News

CBSL issues prohibition order on man over pyramid scheme

Published

3 years ago

October 26, 2022

editor

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has issued a prohibition order on a resident of Polonnaruwa named Hettiarachchilage Sahan Akalanka for accepting cash deposits from the people without any CBSL approval.

Sahan Akalanka, the Director of Athens International Education Center (Pvt.) Ltd., residing at No. 45/5 A, Second Cross Street, New Town, Polonnaruwa, has accepted cash deposits from the public without the approval of the Central Bank, an investigation conducted under Section 42 of the Finance Business Act, No. 42 of 2011 has revealed.

Accordingly, the Monetary Board of the CBSL has ordered the concerned company and the individual not to continue accepting deposits and carrying out monetary transactions through the issuance of memorandums of understanding or in any other way.

The CBSL has already prohibited this company and individual from receiving deposits or money, granting loans, making new investments, selling or transferring assets, and conducting all transactions related to any account, property or investment.

Information revealed that Sahan Akalanka has accepted more than Rs.3,000 million as deposits from over 1,000 people all over the country.

Many aggrieved people have held protests outside his office in Polonnaruwa and in several other cities due to his unauthorized money acceptance process which has been carried out in the form of a pyramid scheme.

The suspect has accepted deposits from people claiming to give interest of up to 90 per cent, and the depositors have complained to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding non-repayment of the money or interest.

He had also paid several TV channels to get programmes broadcast in order to promote his unauthorized financial institution.

News

12-hr water cut in several areas of Colombo

Published

18 hours ago

May 23, 2025

editor

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced a 12-hour water cut from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday (May 25) in several areas, including Colombo, due to essential maintenance work at the Ambatale Water Treatment Plant.

Due to this, the public is urged to make prior arrangements and store an adequate supply of water to avoid inconvenience during the period of the suspension.

Accordingly, the water cut will affect the following areas:

Colombo 01 to Colombo 15
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Kaduwela
Battaramulla
Kolonnawa
Kotikawatta
Mulleriyawa
IDH (Infectious Diseases Hospital) area
Maharagama
Dehiwala
Mount Lavinia
Ratmalana and Moratuwa

News

Investigations underway to arrest 20 criminals hiding overseas

Published

18 hours ago

May 23, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Public Security states that investigations are underway to arrest 20 members of major organized crime gangs currently hiding overseas.

Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that Interpol has already issued red notices for their arrest and that the countries where these criminals are hiding have been identified.

He added that investigations into the group have been expanded in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since the new government came to power, 11 members of organized crime gangs hiding abroad have been brought back to the island and produced before courts.

Meanwhile, operations to arrest members of organized crime gangs involved in various criminal activities, including murder and drug trafficking, within the country are also ongoing.

The Minister added that the Police Special Task Force and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are jointly conducting investigations into the allegations against them.

News

Ex-Minister Duminda Dissanayake arrested

Published

18 hours ago

May 23, 2025

editor

Former Minister and Anuradhapura District Organiser of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) – Duminda Dissanayake, has been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the discovery of a gold-colored T-56 assault rifle at a luxury apartment complex in Havelock Town, Wellawatte.

The firearm, found earlier this week, led to the arrest of 03 suspects, based on information revealed during interrogations conducted in connection with the incident.