News

Foreign travel ban on Keheliya, Chandrapala & Rubasinghe

Published

10 months ago

November 23, 2022

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The Colombo High Court Yesterday (22) served indictments on three persons including Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who are accused of causing a loss to the State by buying GI pipes for the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) when he was the Media Minister.

The other suspects are former SLRC Director Chandrapala Liyanage and its Chairman Wimalasena Rubasinghe.

High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe ordered the accused to pay cash bail of Rs.20,000 each and two sureties of Rs.500,000 each.

He also imposed a foreign travel ban on the accused until the case is completed and ordered the passports be handed over to the court.

The High Court judge ordered the judicial police to release Minister Rambukwella as soon as possible since he had to attend Parliament to cast vote during the Budget.

The Bribery Commission filed the case under four indictments alleging that the accused caused a loss of Rs.990,000 to the State by arbitrarily buying 600 GI pipes for the SLRC on November 25, 2014 claiming it was for a promotional programme.

The High Court judge set the date for the pre-trial conference to be held on February 1, 2023. Counsel Hemantha Gamage appeared on behalf of Health Minister Rambukwella and informed the court that they expect to file a preliminary objection regarding the indictments.

The judge informed the counsel to submit the objection on the next court day and the case was postponed to February 1.

Source: Dinamina

News

Lenses available only for one week

Published

50 mins ago

September 22, 2023

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The Health Ministry is trying to go ahead with a questionable deal to purchase lenses, trade unions alleged.

Ravi Kumudesh, President of the Health Professionals Association, said that the Health Minister should pay attention to this matter immediately.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry said that the number of lenses available in the warehouses of the Medical Supplies Division is sufficient for another week only.

Its Additional Secretary Dr. Saman Rathnayake said that the tender to purchase lenses will be allowed following the input of the Cabinet sub-committee appointed to look into the issue.

News

President meets UN Secretary General

Published

58 mins ago

September 22, 2023

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The official meeting between UN Secretary General António Guterres and President Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken place at the UN headquarters in New York.

President calls on US President

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden and President Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in a cordial meeting on Wednesday (20) in New York.

This high-profile meeting took place amidst a dinner hosted by President Biden, gathering all the Heads of State who had participated in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The encounter began with a warm welcome from President Biden, who extended his hospitality to President Wickremesinghe.

The leaders engaged in a cordial and insightful conversation, touching upon various topics of global importance.

Following their discussions, they joined their fellow Heads of State for a group photograph, symbolising the spirit of international cooperation.

President Wickremesinghe, Professor Maithri Wickramasinghe and Mr. and Mrs. Biden posed for a photograph.

News

Inflation in SL decreased by 62.1% – Siyambalapitiya

Published

10 hours ago

September 21, 2023

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Acting Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya announced that over the past year, inflation in Sri Lanka has significantly decreased by 62.1%, thanks to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s robust economic reform agenda.

Mr. Siyambalapitiya also highlighted that inflation, which stood at 66.7% during the first and second quarters of 2022, has now plummeted to just 4.6% for the same period in 2023.

He made this announcement during a press conference held today (21) at the Presidential Media Center, focusing on the theme of ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country.