News

Aiding ‘Buru Moona’ flee country: BIA police officers’ bank accounts to be probed

Published

1 year ago

February 27, 2023

editor

The bank accounts of the BIA Police OIC and other officers who are accused of aiding and abetting a wanted criminal involved in 19 murders escape the country would be inspected, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Western Province, Deshabandu Tennakoon, said.

The suspect was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake. However, the police officers are accused of helping him escape the country.

It is suspected that following the release of the suspect Koralekankanamlage Ravindu Warnasinghe alias Buru Moona from the police custody, a transaction of around 15 million rupees has taken place.

The suspect, who attempted to travel abroad with a fake passport despite having a flight ban, was arrested by the immigration officials at the BIA and was handed over to the airport police at around 6 pm on the 24th.

This suspect, who was handed over to the police, was detained in the police cell until that night. Meanwhile, three persons appeared to be Buddhist monks have arrived at the police station and discussed with the OIC about his release.

They have told the OIC to remove the handcuffs of the suspect so that he can have his dinner.

The OIC had then instructed the officer in charge of the police cell to remove the suspect’s handcuffs and take him out of the cell.

The monks had left the police station saying that they would return with food. One of them had invited the officer who was on duty to come out of the police station to give him a bottle of whiskey.

When the police officer went outside to get the bottle of whiskey, the suspect had escaped the police station and had run away by pushing the police officers away.

The suspect had fled towards Chilaw in a yellow Aqua car and it is suspected that he had escaped to India by boat from Chilaw.

A senior police officer said that there is serious doubts regarding the escape of the suspect and that information has been received about a money transaction of 15 million rupees surrounding this incident.

The escaped suspect has been identified as the main suspect in the shooting to death of a restaurant owner at the Mosque Road in Hanwella on December 18, 2022.

The officers who investigated into this murder had come across a photo of the suspect’s passport.

Later, a flight ban was obtained from the Awissawella Magistrate’s Court against the suspect.

The suspect was arrested when he arrived at the BIA without knowing that a flight ban had been imposed on him.

Katunayake OIC Janaka Senadheera, Duty Sergeant Senaratne, Constables Rathnayake and Kumara were arrested on charges of aiding and abetting the escape of the suspect arrested by the police.

Three of the arrested officers, except the Duty Sergeant, were released after being produced in the Negombo Magistrate’s Court.

Investigations have revealed that one of the Buddhist monks who helped the criminal escape has been identified as a monk residing at a temple in Hettipola under the protection of the underworld .

News

China Pledges Full Support for Sri Lanka’s Debt Restructuring

Published

11 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