News

SLRC’s new web radio suspended immediately

Published

1 year ago

February 14, 2024

nipuni

Chairman of the state owned Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) – Dr. Prasad Samarasinghe has pledged to suspend the channel’s new web radio, internal sources say.

He has pledged this as a response to a group of SLRC employees protesting at the SLRC main lobby earlier this morning (Feb. 14).

The new web radio named as ‘Ru Radio’ was set to be launched today, coinciding with the 42th anniversary of the SLRC.

Although the SLRC chairman has denied knowledge of the launch, a test broadcast had commenced via the link https://rupavahini.lk/ru-radio and video advertisements had even been publiciized.

Meanwhile, it is also reported that the Ceylon Electricity Board had disconnected power to the SLRC yesterday over the non-payment of bills but the supply was temporarily reconnected after a portion of it was settled.

It is also said that the power supply to SLRC has been disconnected around 10 times in the recent past due to inability to settle electricity bills and the Finance Manager is said to be evading producers of teledramas that are demanding arrears payments.

According to Trade Unions of the SLRC, the state owned TV is deeply in debt, with the figure exceeding Rs. 3,000 million.

It is reported that the SLRC has not paid the VAT due to the state for several years and has not paid EPF and ETF of its employees for several months as well.

Although around 65 employees have left the SLRC under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme, the institute has been unable to pay their retirement gratuity, EPF and ETF, reports add.

Leveling serious accusations against the Minister of Media – Bandula Gunawardena and against the SLRC chairman over this situation, SLRC employees also allege that the transaction of handing over Channel Eye to Subhashkaran Alirajah is a corrupt one.

They charge that the transaction is a fraudulent one where Alirajah was given the TV frequency of Nethra TV instead, after converting it to Channel Eye. The frequency of Nethra TV had an islandwide coverage, something that the Channel Eye frequency did not.

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.