News

Company director who defrauded New Rathna Rice released on bail

Published

2 years ago

September 6, 2023

editor

Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage ordered the release of Iresha Trading Pvt Limited Director Asanka Abeywardana, who allegedly defrauded the New Rathna Rice Company of Rs.16 million promising to supply fertilizer, on strict bail conditions yesterday (5).

The Magistrate made this order after considering the bail request made by senior lawyer Ajith Pathirana who represented the suspect.

The Magistrate who ordered the release of the suspect on two sureties of Rs.5 million each ordered that the suspect’s travel abroad be prohibited and the Immigration Controller be informed about the order.

The order was made by the Magistrate who considered the suspect’s agreement to pay Rs.500,000 in the open court and to pay the remaining amount before October 10.

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) gave information regarding the suspect, and the Magistrate made the order by examining the suspect online since he was in remand prison.

The CCD informed the court that the fraud has been committed by the suspect claiming that chemical fertilizer will be provided in June.

The police informed the court that a comprehensive investigation has been launched into the incident and more suspects are to be arrested.

The Magistrate ordered that the court be informed of the progress of the investigation in the coming days.

Source – Dinamina

News

Seat belt compulsory for bus drivers from today

Published

17 minutes ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has announced that starting today (July 01), it will be mandatory for all bus drivers to wear seat belts, with strict penalties for non-compliance.

Under the MotorTraffic Act, bus drivers are legally required to wear seat belts, but a rise in accidents due to drivers ignoring this rule has prompted the authorities to re-enforce it.

Police confirmed that action will be taken against drivers who fail to comply.

Seat belts to be made mandatory for all passengers in expressways

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport has also stated that wearing seat belts will be made mandatory to all passengers of light vehicles travelling on expressways from August 01, 2025.

Meanwhile, wearing seat belts will also be mandatory to all passengers of all vehicles on expressways from September 01, 2025.

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake also confirmed the directive while speaking to media this morning (July 01) during an inspection tour at the Colombo Central Bus Stand.

BIZ

End of parate relief for large SMEs

Published

25 minutes ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The grace period granted to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) under Sri Lanka’s Parate Execution Law officially ended midnight yesterday (June 30) for businesses with loans exceeding Rs. 50 million.

The Parate Law grants banks the authority to seize properties pledged as collateral without court proceedings. Although its implementation had been suspended for three months by the current administration—and for six months earlier under former President Ranil Wickremesinghe—it has now been reinstated, triggering serious concern among entrepreneurs.

Deputy Minister of Economic Development – Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando has stated that the government intends to hold discussions with all relevant parties in the coming days to address the issues linked to the law’s reimplementation.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader – Sajith Premadasa has warned that the re-implementation of the Parate Execution Law could lead to the rapid auctioning of assets from small, medium, and micro businesses, putting them at risk.

In a statement yesterday (June 30), he emphasized that these businesses contribute over 50% to Sri Lanka’s Gross Domestic Production (GDP) and employ over 04 million people.

News

Ex-SriLankan Airlines chief produced before court

Published

36 minutes ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by prison officials today (July 01).

Wickramasinghe was arrested last week by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and is currently in remand custody,