News

Thieves break into Saman Devala!

Published

1 year ago

January 11, 2023

editor

A group of thieves had broken into the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devala’s storage of offerings and stolen several hundred thousands worth of currency notes that were kept in sacks.

The storage is built attached to the official residence of the Basnayake Nilame, and covered with a metal door.

However, it has been revealed that the thieves have entered the storage through the roof, ceiling and iron mesh cover.

The theft had taken place in a background where there is a police post and 60 CCTV cameras operating 24 hours a day.

The Basnayaka Nilame said that he had made several written requests to the Ratnapura Police to deploy a police officer to provide security to the storage of offerings.

The offerings received to five tills are separated into notes and coins under the supervision of the officers of the Buddhist Affairs Department and the Basnayake Nilame.

The money is being taken to a state bank by its officials. The theft had taken place when the sacks of offerings were stored in the storage for nearly three days pending the arrival of bank officials.

The thieves had reportedly taken only the sacks of notes.

Basnayake Nilame Migara Jayasundara Bandara said the thieves had previously tried to enter the storage on the 4th and 10th of October last year.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the officers who were on duty at the police post at the Devala had been transferred following the theft.

Villagers who commented on this theft said that it was a result of mistakes by the administrators.

“It has been 6 to 7 months since 60 cameras were installed. They have not been maintained well. The authorities should look into these. The police didn’t do anything though they had a police post. At this rate, the thieves will end up taking the entire Saman Devala.”

“The suspects must be arrested. There are ancient ornaments inside the temple. Thieves will steal these as well if authorities fail to take proper measures.”

“A number of thefts took place in the past, but no one was arrested. Are they waiting for God Saman to punish them?.”

(Ada Derana)

News

Gazette issued to up estate workers’ daily wage

Published

1 hour ago

May 1, 2024

nipuni

The Wages Board has issued a Gazette notification to increase the minimum daily wage of estate workers to Rs. 1700.

The minimum daily wage of workers engaged in the Tea, Rubber Growing and Raw rubber Manufacturing Trades are as follows :

2382-04_E Download

News

Operators say no reduction of bus fare

Published

2 hours ago

May 1, 2024

nipuni

Bus operators have said bus fares cannot be reduced despite the reduction of diesel prices.
President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association – Gemunu Wijeratne has said a fare reduction could only be made in July.

Wijeratne said the annual fare revision was in July 2023, based on the pricing formula in the national policy on bus fares.

Wijeratne said for bus fares to be reduced, the diesel prices should be reduced by at least Rs.55.

Noting that there were various price fluctuations over the past 10 months, he said that they’ve been operating at a loss for the past three months with the recent price revision only allowing a profit of Rs.03.

As per the monthly fuel revision, fuel prices were reduced from midnight yesterday.

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News

Mirissa to be made a Blue Flag Coastal Zone

Published

2 hours ago

May 1, 2024

nipuni

Cabinet approval has been granted to convert the Mirissa marine zone into a Blue Flag Coastal Zone and a marine wildlife sanctuary conforming to international standards.

In the meeting held in May 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers discussed the proposal regarding the declaration of the Mirissa Marine Zone as a wildlife sanctuary.

A ministerial sub-committee headed by the Prime Minister was appointed to further study the proposal with the participation of all relevant parties and submit recommendations to the Cabinet.

The sub-committee has made recommendations aimed at increasing the tourism economy of the southern province by five times by turning the Mirissa maritime zone into a Blue Flag Coastal Zone and a Marine Wildlife Sanctuary conforming to international standards.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Prime Minister to implement those recommendations through relevant ministries and institutions.