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ETI properties sold illegally: Swarnavahini deal also questionable

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The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI), which was appointed to investigate irregularities in the Edirisinghe Trust Investments (ETI), has revealed that ETI properties had been sold illegally.

The PCoI said that money has also been laundered during the sale of the properties.

The commission has indicated that the government can seize the property and take legal action against the Edirisinghe family under the criminal law.

This PCoI was appointed in January 2020 by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to find out if irregularities had taken place when selling properties owned by the ETI group, with the intervention of the Central Bank, to pay back the depositors.

The Commission was headed by former Supreme Court Judge K.T. Chithrasiri and included former Solicitor General Suhada Gamlath and senior banker D.M. Gunasekara.

Meanwhile, this commission has also been entrusted to find out whether the sale of Swarnavahini media network to several companies including Ben Holdings is against the law.

The President has given instructions to relevant departments to take necessary actions regarding the commission’s recommendations.

The office-bearers of Ben Holdings at the time of the purchase of Swarnavahini. 

A threat to national security!

Meanwhile, media reports earlier revealed that the State Intelligence Service had warned that several directors of the foreign investing company which obtained shares of the EAP owned ‘Swarnavahini’ media network, have direct links with the LTTE.

On November 15, 2019, the State Ministry of Defence had informed the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) and the Ministry of Mass Media of this through the document number MOD / TEC / 01 / MGMR Network / 2019 (04).

A portion of the assets belonging to EAP Group of Companies was purchased by Ben Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd.

The company has been able to indirectly obtain 60% ownership of Swarnavahini, violating the laws and regulations of Sri Lanka.  

It was also revealed that three prominent figures at Ben Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd. have direct links to the LTTE when the company was in the process of purchasing Max TV owned by MGMR Networks.

Before the deal was processed, directors of the purchasing company required a clearance certificate from the Ministry of Defence and this information was revealed during the clearance process.

However, the security clearance process had not been required during the Swarnawahini deal because the license of the media channel was not obtained recently.

It was later revealed that Lyca Group Chairman Subaskaran Allirajah had provided funds for Ben Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd, Alex Lowell and Blue Summit Capital to obtain Swarnawahini shares.

Allirajah is also said to be a strong financial supporter of the British Conservative Party and former UK Prime Minister – John Major.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Mirror previously reported that there is a risk of EAP Group of Companies being confiscated based on this situation.

A post is also circulating on social media regarding this information.

The post is shown below

Interesting developments 

Meanwhile, it was interesting to note that the members of Maha Sangha presented Vishwa Keerthi, Sri Abhimana, Sri Janaranjana Deshabhimana award to Lyca Group Chairman Allirajah at the historic Sri Purvarama Vihara, Matara recently.

The award is said to be given on the basis of meritorious service, talent and conducting an exemplary life.

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Landslide warnings issued for 07 districts

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The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide warnings for seven districts due to ongoing adverse weather conditions.

A Level-2 warning has been issued for the Ayagama and Ratnapura areas in the Ratnapura District.

Level-1 warnings have been issued for the following Divisional Secretariat Divisions:

  • Colombo District: Padukka
  • Galle District: Elpitiya
  • Kalutara District: Walallawita, Agalawatte, Palindanuwara, Bulathsinhala, and Mathugama
  • Kandy District: Ganga Ihala Korale
  • Kegalle District: Yatiyanthota, Deraniyagala, Dehiowita
  • Nuwara Eliya District: Ambagamuwa
  • Ratnapura District: Pelmadulla, Eheliyagoda, Nivitigala, Kuruwita, Elapatha, and Kalawana

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Showers expected in parts of the island today

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Showers have been predicted at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces today (June 16), according to the Department of Meteorology.

Fairly heavy rains above 50 mm are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts.

A few showers may occur in the Northern province and in the Anuradhapura district as well.

Strong winds of about 40-50kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-central, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Northwestern provinces and in the Trincomalee district.

The general public has also been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds.

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19-yr.-old dies after hotel elevator collapses

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Moratuwa Police launched an investigation after a 19-year-old youth had died after an electric elevator at a hotel collapsed on June 14.

The deceased is a resident of Arukgoda in Panadura, and was an employee at the Bolgoda Hotel in Moratuwa.

According to reports, the elevator, which was reportedly designated solely for the use of hotel employees, had given away when the youth was inside, injuring him critically. He was rushed to the Panadura Base Hospital but was pronounced dead upon admission.

The management of the hotel has lodged a complaint with the Moratuwa Police regarding the incident. Further investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the elevator collapse.

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