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MTFE linked to Subaskaran?

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Former champions of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) Cricket series, Jaffna Kings team owned by Subaskaran Allirajah, had received the sponsorship from Canada based MTFE SL Group on a request made to them, it was revealed.

Accordingly, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is reportedly looking into the companies owned by Allirajah and the MTFE SL Group.

Sources said that the investigation has become much easier since Allirajah is now in Sri Lanka and is staying at the Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo.

Meanwhile, the CID informed the court yesterday (21) that MTFE SL Group has illegally amassed over Rs.1,000 million as deposits from the public.

The CID officials said that this institution has not been registered with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and that it has collected millions of rupees from a large number of people in Sri Lanka.

Sergeant (23072) Vijitha Rajapaksa attached to the CID revealed to the court that this company was registered at the Department of the Registrar of Companies in 2022, but the activities of the company had not been stated properly.

According to the information given to the Registrar of Companies by MTFE SL Group, which has been accused of engaging in pyramid scheme-type transactions, five persons identified as its directors including Randunu Devage Duminda Thushara Jayawansa, Randunu Devage Indika Niranjan Jayawansa and Withanage Kanaka Nalin Gunasekara have been banned from leaving the country. The travel ban was imposed by Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis recently.

Randunu Devage Duminda Thushara Jayawansa, resident of No. 521/B, High Level Road, Panagoda, Homagama, who is a director of the company had submitted an anticipatory bail application to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

The Chief Magistrate rejected the bail application pointing out that CID investigations may be hampered if the applicant is granted bail as an investigation is being conducted into illegal money transactions.

However, it was reported that Randunu Devage Duminda Thushara Jayawansa’s brother Indika Niranjan has fled to Dubai, UAE.

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Printed book prices up by 20% due to VAT & NBT

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The National Book Traders Association says that the price of printed books has increased by 20% due to the imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) and Nation Building Tax (NBT).

Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association President – Mr. Samantha Indeewara, made this statement while speaking at the annual anniversary event of the National Book Traders Association.

“The price of a book has increased by 20%, or about one-fifth. Officials are confusing the issue. Previously, there was a 15% VAT imposed on many items but there was no VAT on printed books. That’s what directly changed from 0% to 18%. Stationery previously had only 3% VAT. They are mixing up these two categories.”

“Around a week ago, there was a letter from the Presidential Secretariat stating that they are conducting an analysis regarding VAT and will subsequently provide an answer,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr. Gamini Moragoda, patron of the National Book Traders Association, also expressed his views to the media on the matter:

“A VAT that is not levied in any other country in the world is being imposed on our books. The introduction of this tax from Jan. 2024, which didn’t exist in Sri Lanka for 75 years, is destroying the book industry. If this continues, a child will not be able to afford a single book in the future,” he pointed out.

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Committee to focus on minimising accidents involving fishing vessels

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Fisheries, Aquatic Resources, and Ocean Resources Minister Ramalingam Chandraseker, has taken decisive steps to appoint a special committee focused on preventing and minimising accidents involving fishing vessels at sea.

Following this directive, the Minister has formally instructed the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department Director General Susantha Kahawatta to establish the committee and prepare comprehensive recommendations to enhance maritime safety.

This move comes in response to a series of tragic incidents that occurred on June 28, when several fishing boats departing from the Dondara, Beruwala and Tangalle harbours met with accidents at sea, resulting in the loss of several fishermen’s lives. In addition to investigating these incidents, the committee will focus on raising awareness within the fishing community to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Director General Susantha Kahawatta stated that the Ministry is closely monitoring the situation. He confirmed that all necessary efforts are underway to locate the missing fishermen and to provide relief and support to the affected families.

He further emphasised the Ministry’s continued commitment to the safety and welfare of the fishing community and assured that proactive measures will be introduced to reduce the risk of such incidents going forward.

(dailynews.lk)

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

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Parliament convenes for fiscal strategy session

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A special session of the Sri Lankan Parliament will commence at 9:30am today (June 30), presided over by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, to present the Government’s Mid-Year Fiscal Strategy Statement in accordance with Section 11 of the State Financial Management Act No. 44 of 2024.

As mandated by the Act, the government is required to present its fiscal strategy to Parliament by June 30 each year. 

This year’s presentation follows a formal request made by the Prime Minister under Standing Order 16. Following the morning session, a debate on the adjournment motion related to the fiscal strategy will be held until 4:30 pm today.

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