Connect with us

News

Massive fraud in purchase of rapid antigen test kits – Minister

Published

on

Chief Government Whip and Health and Media Minister, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated in Parliament yesterday that the Health Ministry is investigating fraud committed in the purchase of rapid antigen test kits during the COVID period.

The Minister also said that Parliament will be informed about the details of this fraud in the future.

The Minister revealed that a company that was not registered with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has spent the largest amount for the purchase of rapid antigen test kits.

In addition, Rs. 2.2 billion of public money has been spent on the purchase of two million rapid antigen test kits from this company.

The Minister said this in response to an oral question raised by MP Rauff Hakeem.

A total of Rs. 3.2 billion was spent on the purchase of COVID vaccines and rapid antigen test kits during the pandemic. Of this, Rs. 2.2 billion was spent on this company which was not even registered with the NMRA.

Meanwhile, Rs 3.2 billion was also spent on purchasing PCR kits. The total amount spent by the government on PCR kits and rapid antigen test kits was Rs. 6,422 million.

In a lengthy response to a question raised by MP Hakeem, Dr. Jayatissa also said there are 26 companies in the list. Out of these 26 companies, PCR kits and rapid antigens test kits have been purchased from seven companies. George Steuart & Company Ltd has provided rapid antigen test kits and PCR kits. However, the company called Divasa Pharma Ltdwhich provided Rs. 2 million worth of rapid antigen test kits, while the government has spentRs. 2, 200 million to purchase these rapid antigen test kits, is not an NMRA registered company.

(dailynews.lk)

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

BIZ

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

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

News

8 DIGs in India

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

News

Consultant neurosurgeon further remanded

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved