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

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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

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08 Dansals suspended over health concerns

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Steps have been taken to suspend eight ‘Dansal’ that failed to meet with proper health and safety procedures, the Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union said.

PHI Union Secretary Chamil Muthukuda stated that permission was granted for another 17 Dansals to operate after complying with guidelines.

The union says that Dansal inspections will continue today (May 13) as well.

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Teen found dead in house fire

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A 19-year-old female has been found dead under suspicious circumstances at a house on Vihara Mawatha in Kottawa.


According to police, the body of the young woman was found burnt beyond recognition while the roof of the house had sustained significant damage from the fire.

The girl’s mother and two brothers were away from home at the time of the incident, police said.

Firefighters from the Kotte Sri Jayewardenepura Fire Department, assisted by local residents had attempted to douse the flames but the girl had already died by the time they arrived.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. 

The Nugegoda Crime Scene Investigation Unit is conducting further inquiries.

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3 police teams deployed to arrest ‘Teacher Amma’

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Three police teams have been deployed to arrest Hayeshika Fernando, a popular private tutor known as “Teacher Amma,” over allegedly kicking a young man in the lower abdomen and groin.

According to police sources, the suspect is in hiding with her daughter and has switched off her phone.

Investigations have revealed that the assault was in retaliation over a Facebook post by the victim’s sister about Hayeshika. She, along with her husband and her institute’s manager, had allegedly assaulted the youth.

Katana police have already arrested two said to be Hayeshika’s husband and the institute’s manager.  They were produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court and remanded until May 14.

The assaulted youth has been admitted to the Negombo hospital for treatment.

Reportedly, Hayeshika had instructed the youth to train a female employee in computer use. During the session, he allegedly behaved inappropriately, prompting Hayeshika’s husband, and the institute manager to accompany the female employee to file a complaint with the Katana Police.

Following statements from both parties, it was revealed that Hayeshika, her husband, and the manager had physically assaulted the youth.

Although her husband and the manager were taken into custody, Hayeshika Fernando fled with her daughter when police attempted to arrest her at her residence.

Under the instructions of Senior DIG Sanjeewa Dharmaratne and the supervision of SSP Ashoka Dharmasena, Chief Inspector Wasantha Sudasinghe and other officers from Katana Police are conducting further investigations.

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