News

COPE calls to appoint committee to probe irregularities of CCF

Published

3 weeks ago

March 8, 2023

editor

In order to investigate the matters raised by the special audit report on the functioning of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) and to examine the progress of the implementation of recommendations given by COPE, a committee meeting was held yesterday (07) under the chairmanship of (Prof.) Ranjith Bandara.

The Internal Inquiry Committee appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry to investigate the matters raised in the said Special Audit Report for the purpose of reporting to COPE was discussed at length.

Furthermore, in the last meeting, there was a discussion at length about holding the meetings of the governing council of the Central Cultural Fund and whether the funds have been properly spent, and the committee members had agreed to discuss the validity of the 209th meeting of the governing council in this meeting.

Accordingly, the Auditor General pointed out that only 07 of the 11 members have agreed to the decisions of the 209th meeting and 04 including the former Prime Minister have not signed. Stating that there is a discrepancy between the signatures used by the 07 signatories on the signature list of this meeting and the signatures used by them in the previous governing board meetings, the Auditor General pointed out that the decisions of the 209th governing board meeting have not been adopted in the 210th meeting.

The Auditor General also stated that the then Prime Minister’s Secretary and the current President’s Secretary, who were members of the relevant governing body, confirmed that he was not a party to such a meeting.

Accordingly, followed by extensive discussion, the COPE Chair gave the following recommendations to the Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.
Appointment of a committee headed by a retired court judge to investigate the issues raised by the special audit report of the Central Cultural Fund for the period 2015 – 2019.

Dissolution of the singular internal investigation committee for the purpose of reporting to COPE appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry to investigate the matters raised in the said Special Audit Report.

To check the validity of the signature list of the 209th meeting, to refer the list to the Criminal Investigation Department and the Government Inspector.

Recall the Central Cultural Fund before the Committee to review the progress of the recommendations made by COPE on the matters raised by the Special Audit Report on the functioning of the Fund.

To make the report of the new committee proposed which is to be appointed to investigate the functioning of the Central Cultural Fund and present it before COPE within 03 months.

In addition to this, the committee members focused on the future plans of COPE, and the institutions that should be prioritized. The Chair mentioned that he had already discussed it with the Auditor General. Accordingly, the chair mentioned that investigations will be carried out by sub-committees through a cluster committee system and a system of calling only the institutions with essential and current importance to the main committee will be facilitated.

News

Won’t allow any breach of law & order during my tenure – President

Published

1 hour ago

April 1, 2023

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that during his presidency, no one will be allowed to breach the law and order of the country. He emphasized that he will prioritize doing what is right over doing what is popular, and that presenting popular ideas can lead to the destruction of the country.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said this during his address to the Tri Forces & Police officers and other rankers at the Air Force Base, Anuradhapura, as the Commander in Chief of the armed forces.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe asserted that no one is entitled to engage in violent protests on the streets, but all political parties have the right to express their opinions or criticize him in a peaceful manner.

He emphasized the importance of doing the right thing, and mentioned that they presented the International Monetary Fund agreement to the parliament to assess whether the parliamentarians had the courage to make the right decisions for the betterment of the country.

The President referred to the International Monetary Fund agreement as an example and expressed his expectation for everyone’s assistance in making the IMF program successful. He also stated that if the country adopts a fresh approach and embarks on a new journey, it can achieve significant development within the next 25 years.

The President asserted that Sri Lanka will win the economic war, similar to the successful fight against terrorism, adding that measures would be taken to establish economic independence in the country.

The President acknowledged that the armed forces and police will continue to play a crucial role in achieving economic independence, and also assessed the actions of the armed forces and police in maintaining law and order during the previous year.

The President expressed gratitude towards the armed forces for fulfilling their responsibility, as without their efforts, Sri Lanka would have become an anarchic state. He also mentioned that the ongoing competition between world powers is affecting the Indian Ocean, and he intends to take action as the President to protect Sri Lanka from this influence.

The President emphasized that future military situations can be shaped by technology and knowledge, unlike in the past. He highlighted the need for the armed forces and police to be equipped with modern technology and knowledge to overcome future challenges. The President initiated the Defence 2030 program, aiming to strengthen the defence forces of Sri Lanka.

The President also announced that stringent laws will be introduced to combat the drug scourge, and no amnesty will be granted to drug offenders.

The President said that he had instructed the Minister of Law and Order Tiran Alles, and Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksha to take strict action against such offenders and to utilize the support of the armed forces in this effort.

Minister of State for Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Mr Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence GeneralKamal Gunaratne (Rtd), Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshan Pathirana, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Inspector General of Police Mr. C.D. Wickramaratne and around 1200 other rankers of the Tri Forces and Police were present on this occasion.

News

39 Chinese nationals arrested over online financial fraud

Published

1 hour ago

April 1, 2023

editor

At least 39 Chinese nationals have been arrested by the Aluthgama police in connection with an online financial fraud.

Police said the suspects had defrauded millions of money over several months through the internet from the accounts of people in different countries.

The group had been staying in a tourist resort in the Kaluamodara area in Aluthgama and Police said they were arrested based on complaints received through several embassies.

While the arrested Chinese nationals were taken to the Alutgama police, several smartphones and cash in their possession were also taken into custody by police.

(dailymirror.lk)

News

2 students killed during big match vehicle parade

Published

1 hour ago

April 1, 2023

editor

Two students were killed and seven others injured after a cab toppled during the vehicle parade held in view of the big match between Uva Paranagama Maha Vidyalaya and Dharmadutha College this afternoon, Police said.

The injured were admitted to the Badulla Hospital.

The accident occurred when the vehicles paraded around the ground during the match.

Further investigations are underway