Aragalaya activist found dead!

Published

1 year ago

April 20, 2023

editor

Buddhi Prabodha Karunaratne, an active member of the Aragalaya, has died mysteriously after sending a text message to his friends indicating that he would end his life, the Mulleriyawa Police said.

The 28-year-old deceased who was originally from Natthandiya had been living in Himbutana, Mulleriyawa temporarily.

It was reported that he was the first person to set up a tent in Galle Face Green during the Aragalaya.

He had sent text messages to several of friends saying that he would take his life.

Upon seeing the message, a doctor from the Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama had arrived at his room in Himbutana along with his brother to find the door closed.

The two had broken down the door with the permission of the landlord and found the deceased lying unconscious on the bed.

He had been rushed to the Mulleriyawa Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The police found two types of painkillers and sleeping pills, a pack of cigarettes and a lighter on the bed, believed to have been used by the deceased.

The post-mortem examination of the deceased has been carried out by Judicial Medical Officer Kularatne at the IDH Hospital on the instructions of Kolonnawa Coroner Kanchana Wijenayake.

An open verdict was given on the cause of death based on medical reports and evidence.

Police said the government analyst will conduct further investigation into the death.

Further investigations are being conducted under the instructions of Mulleriyawa Police OIC Chief Inspector A. G. S. Susantha.

Concessionary vehicle import permits granted to retired government & judicial officials

Published

11 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Senior government and judicial officials who have retired on completion of 60 years of age and those who were sent on compulsory retirement without extension are eligible to obtain a vehicle import permit under concessionary rates of duty.

This was according to a circular issued by the Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry.

Officers who have retired on completion of 60 years of age during the period from extending the age of compulsory retirement to 65 years and reducing the age of compulsory retirement to 60 years introduced by the Ministry in 2022 are eligible for the permits subject to other requirements as set out in the regulations.

The decision to grant vehicle import permits for retired senior government officials came following a Cabinet decision on March 11.

Among the eligible officials are retired officials from Class I of an All Island Service or a Departmental Service, Special Grade of Government Registered and Assistant Medical Officers’ Service, Government Dental Surgeon in Grade I and retired senior judicial officers.

The circular dated April 25 was issued by Secretary to the Ministry Pradeep Yasarathne. The Secretary was unavailable for comment yesterday.

(sundaytimes.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

SLC doubles test players’ payments to boost morale

Published

13 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a significant increase in payments for Sri Lanka’s Test players, effectively doubling their compensation.

The decision, made by SLC, is aimed at fostering greater enthusiasm among Test players and emphasizing the importance of Test cricket, the governing body stated.

The increased payments will be implemented based on the match contracts of each player, in accordance with SLC guidelines.

As a result of this adjustment, the total payment for a Test player per international match will now amount to approximately USD 15,000, which is around Rs. 4,450,000.

News

India to cover tax costs for Sri Lanka-India passenger ferry service

Published

13 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

The Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS).

The passenger ferry service, which was launched in October 2023 by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), will tentatively resume on May 13, 2024. It will be operated by a private operator, IndSri Ferry Services, selected by SCI in consultation with the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL).

In order to make the service affordable and attractive for passengers, the Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year.

Similarly, the GOSL has reduced the deviation tax currently charged from passengers leaving Sri Lanka by passenger vessels and ships.

It should be recalled that the Government of India has also extended a grant assistance of USD 63.65 million to the GOSL for the rehabilitation of the KKS Harbour, which was earlier envisaged to be undertaken under a Line of Credit.

(dailymirror.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)