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TUs accuse SLT of being sold off to India ; Who is behind Adani – Subhashkaran deal?

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Trade Unions of Sri Lanka Telecom have requested President Ranil Wickremesinghe to scrap the Budget decision of selling Sri Lanka Telecom to foreign investors.

Presenting Budget 2023 in parliament, the President has stated that several SOEs such SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Insurance, Sri Lanka Telecom, etc., have been earmarked for restructure.

Mr. Jagath Gurusinghe, Senior Vice Secretary of Telecommunication Workers Union, says that a series of extensive protests will be held islandwide from tomorrow (23) against the government’s decision to sell Sri Lanka Telecom to Lycamobile and the Adani Group.

The Telecommunication Workers Union held a media conference in this regard yesterday (21) at the Guru Madura Hall in Colombo.

Likening the SLT to a hen laying golden eggs, Mr. Gurusinghe said that the institution is like a dowry given to every government that is appointed every 5 years.

In addition to selling off such a profitable institution at such a ridiculously cut price deal, he added that the deal also poses a threat to the national security.

Noting that President Wickremesinghe requires funds in the treasury to maintain power, Mr. Gurusinghe said that the President is currently selling off institutions to fill up the coffers.

SLPP TUs also oppose

Meanwhile, the Trade Unions representing Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) also opposed the above move.

Economic experts have pointed out that since nations with leading economies are moving towards an e-commerce world, a country’s communication system to remain in the hands of the state is crucial for its growth.

Also, defence analysts point out that with India already being involved in the printing of the country’s NICs, their second step would be venturing into the national communication network.

They point out that the loyalties of potential buyers – Adani and Lycamobile owner Subaskaran Alirajah, prominently lie with India.

Swarnawahini deal

It is said that Alirajah, a British citizenship holder, had heavily invested in the Bollywood industry.

Details pertaining to his recent investment in the local TV channel – ‘Swarnavahini’ remains under the wraps.

Back then, media reports had revealed that the State Intelligence Service had warned that several directors of the foreign investing company which obtained shares of the EAP owned ‘Swarnavahini’ media network, have direct links with the LTTE.On Nov. 15, 2019, the State Ministry of Defence had informed the TRCSL and the Ministry of Mass Media of this through the document number MOD / TEC / 01 / MGMR Network / 2019 (04).

A portion of the assets belonging to EAP Group of Companies was thus purchased by and on behalf of Ben Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd.

The company has also been able to indirectly obtain 60% ownership of Swarnavahini, violating the laws and regulations of Sri Lanka.  Ben Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd. holds 40% of shares while one Alex Lowell has obtained 20% of shares.

The remaining 40% is owned by Blue Summit Capital.

It was later revealed that Alirajah had provided funds for Ben Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd, Alex Lowell and Blue Summit Capital. to obtain the Swarnawahini shares.
It was also revealed that 03 prominent figures at Ben Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd. have direct links to the LTTE when the company was in the process of purchasing Max TV owned by MGMR Networks.

Before the deal was processed, directors of the purchasing company required a clearance certificate from the Ministry of Defence and this above information was revealed during the clearance process.

However, the security clearance process had not been required during the Swarnawahini deal because the license of the media channel was not a one obtained recently.Alirajah is also said to be a strong financial supporter of the British Conservative Party and former UK Prime Minister – John Major.

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1st stock of imported coconut milk to undergo clearance, lab testing today

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The first consignment of imported coconut milk under the Government’s raw material importation programme is scheduled to undergo clearance and laboratory testing today (31), as part of a coordinated initiative by the Plantation Industries Ministry.

This initiative, approved by the Cabinet, aims to supply essential raw materials to industries linked to the coconut sector, aiming to reduce domestic coconut prices and support local manufacturers. The consignment currently under clearance includes products equivalent to 200 million coconuts. They are in the forms of frozen coconut milk, coconut milk powder and chunked coconut with testa (non-copra), imported as part of the programme initiated in March 2025. The stock will be used primarily in the coconut milk powder industry, which has been facing raw material shortages. The Plantation Industries Ministry expects this move to reduce the pressure on local coconut supplies and contribute to a drop in retail coconut prices.

(dailynews.lk)

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

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BoC employees to strike over unpaid incentives

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Employees of all Bank of Ceylon (BoC) branches have decided to walk out of service at 12.30 pm today (May 29).

The decision has been taken over the current management not taking the initiative to provide them with the 06-month incentive package approved by the Board of Directors, according to the Bank Employees’ Union.

Central Committee member of the Bank Employees’ Union – Najith Wijeratne, stated that they will initiate a token strike if this issue is not resolved by June 06.

BoC employees have also held lunchtime protests yesterday (May 28) in front of 22 branches in major cities islandwide.

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Imported salt released to market

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The National Salt Ltd. says that 2,800 MT of salt imported from India have been released to the market.

It says the food-grade salt stock, which arrived on May 23, is being distributed to the market through local salt sales agents for consumer sale.

The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development states that Lanka Salt Ltd. is importing 10,000 MT of salt, while over 100 importers, including those from Pettah, are bringing in an additional 100,000 MT.

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