News

Chinese national arrested in SL is a wanted man in China

Published

2 years ago

May 29, 2023

editor

Sri Lanka’s Attorney General told the country’s Court of Appeal that the Chinese man who was arrested by the Immigration and Emigration Department for the possession of a fake passport, is a wanted person in China.

He told the court that a warrant for his arrest had been issued by the Chinese Government.

On the 22nd of May 2023, it was reported that a Chinese national suspected of having used a forged passport in an attempt to enter Sri Lanka was set to be deported, and that he was later allowed to enter the country via the Katunayake Airport following intervention.

On the 18th of May 2023, two Chinese nationals and an Egyptian had arrived in Sri Lanka from Dubai and one of the Chinese men had produced a Guinea passport at the Katunayake Airport.

Immigration and Emigration officers at the BIA had denied entry to the Chinese national upon deciding that the passport he produced was forged.

It was then that State Minister Arundhika Fernando had intervened with the incident.

On the 19th of May 2023, the State Minister had addressed a letter to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration informing that the Chinese national had arrived in Sri Lanka to discuss a housing project that will be launched under his ministry.

The State Minister had requested that the Chinese man be allowed to enter Sri Lanka upon considering his Chinese passport.

“The Chinese company based in Sri Lanka said that he is a genuine person, and he possesses a Chinese passport. They said that they will be responsible with regard to any punishment imposed on him, or on the decision to deport him. Therefore, I spoke to the Controller of Immigration and Emigration. I asked if it is possible to allow him to enter the country, using the Chinese passport. I addressed the letter on his advice and I did not influence him in any way,” explained the State Minister.

State Minister Arundika Fernando said that later was made aware that a Chinese national cannot use two passports.

On the 24th of May 2023, the Controller General of the Immigration and Emigration Department, Harsha Ilukpitiya, said that INTERPOL confirmed that the Guinea Passport that was in the possession of the Chinese National was forged.

The Controller General of the Immigration and Emigration Department, Harsha Ilukpitiya, said that the Chinese Passport is a genuine document.

On Tuesday (23), the Chinese National, who arrived in Sri Lanka on the 18th of May with two passports, was arrested.

The Controller General of the Immigration and Emigration Department, Harsha Ilukpitiya, later said that the Chinese National was arrested, and investigations are underway with assistance from the Chinese Embassy and INTERPOL.

(newsfirst.lk)

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

News

Solar power tariffs revised

Published

8 hours ago

June 22, 2025

editor

The Cabinet has approved a revision of tariffs for newly contracted solar energy systems in Sri Lanka, effective from June 16, 2025.

According to a letter issued by the Ministry of Energy dated June 20, the updated rates are as follows:

Rs. 20.90 per unit for systems up to 5 kilowatts (kW)
Rs. 19.61 per unit for systems between 5 kW and 20 kW
Rs. 17.46 per unit for systems between 20 kW and 100 kW

These revised rates will apply to all applicants who pay the system clearance fees on or after June 16, 2025. The new tariffs will also be valid for extension requests submitted on or after that date.

(dailynews.lk)

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

News

Army denies social media claims fraudulent officer removals

Published

8 hours ago

June 22, 2025

editor

The Sri Lanka Army has dismissed recent social media claims suggesting a group of officers is being fraudulently removed using forged documents.

In a statement, the Army said the allegations are completely false stating that such assertions stem from a fundamental lack of understanding regarding military administrative protocols.

The allegations are aimed at damaging the institution’s reputation in the eyes of the public.

While confirming that no removals have taken place without proper procedures or the approval of the President, the statement asserts that the Army is committed to transparency while safeguarding national security.

Army_PR Download

News

A/L top achievers in North, felicitated (Pics)

Published

8 hours ago

June 22, 2025

editor

Three hundred students from the Northern Province who excelled in all subject streams of the 2023 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) Examination will each receive a grant of Rs. 100,000 from the President’s Fund.

As part of a newly launched initiative to honour high-performing students at the district level for the 2023/2024 G.C.E. A/L Examination, the President’s Fund hosted an award ceremony this morning (22) at the Iranamadu Nelum Piyasa Auditorium in the Northern Province.

During the event, 300 students from the districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya, specifically 60 students per district, with the top 10 students from each subject stream, were recognised and presented with financial awards for their outstanding academic performance. The President’s Fund has allocated a total of Rs. 30 million for this initiative, which is expected to be extended to all districts in the future.

Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, addressed the gathering and noted that following the formation of the new government, the President’s Fund has been restructured and expanded under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka. He emphasised that the Fund now operates with increased transparency, correcting past irregularities to ensure benefits are directed to the truly deserving. Dr. Kumanayake also mentioned ongoing efforts to digitise the Fund and decentralise its services to improve accessibility and efficiency.

He further highlighted that education is the key to a successful life and urged the students to take full advantage of the support provided, pursue academic excellence, become responsible citizens and contribute positively to the country’s development.
Also addressing the event were Speaker (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne and Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar.

A vote of thanks was delivered by Abhishek, a student from Jaffna Hindu College, who expressed heartfelt appreciation to the President and the President’s Fund. He described the programme as a valuable opportunity for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue higher education and achieve their goals.

In attendance at the ceremony were Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Development Upali Samarasinghe, Members of Parliament K. Ilankumaran, Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy and M. Jagadeeswaran, along with other public representatives. Also present were Mr. Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary of the President’s Fund, senior officials from the Fund, government officers, heads of security forces, parents and students.

(President’s Media Division)