News

Chinese suspects in Kaluwamodara arrested by Chinese Police!

Published

1 year ago

April 3, 2023

editor

It was reported that the raid in Kaluwamodara, Aluthgama to arrest 39 Chinese nationals, including three wanted suspects, was organized by the Chinese Police through the Chinese Embassy.

State-owned Dinamina newspaper reported that a group of officials of the Chinese Police attached to the Interpol have arrived in the country to conduct the raid along with the Chinese Embassy.

According to police, 33 men, five women, and a small child were among those taken into custody.

Six Chinese nationals, including the three wanted suspects on red notice, have been subjected to strict supervision and questioning by the officials of the Chinese Embassy.

They have been accused of large scale financial fraud in China.

Six of the suspects have said during interrogation that they were forcibly detained in Sri Lanka.

These 39 Chinese nationals have been staying in the tourist resort for about 6 months on tourist visas.

A senior police officer said that it appears that these Chinese nationals were brought to Sri Lanka in an organized manner and were given laptops and mobile phones to get them involved in online scams.

According to the information received by the Chinese Embassy, this scam was operated by another group of Chinese nationals.

The suspects had in their possession 40 laptop computers, 120 mobile phones and several other computer accessories.

At the time of arrest, the suspects did not even have any passports. Investigations revealed that those who operated the scam may have kept the passports with them.

Source – Dinamina

News

Concessionary vehicle import permits granted to retired government & judicial officials

Published

17 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Senior government and judicial officials who have retired on completion of 60 years of age and those who were sent on compulsory retirement without extension are eligible to obtain a vehicle import permit under concessionary rates of duty.

This was according to a circular issued by the Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry.

Officers who have retired on completion of 60 years of age during the period from extending the age of compulsory retirement to 65 years and reducing the age of compulsory retirement to 60 years introduced by the Ministry in 2022 are eligible for the permits subject to other requirements as set out in the regulations.

The decision to grant vehicle import permits for retired senior government officials came following a Cabinet decision on March 11.

Among the eligible officials are retired officials from Class I of an All Island Service or a Departmental Service, Special Grade of Government Registered and Assistant Medical Officers’ Service, Government Dental Surgeon in Grade I and retired senior judicial officers.

The circular dated April 25 was issued by Secretary to the Ministry Pradeep Yasarathne. The Secretary was unavailable for comment yesterday.

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

News

SLC doubles test players’ payments to boost morale

Published

18 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a significant increase in payments for Sri Lanka’s Test players, effectively doubling their compensation.

The decision, made by SLC, is aimed at fostering greater enthusiasm among Test players and emphasizing the importance of Test cricket, the governing body stated.

The increased payments will be implemented based on the match contracts of each player, in accordance with SLC guidelines.

As a result of this adjustment, the total payment for a Test player per international match will now amount to approximately USD 15,000, which is around Rs. 4,450,000.

News

India to cover tax costs for Sri Lanka-India passenger ferry service

Published

19 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

The Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS).

The passenger ferry service, which was launched in October 2023 by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), will tentatively resume on May 13, 2024. It will be operated by a private operator, IndSri Ferry Services, selected by SCI in consultation with the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL).

In order to make the service affordable and attractive for passengers, the Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year.

Similarly, the GOSL has reduced the deviation tax currently charged from passengers leaving Sri Lanka by passenger vessels and ships.

It should be recalled that the Government of India has also extended a grant assistance of USD 63.65 million to the GOSL for the rehabilitation of the KKS Harbour, which was earlier envisaged to be undertaken under a Line of Credit.

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