News

CID trying to sweep ‘lentil’ probe under rug: Two Aussies write to Prez!

Published

2 months ago

April 4, 2023

editor

Inspector General of Police (CGP) C.D.Wickramaratne has been ordered to launch an immediate investigation into a written complaint made by two Australian citizens to President Ranil Wickremesinghe that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has tried to sweep the investigations related to a fraud of USD 243,610 under the rug.

The letter addressed to the President was sent by Rajaratne Manoj Dushyantha and Maxwell Marvin Perera, the directors of the Australian company Bulk Buy Grains (Aus) Pty Ltd registered at Unit 11, 24-26 Carrick Drive, TULLAMARINE VIC 3043.

The two Australian businessmen had entered into an agreement with a company called Life Australia (Pty) Ltd at the address 52B1,Seewali Mawatha, Kothalawala in Kaduwela to send lentils from Australia to Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, Life Australia (Pty) Ltd has started a business of importing lentils to Sri Lanka, cleaning them, distributing them in Sri Lanka and re-exporting.

Life Australia (Pty) Ltd is said to be owned by Tharanga Sajeevani Perera.

The two Australian businessmen, who were unable to visit Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic, have conducted their business online.

In their letter, they said the Sri Lankan businessman had misplaced 10 containers filled with lentil sent from Australia. They came to Sri Lanka and lodged a complaint at the CID due to non-receipt of money for the containers.

They also said the lentil cleaning plant, which had been built from funds worth Rs.100 million sent by them, is also now missing.

After making a complaint to the Piliyandala Police, the two businessmen went to observe the venue along with the police officers.

A few days later, a man had complained to the Piliyandala Police saying that a group of people had trespassed his property and threatened him.

According to the letter, the CID had conducted investigations properly at the initial stage. However, the investigation officer has been removed from the CID today.

The two businessmen have informed the Australian High Commission, the Minister of Public Security, the Attorney General, the IGP and the Senior DIG (Western Province) in writing about the incident.

They requested the President to ensure that foreign investors are given due protection and treated fairly.

Meanwhile, an investigation carried out by Sri Lanka Mirror revealed that the Australian businessmen have alleged that the police investigation has been suppressed due to the intervention of Samuditha, the son of Sri Lanka Podujana Education Services Union President Wasantha Handapangoda who was arrested over violent incidents on May 9, 2022.

It was reported that Samuditha has exerted undue influence in this manner since he is to wed Tharanga Sajeevani Perera.

The letter sent by the two Australians to the President.

The lentil cleaning plant which is located at 52B1, Seewali Mawatha, Kaduwela.

News

Cabinet green light to ratify Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

Published

14 hours ago

June 6, 2023

editor

Cabinet approval has been granted to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and to take the necessary steps for legislation to enforce the provisions of the agreement.

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Sep. 10, 1996. By the treaty, member states agreed to ban “any nuclear weapons test or other nuclear explosion” anywhere in the world. So far, 186 countries have signed the agreement and 177 countries have ratified the agreement.

Sri Lanka signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty on October 24, 1996. Sri Lanka is currently cooperating with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization in the areas of training, capacity development, data and information sharing. Sri Lanka’s ratification of the treaty would recognize Sri Lanka’s diplomatic role as an active proponent of international peace and security in a world free of nuclear weapons.

According to the government, ratifying the agreement will also enable the country to obtain useful data for civil and scientific purposes that will benefit many developing countries including Sri Lanka, such as tsunami warnings, climate change and geographical studies.

News

Overseas travel ban slapped on Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam

Published

14 hours ago

June 6, 2023

editor

The Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court has issued an overseas travel ban on Ahila Ilankai Thamil Congress (AITC) MP – Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam over the recent incident of verbally abusing police officers during a function, police spokesman – SSP Nihal Thalduwa says.

Yesterday, the magistrate ordered to remand the AITC’s main female organizer in the North – East region, over the incident.

News

Verdict on petition challenging Diana Gamage’s MP seat, postponed

Published

14 hours ago

June 6, 2023

editor

The Court of Appeal has deferred the pronouncement of the verdict on the petition filed seeking an order to annul the Parliamentary seat of State Minister Diana Gamage.

Accordingly, the verdict is expected to be pronounced on the 25th of July.

The petition was called this morning before President of the Court of Appeal Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice A Marikkar.

Court heard arguments pertaining to the petition previously and was expected to announce the verdict today.

The writ petition was filed before the Court of Appeal calling for State Minister Diana Gamage to be stripped of her Parliamentary seat by activist Oshala Herath on the 15th of November 2022.

State Minister Gamage, the Immigration and Emigration Controller, the Minister of Public Security, the General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the National Election Commission and its members, and the General Secretary of Parliament were cited as respondents in the petition.

(newsradio.lk)