The Financial and Commercial Crime Investigation Division (FCCID) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated an investigation into 22 former Ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) concerning funds they allegedly received from the Presidential Fund between 2008 and 2024.

Police said that 22 files related to the disbursement of these funds were being examined by the CID.

Preliminary investigations revealed that over Rs. Rs. 100 million have been received by the twenty two former Ministers and MPs in various amounts, and investigations are being carried out as to whether any irregularity has occurred in receiving the money.

As part of the investigation, CID officers have sought approval from the Fort Magistrate’s Court on April 2, 2025, to access details of the checks issued from the Presidential Fund account.

Earlier, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa revealed in Parliament that 36 former Ministers and MPs had received Rs. 112.5 million from the Presidential Fund between 2005 and 2024.

Among those named, former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella received Rs. 11 million, former Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne received Rs. 10 million, late Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne received Rs. 30 million, and former MP Ranjith De Zoysa received Rs. 18 million.

Other individuals who reportedly received financial assistance include Vasudewa Nanayakkara, Widura Wickremanayake, Wimala Dissanayake, Sumeda Jayasena, S.B. Nawinna, John Amaratunga, Sarath Amungama, P. Harrison, Piyasena Gamage, Manoj Sirisena, P. Dayaratane, and S.C. Muthukumarana.

(dailymirror.lk)

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

The Ministry of Finance has increased the Tobacco Tax on all ‘Beedi’ products,with effective from yesterday (April 02).

Accordingly, the relevant tax will be increased from Rs. 02 to Rs. 03, resulting in the price hike of a rupee.

Donald Trump announced a sweeping new set of reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday (April 02), arguing that they would allow the United States to succeed.

Trump’s tariffs, which he imposed via executive order, are expected to send economic shockwaves around the world. The White House released a list of roughly 100 countries and the tariff rates that the US would impose in kind.

The tariffs will come into effect on different dates over the next week as follows :

• Today, 00:01 ET (05:01 BST) 25% tariff on all foreign-made automobiles
• April 5 12:01 (ET) (05:01 BST) baseline 10% tariff for all countries
• April 9 12:01 (ET) (05:01 BST) higher reciprocal rates

U.S. stock futures dropped sharply after the announcement, following weeks of volatile trading as investors speculated about how the incoming tariffs might affect the global economy, inflation and corporate earnings. U.S. stocks have erased nearly $5 trillion of value since mid-February.

In the Asian region, tariffs range from Singapore’s relatively low 10% and Philippines’ 17% to 48% on Laos and 49% on Cambodia.

34% tariffs have been imposed on China while 26% tariffs have been imposed on India.

According to the list, Sri Lanka will face 44% tariffs which will be a significant blow as 25% of Sri Lanka’s exports are sent to the US.