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Brown sugar scam exposed!

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Brown sugar issued by Lanka Sugar Company (Pvt) Ltd (LSCPL) to be distributed among low-income families at subsidized prices has been sold to the private sector using the names of cooperative societies, it was reported.

The stocks of brown sugar produced by Sewanagala and Pelwatte sugar companies under the LSCPL are being given to cooperative societies for the distribution among the low-income families.

During the last tender, the LSCPL has sold a kilo of red sugar to private buyers at 340 rupees, while a kilo was sold to cooperative societies for 300 rupees.

It is said that the stocks of sugar obtained by the cooperative societies have been sold to the private sector at higher prices.

However, the private buyers said that the cooperative societies that issue sugar for a lower price are selected with political backing.

On March 7, a letter had been forwarded to the LSCPL stating that a sum of Rs.14.3 million was deposited to procure 50,000 kg of sugar in the name of the Hasalaka Cooperative Society Limited and that two lorries will be sent on March 8.

However, the Hasalaka Cooperative Society Limited said that it never ordered such a consignment of sugar.

Accordingly, the parties connected to this scam had earned an undue profit of Rs.2 million or more, from this transaction alone.

Similarly, 700 stocks of sugar have been sent under the name of cooperative societies in Habaraduwa and Ihala Lelwala in Galle and the scammers had fraudulently profited from this as well.

The LSCPL said that action will be taken if it is confirmed that a sugar scam had taken place.

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Weather Alert: Showers to ease in Southwest, strong winds forecast in North

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Prevailing showery condition in the southwestern part of the island is expected to reduced gradually from today (01st)

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota and Trincomalee districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

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Aluthgamage and Fernando assigned printing work in prison

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Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando, sentenced this week to jail for 20 and 25 years, respectively, have been assigned duties in the printing section at the Welikada prison, sources said.

Both of them are being held together away from the main section of the prison’s ‘chapel’ section, where prisoners serving life sentences and those convicted of murder and rape are held. The prison’s printing section prints its own documentation.

Prison sources said that in placing them in relevant wards to serve their jail term, the authorities had taken into consideration the security of the two convicts, as they might have had political enemies.

Mr Aluthgamage was handed a 20-year term of rigorous imprisonment, while Mr Fernando was given a 25-year term of rigorous imprisonment by a High Court trial-at-bar after being found guilty of causing a Rs 53 million loss to the state.

They were accused of importing carrom boards and checkers boards through Sathosa during the 2015 presidential elections and distributing them to clubs.

Their lawyers said yesterday they were awaiting the certified copy of the judgement to prepare the appeal papers. The appeal will be considered by the Supreme Court.

(sundaytimes.lk)
(This story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

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The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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