News

Brown sugar scam exposed!

Published

1 year ago

April 21, 2023

editor

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.

News

3 officers at Angunukolapelessa Prison interdicted after inmates escape

Published

6 hours ago

October 8, 2024

editor

Three officers at the Angunukolapelessa Prison have been interdicted following the escape of four inmates.

The incident had occurred on October 1 when a group of 10 inmates had been taken out of the prison on the instructions of the prison’s main jailor for cleaning duties. Four out of the 10 inmates who were taken out in this manner had subsequently escaped.

The Department of Prisons stated that the main jailor had taken steps to remove these prisoners and have them engage in cleaning duties without the approval of the prison’s superintendent and that he had not informed the superintendent about removing these inmates.

All four escapees had pending court cases against them and they included one inmate serving a 21-year prison sentence while also having two other court cases pending against him.

Three of the inmates were subsequently captured but one remains at large.

As per the recommendations of an initial inquiry conducted by the Assistant Superintendent of the Matara Prison, the main jailor of the Angunukolapelessa Prison who ordered the inmates to be taken out for cleaning duties, the junior jailor who took them out for those duties as well as the prison guard in charge of the cleaning crew have all been interdicted, Prisons Spokesman Gamini B. Dissanayake stated.

(sundaytimes.lk)

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

News

Upcountry trains to end midway due to movie shoot

Published

6 hours ago

October 8, 2024

editor

Due to a joint Indo-Sri Lanka movie being shot on the Nine Arches Bridge, upcountry line trains from Colombo and Kandy will terminate at Ella or Bandarawela from tomorrow (Oct. 09) until October 15th, Sri Lanka Railways state.

Accordingly, trains from 7:30 am – to 5:30 p.m. each day will be affected.

In addition, trains from Badulla will start from Ella or Bandarawela.

News

Amaraweera’s fmr. residence handed over to SBV

Published

6 hours ago

October 8, 2024

editor

Former Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation – Mahinda Amaraweera has handed over his official residence in Paget Road, Colombo to Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya in Colombo, reports say.

He had vacated the premises today (Oct. 08).

Speaking to media, Amaraweera has said that the proposal to hand over the residence to Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya had been granted cabinet approval during the previous government.

He added that all necessary documentation had been completed for the transfer which now allows the school to use the building from today onwards.