News

Luxury vehicles used by previous govts. to be used for essential services

Published

9 months ago

September 26, 2024

editor

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed relevant officials to allocate the luxury vehicles used by previous governments exclusively for essential services, according to the President’s Private Secretary, Ananda Wijepala.

Mr. Wijepala expressed regret over the misuse of public funds and emphasized that a full review will be conducted, with the public being informed of future actions. He made these remarks during a media briefing today (26) at the Galle Face grounds, where updates on actions taken regarding the parked vehicles were shared.

He further explained that the public money wasted by previous governments is symbolically represented by these vehicles parked here, noting that the current parking spaces at the Presidential Secretariat are insufficient to accommodate the vehicles.

A total of 107 vehicles are parked at Galle Face and other locations, which were provided to associates of past governments under various positions. Mr. Wijepala highlighted the unfortunate reality that over the past 76 years, successive governments have continued to waste public wealth while citizens struggled to meet basic needs.

He also revealed that while there is a shortage of ambulances for the healthcare sector and vehicles for public officials to perform their duties, vehicles worth millions of rupees were imported and distributed to political allies.

Mr. Wijepala reiterated the responsibility to safeguard public funds and assured that a comprehensive review of misused vehicles will be conducted. Hon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed that these vehicles be reassigned to essential services to ensure efficient use.

He further disclosed that 59 vehicles obtained from various institutions had been distributed through the Presidential Secretariat to political allies, and despite the vehicle importation ban, 16 vehicles had been bought in for the Presidential Secretariat.

Additionally, Mr. Wijepala mentioned that among the 833 vehicles currently owned by the Presidential Secretariat, 29 vehicles are missing. He further stated that the Hon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed a systematic investigation into this matter through the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

(dailynews.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Assets of 02 police officers to be probed

Published

10 hours ago

June 22, 2025

editor

Assets of two prominent police officers are to be probed after authorities received a number of complaints, highly placed sources in the government say.

One officer in question is a DIG while the other is a SSP, reports add.

The Police Illegal Assets And Property Investigation Division are conducting further investigations.

News

AG seeks CID probe into social media smear campaign against his staff

Published

11 hours ago

June 22, 2025

editor

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has opened a probe following a complaint by Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe that his staff have been unduly targeted by false allegations on social media.

The AG’s instruction to the CID came after several of his staff complained to him over the allegation on social media.

Particularly targeted are senior AG’s Department officials awaiting promotions, sources said.

In one of the posts, a senior officer was accused of being supportive of granting bail to Thamil Makkal Viduthal Puligal (TMVP) leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pillaiyan, when his fundamental rights application over his arrest was taken up. During the hearing of the FR case, the matter of bail was not even considered, the sources said.

Another allegation was that in a case related to the suspended Police Chief Deshabandu Tennakoon, the AG prevented a senior officer from representing the department and instead sent a junior officer. However, on the particular day, the senior officer was indisposed, the sources said.

These allegations surface as the AG’s Department has filed more than 600 new indictments in High Courts so far this year, while the Bribery Commission has also referred several bribery and corruption cases to the AG for prosecution.

(sundaytimes.lk)
(This story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

19-yr. old dies after falling from elevator

Published

11 hours ago

June 22, 2025

editor

A 19-year-old youth has died after falling from a service elevator at a hotel in the Pannai area, in the Jaffna Police Division.

According to the police, the incident had occurred last night (June 21) and the deceased has been identified as a resident of Nirveli, Jaffna.

According to investigations, the youth was employed at the hotel and had been using the service elevator -intended for transporting goods.

Further investigations are underway.

This incident follows a similar case recently reported from a hotel in Moratuwa last week.