News

Import of electric vehicles: Audit Office says two companies dominate; basic rules flouted

Published

4 weeks ago

December 29, 2024

editor

The National Audit Office has found that 64 percent of permits issued under the last administration’s controversial electric vehicle (EV) import scheme were granted to just two out of 31 institutions that had registered to provide the facility for migrant workers.

The NAO has now released to the public its special audit on the Foreign Employment Ministry’s initiative to issue EV permits for Sri Lankansemployed abroad based on their foreign remittances. It states that Auto Capital Investment (Pvt) Ltd had provided facilities for 335 permits and Overland Auto Mobile for 305 licensees, totalling 640 licensees. Accordingly, both companies provided 64 percent of the total number of permits.

The report reveals a vast array of questionable practices, some of which have already been publicised, including through Parliament. It states that 510 licensees had imported electric vehicles using the permits issued by the Foreign Employment Ministry as of June 30 this year. But only 375 of them were registered with the Department of Motor Traffic as of July 9. Even out of these, 84 vehicles had been given to third parties by the licensees.

In terms of the categories of migrant workers that used the facility, according to information in Foreign Employment Ministry files, a large number (164 people) were seamen followed by “managers” (150) and “directors” (96). Additionally, there are 78 engineers, 61 “officers” and 24 “consultants”. There are also one international cricket umpire and three doctors.

Even basic rules had been flouted. For instance, while it was decreed that every Sri Lankan migrant who wanted to avail themselves of the scheme must have registered with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, just 286 out of 1,000 permit holders—a meagre 28.6 percent—had done so.

(SundayTimes)
This story, originally published by SundayTimes has not been edited by SLM staff

News

Bird deaths in Beira : NARA to submit report

Published

1 hour ago

January 25, 2025

editor

The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) has initiated an investigation over the recent spate of bird deaths at Colombo’s Beira Lake and a report is to be submitted within 03 days.

Over the last few days, over 30 carcasses of ducks and geese have been found dead in the vicinity of the lake and residents claim that the deaths were reported after chemicals were added to the lake to reduce its odor.

Meanwhile, Colombo Municipal Council’s (CMC) Chief Veterinary Officer, Mohamed Ijas has confirmed that bird flu has been ruled out but had been unable to verify claims about chemicals being the cause.

News

Awareness programme on e-NIC held

Published

1 hour ago

January 25, 2025

editor

An awareness programme to introduce the process and discuss issues related to the Electronic National Identity Card (e-NIC) was held yesterday (Jan. 24) at the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), Colombo. The event was conducted under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne.

The session aimed to address key challenges and operational aspects of the e-NIC project, providing a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and identify solutions. The Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy and the Chairman of ICTA Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, along with ICTA Director, Sanjaya Karunasena, also participated in the programme, contributing valuable insights to the discussion.

This initiative marks a significant step in streamlining the implementation of e-NICs and ensuring a smooth rollout for citizens, aligning with the President’s vision for a digitally empowered economy.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Air Vice Marshal Vasu to lead SLAF

Published

5 hours ago

January 25, 2025

editor

Air Vice Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe is set to become the next Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), succeeding Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, who will retire on January 29.

Currently serving as the SLAF’s Director General of Planning, Edirisinghe brings extensive experience to the role. A native of Kandy and an alumnus of St. Sylvester’s College, he joined the SLAF as an Officer Cadet in 1991 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1993.

Initially trained on the SF 260 Warrior, he transitioned to rotary-wing aircraft due to a shortage of helicopter pilots. After completing training on Bell 206/212/412 helicopters, he was operationally cleared for flying duties and served in utility operations in the North and East of the country.

Edirisinghe will take over as the 20th Commander of the SLAF.Air Vice Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe is set to become the next Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), succeeding Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, who will retire on January 29.

Edirisinghe will take over as the 20th Commander of the SLAF.