News

Minister Samarasinghe a suspect or not: Court to rule on June 16

Published

4 weeks ago

April 13, 2025

editor

Mount Lavinia Magistrate A.D. Chathurika de Silva will deliver her order on June 16 regarding whether Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe should be named as a suspect in a fraud case.

The case involves a building belonging to a trust known as the National Workers’ Institute, which had been leased for Rs. 3.6 million by individuals posing as officials of the National Workers’ Congress (NWC) trade union.

They included Mr. Samarasinghe.

The magistrate gave the order after considering a request by Maithri Gunaratne, PC, who appeared with Attorney-at-Law Kisal Senanayake for the aggrieved party.

Mr Gunaratne told court the involvement of the minister and his associates was clearly evident when one looked at the early reports submitted by the Colombo Fraud Bureau, which investigated the case.

Mr Gunaratne claimed that while Mr Samarasinghe had posed as the president of the NWC, the property in question did not belong to it.

Moreover, Labour Department documents confirm that Mr Samarasinghe and his associates, who posed as NWC officials, did not hold any positions there and were outsiders.

He also pointed out that no one had been arrested over the incident, though those who had posed as NWC officials and signed lease agreements had been exposed. He urged the court to name them as suspects.

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

News

8,742 Vesak Dansals registered islandwide

Published

1 hour ago

May 12, 2025

editor

The Public Health Inspectors (PHI)’s Union states that a total of 8,742 Dansals have been registered islandwide, in line with Vesak celebrations this year.

According to the PHI’s Union chairman – Upul Rohana, the highest number of ‘Dansal’ is registered in the Western Province, particularly in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area.

The union has also urged organiser to reduce the use of polythene and plastic during food distribution efforts.

News

Financial assistance from President’s Fund for Gerandi Ella bus accident victims

Published

2 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

A sum of Rs. 1 million from the President’s Fund will be granted for each individual who lost their life in the Kotmale bus accident, the President’s Media Division states.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake has directed that a sum of Rs. 1 million be granted from the President’s Fund to each individual who lost their life in the tragic bus accident that occurred early this morning (11) in the Garadiella area, Kotmale.

Accordingly, arrangements have been made to promptly disburse these funds to the next of kin of the deceased through the President’s Fund.

In addition to this assistance, compensation will also be provided to the affected families through the Sri Lanka Transport Board and relevant insurance schemes.

Meanwhile, authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident, which has claimed 22 lives so far.

(Pic : Accident1st)

News

Maxwell gets 5-yr. ban

Published

2 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

Former Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) Maxwell de Silva was handed a five-year ban, sources revealed.

Earlier, De Silva was suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Ministry of Sports due to various irregularities committed by him over several years.

Accordingly, the NOCSL Executive Committee decided to hand down a five-year ban on De Silva, considering the recommendations made by the NOCSL Ethics Committee, NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam told the Daily Mirror.

Subramaniam further stated that the penalty on De Silva has already been communicated in writing to the IOC.

Accordingly, the former secretary, who has been banned for five years, is now completely prohibited from representing the NOCSL at any foreign event or international conference.

(dailymirror.lk)

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