Connect with us

News

Court orders immediate arrest of RMV officers

Published

on

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage yesterday (31) ordered the Intelligence Investigation Unit of the Commission to Investigate the Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Colombo to immediately arrest all officials of the Motor Traffic Department (formerly RMV) and those others who were involved in the illegal import of vehicles depriving the Government of over Rs.10 billion in tax money.

The Court ordered the arrest of all the officials who illegally entered data into the information system of the Motor Traffic Department (RMV), as well as the officers who registered them and those who illegally imported these vehicles.

The Court also ordered this division of the Commission to seize six jeeps worth Rs.100 million imported into Sri Lanka depriving the government of Sri Lanka of over Rs.300 million in tax money.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate ordered these be handed over to the Director General of Customs.

When this case was taken up before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s court, the Bribery Commission, which appeared in court on behalf of the plaintiff, stated that it had been revealed that several high officials of the Motor Traffic Department were also involved in the issuance of illegal number plates.

The Chief Magistrate issued this order under the Section 120 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in relation to three Mitsubishi Jeeps and three Toyota Jeeps that were not cleared by the Sri Lanka Customs.

The Magistrate made this order after taking a request made by the Bribery Commission into consideration. The Commission sought an order to hand over the relevant vehicles currently in the custody of civilians to the Sri Lankan Customs for investigation in relation to Sections 136 and 137 of the Customs Ordinance.

The Investigation Unit of the Commission reported the incident to the court stating that the government has lost this amount by not adopting proper clearance procedure by the Sri Lankan customs during the import process of these luxury vehicles.

The Bribery Commission informed the court that these six vehicles are currently owned by several residents of Galle, Avissawella, Kuruvita, Trincomalee and Kaduwela.

The Commission also informed the court that one of the vehicles which was brought to Sri Lanka without being properly cleared by the Sri Lankan Customs under the guise of importing other goods by feeding the false information to the computer data system of the Motor Traffic Department.

Investigations have so far confirmed that about 200 luxury vehicles have been imported into Sri Lanka without proper clearance from the Sri Lankan Customs by submitting false information to the computer data system of the Motor Traffic Department and the same unit has presented the facts to the court on December 8, 2023.

The Bribery Commission filed indictments in Colombo High Court against seven persons, including five officials of the Motor Transport Department, accusing them of depriving the government of tax money by removing the data of a three-wheeler and replacing it with a car of the ‘Mini Cooper’ type on December 22.

(dailynews.lk)

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

News

SL temporarily stops sending workers to Israel

Published

on

By

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment – Arundika Hemantha stated that Sri Lanka has temporarily suspended sending workers to Israel.
Speaking at a press conference held in Colombo today (June 16), the Deputy Minister said the decision was made as a precautionary measure due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

“This is a temporary suspension of sending workers to Israel for foreign employment. Depending on how the situation develops over the next few days, we will take further decisions,” he stated.

He also urged Sri Lankan citizens currently in Israel and Iran to stay in touch with the respective Sri Lankan embassies. “We have shared the necessary contact numbers, and if any Sri Lankan faces a difficult situation, they can reach out without hesitation. Our top priority is the safety of our citizens,” he added.

Continue Reading

News

SC hears contempt case against Ilukpitiya

Published

on

By

The contempt of court case filed against Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Harsha Illukpitiya, who is currently in remand custody, was taken up for hearing before the Supreme Court today (16).

The hearing was conducted before a three-judge bench comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Janak de Silva, and Arjuna Obeysekera.

The first witness to give evidence was Supreme Court Registrar Aravinda Gunaratne. Under the direction of President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran—who is one of the petitioners—Registrar Gunaratne testified that three Fundamental Rights petitions are currently pending before the Supreme Court, challenging the electronic visa (e-Visa) issuance process. 

He stated that interim injunctions had been issued by the Court in this regard on August 2, 2023.

He further noted that the respondent, Controller General Harsha Illukpitiya, had subsequently filed an affidavit informing the Court of difficulties in implementing the said orders. 

Following testimony from officials of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, contempt of court charges were filed against Ilukpitiya for non-compliance.

Subsequent evidence was also recorded from a representative of Sri Lanka Mobitel, which was involved in the e-Visa issuance process.

During the proceedings, President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris, appearing for the respondent, requested the Court to issue an order to summon several files from the Department of Immigration and Emigration relevant to the case. The bench granted the request and directed the Department to submit the files in a sealed envelope to the Court Registrar.

Accordingly, the hearing was adjourned until July 1.

Previously, the Supreme Court had issued an interim injunction ordering the reinstatement of the previous visa issuance system. This followed a decision made by the Cabinet under the former administration to transfer the e-Visa process to two private entities—an action now under legal scrutiny.

Harsha Illukpitiya was remanded on September 25, 2024, after being charged with contempt of court for failing to comply with the interim injunction. His bail application was subsequently denied.

The petitions were filed by former Members of Parliament Patali Champika Ranawaka, M.A. Sumanthiran, and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader and MP Rauff Hakeem.

(adaderana.lk)

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

Continue Reading

News

President’s Fund recognizes GCE A/L top achievers

Published

on

By

The President’s Fund has organized a provincial-level awards programme to honour outstanding students who excelled in the 2023/2024 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examinations at the district level.

Under this initiative, 60 top-performing students from each district selected based on exceptional results across all subject streams will receive financial scholarships and certificates of achievement. 

The selection process is conducted in collaboration with the Department of Examinations and the University Grants Commission (UGC), using official results published for the 2023/2024 exams.

The first phase of this programme will recognize distinguished students from the Northern Province who achieved top results in the 2023 A/L examinations. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Kilinochchi on June 22, 2025, with all preparations now finalized.

Accordingly, the exceptional students from the districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya who performed remarkably in the 2023 GCE Advanced Level Examination will be honoured at the event.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway to hold award ceremonies in the other provinces shortly as well.

(President’s Media Division)

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved