The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has revealed alarming irregularities at the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), including the migration of 683 underage individuals as domestic workers between May 2023 and June 2024.
The findings were disclosed during a recent COPE meeting at the Parliament Complex.
– Underage Migrants: 683 underage persons were sent abroad as domestic workers due to ad hoc and irregular procedures. – Training Revenue Loss: The SLBFE incurred a loss of Rs 631.1 million by failing to provide mandatory residential training to 28,165 first-time migrant domestic workers. – Tourist Visa Abuse: 4,942 domestic workers were sent abroad on tourist visas, bypassing proper channels. – Financial Mismanagement: The SLBFE spent excessively on renting and purchasing shops for programs, including Rs 500,000 for a shop in Jaffna and Rs 12.5 million for 25 shops, based on recommendations from the Ministry Secretary.
The final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks has been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala has confirmed that Secretary to the President – Nandika Sanath Kumanayake handed over the report.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched an investigation into a photo circulating on social media, allegedly showing the sacred tooth relic during the ongoing special exposition – ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’ in Kandy.
According to Police Headquarters, the circulating image is seemingly an image taken by a devotee who attended the exposition, which is being held until April 27.
The police emphasises that devotees are not permitted to take photos or use their phones.
In this backdrop, the CID is investigating to ascertain whether the circulating photo was indeed taken during the ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’ exposition, and whether it was a photo captured by someone or whether it is merely an edited image.
The CID investigation has been launched on the instructions of the Acting Inspector General of Police.
A Brazilian national was arrested by the Narcotics Control Unit at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) early this (April 20) morning over attempting to smuggle nearly 05 kg of cocaine concealed in his suitcase.
The suspect is a 59-year-old Brazilian teacher and the seized cocaine (4kg and 855g) is valued around Rs. 240 million.