News

DMC to introduce tsunami warning ringtone!

Published

8 months ago

April 27, 2023

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The Disaster Management Center (DMC) has taken steps to introduce a ringtone for mobile phones to inform the public in case of a tsunami threat.

Since 99.9 percent of Sri Lankans have mobile phones, DMC Director General Major General (retired) Sudantha Ranasinghe said tsunami warnings will be informed through a ringtone.

He said that the DMC is working together with mobile service providers in this regard.

Since the majority of people are sleeping between 1 and 4 am, he said a system will be set up to ring all mobile phones if a tsunami warning is received.

Mr. Athula Senaratne, the former Head of the Department of Geology of Peradeniya University, said recently that if the tsunami warning signal towers established in the coastal areas are not properly working, a dangerous situation may arise in the future.

Meanwhile, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau Director General (Acting) M. M. J. P. Ajith Prema said that there have been 48 tremors in Sri Lanka since 2020.

Speaking at a news conference held at the Government Information Department yesterday (26), the Acting Director General said that 16 tremors were reported in 2020, 18 in 2021, five in 2022, and nine earthquakes in 2023.

He said that many of these tremors are minor and that the causes affecting the periodic occurrence of tremors will be looked into.

This year, there were two tremors in the Buttala area on February 10. Tremors were also reported in Wellawaya on February 11th, Buttala and Wellawaya area on February 22nd, Kirinda area on March 18th, Gomarankadawala area on March 19th, and Sella Katharagama on March 24, Beruwala sea area on March 30th, Monaragala area on April 12th, and Hambantota area on April 24th.

News

Parliament votes to debate VAT bill today

Published

14 mins ago

December 11, 2023

editor

The Sri Lankan Parliament has voted to debate the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill on today (Nov. 11).

The ruling party proposed that the VAT (Amendment) Bill be taken up for debate today, following the third reading of the appropriation bill.

However, as the opposition rejected the government’s move, the Speaker of parliament decided to call for a vote on whether the VAT (Amendment) Bill will be taken up for debate today.

Accordingly, a vote took place shortly after 9:30 am, with 92 votes in favour, 41 votes against and 01 abstention.

Earlier, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in a statement announced that they will vote against the VAT Bill.

News

Kataragama chief custodian & grandson missing during Tiran’s visit

Published

48 mins ago

December 11, 2023

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The chief custodian (Kapu Mahattaya) of the Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya and his grandson (who is currently the custodian in charge of the Devala store room), have disappeared from Kataragama, reports say.

Last week, the Attorney General instructed to arrest the duo over a 38-pound gold offering that had gone missing from the Devalaya. The offering had been made by the wife of former underworld leader – Angoda Lokka.

Accordingly, the chief custodian – Dhurandara Somipala Ratnayake and his grandson – Saman Priyantha or Chuti Kapu Mahathaya, who is in charge of the temple’s storeroom, are to be arrested.

Meanwhile, the duo had not turned up when the Acting IGP – Deshabandu Tennakoon and Minister of Public Security – Tiran Alles had visited the Kiri Vehera and Kataragama Devalaya on Dec. 09 for religious observances.

Only 03 other custodians had been present at the Devalaya during that time.

A custodian had informed higher officials that the duo had recently left for another province, with plans to appear in courts through lawyers’ intervention and amid political support.

News

Consumer Protection Act to be amended to prosecute rice hoarders

Published

53 mins ago

December 11, 2023

editor

The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) is to be amended in a bid to prosecute rice hoarders, reports say.

The current provisions of the CPA only allows officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority to inspect and prosecute persons and institutions who sell at higher prices.

It does not empower the CAA officers to prosecute persons hiding rice or other foodstuffs or to inspect such places.

This has been discussed at a Cabinet meeting and the state owned ‘Daily News’ reports that necessary amendments of this Act will be submitted to the Cabinet next month.

(Source : dailynews.lk)