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Hirunika’s Defender was used to kidnap man in Dematagoda: AG

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The Attorney General’s Department told in court yesterday (14) that former MP Hirunika Premachandra is the registered owner of the black Defender that was allegedly used to kidnap a young man.

Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Janaka Bandara, who gave evidence in the Colombo High Court, said that eight people who allegedly abducted the young man using the vehicle have pleaded guilty to the charges.

Therefore, DSG Bandara pointed out that it is not necessary to recall the evidence against Ms. Premachandra and if the defense admits the facts, the case can be resolved quickly.

He presented the facts when the Attorney General’s case against Ms.Premachandra and others over aiding and abetting the kidnapping of a young man was heard in court.

The case was heard before High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja. Deputy Director of Regional News at Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) Ms. Kariyawasam testified and said that a press conference related to the incident was aired on SLRC.

Ms.Premachandra appeared in court yesterday.

The Attorney General filed this case under the charges of abducting Amila Priyanga Amarasinghe by force as well as aiding and abetting the crime which was committed on or around November 21, 2015 in Dematagoda.

The case was fixed for further trial on October 4 by the Colombo High Court.

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Gem & jewellery export revenue drops by 25% due to taxes!

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Although gems and jewellery worth US$477 million were exported in 2023, exports have fallen by 25% to US$360 million last year (2024) after the imposition of taxes on the gem and jewellery industry, says Chairman of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) – Mr. Navin Sooriyarachchi.

He stated this at a media briefing held at the Government Information Department yesterday (July 07).

This media briefing was held to inform the media about the newly opened VAT Refund Counter at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake.

He said that following discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), taxes were imposed on their industry from January 01, 2024.

Accordingly, an 18% VAT was imposed when selling gems and jewelry to tourists as well as when importing rough gemstones. In addition, a 45.14% tax was imposed on gold imports, he added.

Noting that the NGJA has issued about 8,000 mining licenses, he said that these should produce gemstones worth over US$ 1.5 billion annually, assuming that around 50% of these mines were profitable.

He added that Gem and Jewellery had the potential to be the second largest primary export of the country.

However, following the imposition of the 18% VAT, sales have declined significantly, Mr. Sooriyarachchi says, adding that competitive practices such as post purchase VAT refunding followed by other countries have further affected this situation.

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8 DIGs in India

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It is reported that 02 senior DIGs and 07 DIGs have simultaneously left for overseas courses.

Eight of them have gone to India for a course that will be held until July 12th. 

The Police HQ has taken measures to appoint other SDIGs and DIGs to cover duties of these officers, reports say.

The officers who are overseas in these manner are Senior DIGs Waruna Jayasundara and Dhanapala Abeywickrama as well as DIGs Sujith Wedamulla, Nuwan Mendis, Udith Liyanage, Pradeep Kalupahana, Sarath Kumara, Indika Hapugoda and H.C.A. Pushpakumara.

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Consultant neurosurgeon further remanded

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The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered to further remand Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne, a consultant neurosurgeon attached to the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, until July 15.

Dr. Wijeratne was previously arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and subsequently remanded.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali issued the order after considering the facts presented by officials from the CIABOC and legal representatives of the defense.

The court also ordered the release on bail of two other suspects who had been remanded over the same case.

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