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

This week’s Cabinet decisions

Published

3 hours ago

April 26, 2024

editor

A number of decisions have been taken at the Cabinet meeting held yesterday (April 25).

The decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers are as follows :

CabinetDecision_E24_04_25 Download

News

Salley, leading figure behind Zahran – Fonseka (Video)

Published

4 hours ago

April 26, 2024

editor

Former Army commander Sarath Fonseka told Parliament today (April 26) that the person who had groomed the main Easter Sunday suicide bomber – Zahran Hashim, is the current head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Maj Gen (Rtd.) Suresh Salley.

Although Salley is currently trying to wash his hands off the matter, he cannot escape this, MP Fonseka said.

‘When I was there, I had removed Salley from the SIS. But he was made SIS head by Gotabaya after my departure. Then, Boniface Perera, who was Salley’s right hand man, was made the Eastern Commander. If he starts to slander me again, I will release this file to social media, which will portray what kind of man he truly is. Such people were in contact with Zahran and made him a hero,’ he said.

MP Fonseka also said that Salley had recently said that he wasn’t in the country when the attacks took place. He cannot escape the responsibility by saying he wasn’t in the country, not with the present technology available, the MP added.

He has also said that the process of identifying and nabbing a terrorist cannot be done through commissions and committees and it is the officers Intelligence services and the CID who have the relevant capacity and experience in such matters.

MP Fonseka further said that strict punishments should be given to those who were responsible for the Easter Sunday bombings and who evaded responsibility.

If we secure power, I am confident that the perpetrators can be brought to justice within a year, he further said.

Today is the final day of the three-day adjournment debate on the 2019 Easter attacks.

(Video : VoiceTube)

BIZ

2 companies from Russia & India to take over MRIA management

Published

4 hours ago

April 26, 2024

editor

Accordingly, the Cabinet approval has been granted to hand over the management of MRIA to Shaurya Aeronautics Pvt. Ltd of India and Airports of Regions Management Company of Russia or an affiliated company thereof for a period of 30 years.

Earlier during a Cabinet meeting held on Jan. 09, 2023, approval was granted to invite EOIs from interested parties for utilizing the facilities of the MRIA.

EOIs have been called, for which 05 institutions have submitted offers for the purpose.