News

CCTV cameras purchased for Immigration Dept. 6 years ago yet to be installed

Published

1 year ago

April 10, 2024

editor

The CCTV camera system that had been purchased at a cost of Rs. 2.1 million to be fixed inside the premises of the Department of Immigration and Emigration had been in storage for six years without being installed, the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) revealed.

The revelation came when the Department of Immigration and Emigration was recently summoned before COPA under the chairmanship of State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna.

It was further revealed that while the CCTV system had been purchased in 2017, not all of the equipment needed for installation of the system had been purchased. The officials who were responsible for this purchase have since been transferred.

The COPA Chair noted that some officials in such institutions were reluctant to install CCTV cameras in their institutions. COPA ordered the Department to take immediate steps to install the CCTV system within the institution’s premises under the direction of a committee headed by an additional secretary to the Ministry of Public Security.

COPA also drew attention to the fact that the issuance of e-passports had been delayed by four years though the process commenced in 2020. Officials informed the Committee that the procurement process for the e-passport system was in its final stages. COPA instructed the Department to take immediate steps to expedite the process of setting up the e-passport system.

(sundaytimes.lk)

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

News

Internal disputes delay LG member lists

Published

11 hours ago

May 17, 2025

editor

Due to various issues that have arisen within many political parties during the selection of members for LG bodies, submission of name lists to the Election Commission (EC) are being delayed, reports say.

As a result, the establishment of LG bodies is expected to be delayed further.

In this backdrop, the EC has instructed all political parties and independent groups to submit their name lists within a week.

The gazette on the newly appointed members will follow only after the EC receives all lists.

(Source : Lankadeepa)

News

Ministry cancels Br. Charles’ program at Padeniya temple

Published

11 hours ago

May 17, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs has issued a letter over a program organized by Br. Charles Thomas.

The relevant program is scheduled to be held today (May 17) at the historic Padeniya temple and is allegedly scheduled to be held in a manner that is harmful to Buddhism.

The letter notes that the Deputy Minister has taken steps to cancel the program following complaints from various parties, citing strong displeasure expressed by the local Buddhist community.

News

Applications open for A/L Vocational stream

Published

11 hours ago

May 17, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has announced that applications are now open for admissions for Grade 12 students for the Advanced Level (A/L) Vocational stream subjects.

According to the Ministry, the vocational stream will be offered in 608 schools starting this year.

The Ministry further clarified that students who have not passed the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination will still be eligible to apply, as O/L results will not be a determining factor for admission to this stream.

For this, students need to submit an application to the principal of the school they wish to enroll in.