Two persons including a private secretary of a minister have been arrested by the Badulla police HQ yesterday (Feb. 22).
They have been arrested over enabling the getaway of a man under police arrest for driving under the influence after assaulting the police sergeant who had made the arrest.
Two police officers attached to the Badulla Divisional Traffic Division were on duty at around 12.30am yesterday (22) had checked an Alto type car to find its driver – an one Dilith Prasanga was under the influence.
When taking measures to arrest him and take him to the Badulla police HQ in the same car, a luxury jeep had stopped them and a man introducing himself as a secretary of Minister Harin Fernando had stepped out demanding to release the arrested individual.
The man had dragged out the police sergeant at the wheel before leaving with the arrested man and the car.
The policemen had informed of this incident to the Badulla HQI and subsequently, Dilith Prasanga had been arrested. Further questioning had revealed that the man who had intervened and hampered the arrest was a private secretary of a powerful minister.
Accordingly, a case was to be filed against the said secretary at the Badulla Courts yesterday.
India’s Adani Group has denied the cancellation of its $440 million power purchase deal with Sri Lanka, terming the reports as “false and misleading”. The media statement notes that “the Sri Lankan Cabinet’s decision of 2 Jan 2025 to reevaluate the tariff approved in May 2024 is part of a standard review process, particularly with a new government, to ensure that the terms align with their current priorities and energy policies.”
“Adani remains committed to investing $1 billion in Sri Lanka’s green energy sector, driving renewable energy and economic growth,” it adds.
The media statement comes after the AFP reported that the new Sri Lankan government has revoked a power purchase agreement with Indian conglomerate Adani Group following allegations of corruption.
The deal had initially approved to purchase electricity at US$0.0826 per kilowatt hour from the proposed Adani wind power plant, which is to be built in the Northern region of Sri Lanka.
Several activists had challenged the agreement, arguing that smaller renewable projects were selling electricity at two-thirds the price of Adani, the AFP had further reported. In addition, the project is also facing separate environmental concerns.
While President Dissanayake’s cabinet has revoked the 20-year deal power purchase deal signed in May 2024, it has not cancelled the project and has appointed a committee to review the project, the AFP reported, citing an official document and an energy ministry official.
The Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and Ambassador designate to the Maldives, Dr. Siri Walt, has assured Switzerland’s support in recovering assets that have been moved out of Sri Lanka.
During discussions, Ambassador Walt provided guidance on the international measures required for reclaiming such assets and expressed Switzerland’s readiness to extend support whenever necessary by providing essential resources and assistance.
Ambassador Walt made these remarks during a meeting held today (Jan. 24) at the Presidential Secretariat with the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The discussion also focused on utilizing Switzerland’s expertise and technical knowledge to assist Sri Lanka’s on-going anti-corruption initiatives. The Swiss government reiterated its commitment to providing technical and financial support for Sri Lanka’s priority programs, including the “Clean Sri Lanka” program.
The Ambassador additionally expressed Switzerland’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in addressing social challenges, promoting national reconciliation, and assisting with the development of the Northern region through necessary aid and resources.
The meeting was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage.