countries, it adds.

The statement also mentions that the government has decided to look into issues that had recently taken place due to the company’s visa issuing process.

It adds that reports claiming that the entire visa process has been outsourced to a foreign company, are also baseless, clarifying only the facilitation work for visa issuance has been assigned to this company.

The statement also notes that the government will take necessary action against officials who are challenging the aforementioned cabinet decision in action or by issuing statements.

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News

Planters’ Association clarifies on daily wage increase

Published

3 hours ago

May 3, 2024

nipuni

The Planters’ Association of Ceylon, in a statement has issued a clarification with regard to the reported wage increase in the tea and rubber sector.

“Given the facts stated in the Gazette notification, the implication in media reports that the increased payments will be applicable from 1st May 2024, is inaccurate and misleading. Neither the effective date – on which the new proposed minimum payment will be applicable – nor the quantum of such payment has, as yet, been determined,” the statement notes.

Noting that the relevant gazette also notes that objections to the proposed determination will be received until May 15th, the Association also states they will be filing objections to these proposals within the time frame stipulated by the Labour Commissioner.

News

China – SL to expedite implementation of MoUs

Published

4 hours ago

May 3, 2024

nipuni

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong had called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees in Colombo yesterday (May 02) to discuss ways and means of early implementation of the agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) reached between the two countries during the Prime Minister’s official visit to China in March 2024.

The Prime Minister said the implementation of the MOUs would begin a new chapter in the long-term friendship and economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and China.

Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake had signed the agreements on behalf of Sri Lanka, and the secretaries of nine Ministries signed on behalf of China in the presence of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang.
During the talks with Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, the Prime Minister stated that in addition to implementation of the MoUs, Sri Lanka would also welcome direct private investments from China as well as investments in agriculture, renewable energy, IT, education and water supply sectors to provide long term solutions to economic issues.

Ambassador Qi Shenhong said he was pleased to see the resilience of Sri Lanka to overcome difficulties and assured China’s continuous support to Sri Lanka’s current efforts at debt restructuring and meeting economic challenges.

Prime Minister’s Secretary Mr. Anura Dissanayake and Chinese Economic Counsellor were also present at this meeting.

(Prime Minister’s Media)