News

Krish Perera to be questioned over Schaffter’s murder!

Published

1 year ago

December 22, 2022

editor

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has paid special attention to find out whether Janashakti Group Director Dinesh Schaffter had shared the location tracking facility on his mobile phone with his wife Tarni and his friend Patrick Krish Perera on the day before his murder.

Tarni and Krish had found out that Dinesh was at the Borella Cemetery through the location tracking facility since he had not returned home after half an hour of leaving.

Sources revealed that CID investigators have taken custody of Dinesh’s mobile phone for forensic investigation and are checking the number of times the location tracking facility has been shared with his wife and friend.

Dinesh’s wife has been interrogated by the CID officers and Borella Police on several occasions, but Krish has not been subjected to lengthy questioning.

It was Krish who found Dinesh at the Borella Cemetery and took him to the Colombo National Hospital.

The Borella Police has conducted a preliminary interrogation of Krish and recorded statements and the CID is currently gathering information to question him to find out more information in the future.

It was Krish who had also told the police that Dinesh had told him that he was going to meet cricket commentator Brian Thomas.

Accordingly, the investigating officers took measures to interrogate Brian and record statements. A travel ban was also imposed on him.

Krish Perera is a resident of Wattala and has worked closely with Dinesh for 19 years. Investigations have revealed that he is also a company director. The CID believes that Krish, who has been a most trusted employee of Dinesh, will be able to uncover many information about the people with whom Dinesh was associated and those he dealt with, and through that, they will be able to identify the killer.

Police Media Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that there is progress in the investigations into the murder. So far, statements have been taken from 50 people.

“The suspect has not yet been directly identified. Investigations are being conducted on a broad spectrum covering various fields,” he said.

SSP Thalduwa said when the police checked the car in which Dinesh was travelling in, they found a package containing short eats purchased from a shop at Malalasekara Mawatha, Colombo 07. It has been found that the package contained short eats enough for two people.

Investigators have drawn special attention to this fact as well.

Source: Dinamina

News

China Pledges Full Support for Sri Lanka’s Debt Restructuring

Published

15 hours ago

May 4, 2024

editor

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe has met with the Chinese Vice Minister of Finance Liao Min.

This meeting was held on the sidelines of the ADB annual meeting in Georgia.

Minister Semasinghe said on X ”at this discussion China assured its fullest support and cooperation to conclude the debt restructuring process in Sri Lanka.”

Furthermore, he said that China reaffirmed steadfast support to Sri Lanka on all fronts.(news first.lk)

News

Sri Lanka slips down Press Freedom Index

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

editor

Reporters Without Borders released the 2024 World Press Freedom Index on Friday (03).

According to RFS, Sri Lanka has slipped to the 150th position in the index, from 135th position last year.

Click here to read the RSF Sri Lanka Fact File

News

Companies should be ashamed of not giving workers a raise – Vadivel Suresh

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

editor

Mr. Vadivel Suresh, General Secretary of the Lanka Jathika Estate Workers’ Union, emphasized that both the Government and the Plantation Employers’ Association bear the responsibility of providing wage increases to plantation workers. These workers, who play a pivotal role in sustaining the esteemed reputation of ‘Ceylon Tea’, contribute significantly to the national economy of Sri Lanka.

MP Vadivel Suresh, made this statement during his participation in today’s (03) news conference at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC), under the theme ‘Collective path to a Stable Country’.

The Member of Parliament noted that plantation companies, benefiting significantly from the fluctuating dollar value, ought to feel ashamed for not providing their workers with a salary raise. He emphasized that the salary increase outlined in the gazette notice issued by the Labour Commissioner General for plantation workers should be implemented.

MP Vadivel Suresh further commented:

“We express gratitude to the President and the government for raising the salary of plantation workers to LKR. 1700. However, the Plantation Employers’ Association is contesting this decision.

The estate companies that profited greatly from the dollar’s value should be ashamed of themselves for not giving their workers a raise. Expressing opposition to the decision to increase wages for their workers, who contribute significantly to strengthening the national economy by upholding the reputation of Ceylon Tea, is regrettable. The decision to raise estate workers’ wages was not made hastily; rather, it followed extensive negotiations over the course of a year involving the Department of Labour, trade unions, and relevant stakeholders.

Employers’ unions persistently refrained from engaging in wage-fixing negotiations. Similarly, they remained silent when a salary increase of LKR 1000 was requested. However, the Labour Commissioner General, utilizing his authority, lawfully issued a gazette notice for a salary hike of LKR 1700. It is unjust for estate companies to procrastinate without providing relief to the workforce amidst fluctuations in the dollar’s value.

Both the government and the plantation Employers’ Association bear responsibility in this matter. Consequently, companies cannot contravene government decisions. Estate companies claim they are in dialogue with the high-level committee for the ultimate verdict. However, all 22 estate companies are owned by five individuals. These owners are involved not only in tea plantations but also in sectors such as tourism, small-scale manufacturing, agriculture, and gems. Additionally, plantation workers and trade unions must unite in support of this wage increase.

(President’s Media Division)

Gazette issued to up estate workers’ daily wage

Unable to increase daily wage – Plantation owners