News

My son not involved in Yala incident: Amaraweera!

Published

11 months ago

October 28, 2022

editor

Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that his son did not go to either Yala or Galle last Saturday (22) when a group of people arriving in jeeps behaved recklessly in Yala National Park.
Speaking at a news conference held at the Ministry of Agriculture yesterday (27), the minister said there were reports on social media sites that his son was also involved in the Yala incident.
“This is completely false. He had only gone to a relative’s house in Mathugama. Many people ask whether my son is involved in this incident. I told them that if there is any proof that he is involved in this, to even say that he had gone beyond Galle that day, I would take full responsibility and resign,” he said.
He said that information has revealed that 32 jeeps were involved in the Yala incident, and that these vehicles were travelling on the highway at high speed.
He said it is suspected that most of the jeeps that drove towards Kurunegala during the fuel crisis may have arrived at Yala. The minister said this group has spent Rs. 6 million for hotels alone.
The minister said that the law will be implemented against the people who drove vehicles recklessly harassing the wild animals, regardless of their status.

Legal action against persons who harmed wild animals at Yala National Park

Several officers of Yala National Park suspended

No action taken against suspects of Yala incident: Environmentalists

9 suspects in Yala case, bailed

News

Rosewood timber stock rots in Customs for 9 years

Published

2 hours ago

September 27, 2023

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Sri Lanka Customs has had to store 3,669 logs of confiscated Rosewood weighing 420 metric tons at a cost of more than Rs.80 million as storage fees, a report issued by the National Audit Office said.

Although these logs were planned to be sold, they have been stored for 9 years due to the delay in obtaining the permit from the Wildlife Conservation Department.

The logs have already been damaged by insects.

These logs were sent from Zanzibar in Tanzania for re-export to Hong Kong via Sri Lanka by declaring them as African solid wood.

The audit report said that due to the delay in issuing the license, these logs have been stored in a Customs yard from 2014 until April 30, 2023.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board has to pay more than Rs.30 million to the Customs in the form of port development tax and value added tax for a high-powered radioactive element imported on April 23, 2021.

The report said that the overdue tax amount has not been paid to the Customs by January 1, 2023.

This information was revealed by an audit report included in the 2022 annual report of Sri Lanka Customs.

News

Muthuhettigama released on bail

Published

2 hours ago

September 27, 2023

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Former Member of Parliament Nishantha Muthuhettigama was released on bail by the Galle Magistrate’s Court today (27).

He was released on two sureties of Rs.5 million each and a cash bail of Rs 50,000. The next court hearing is scheduled to be held on February 02.

The former MP was arrested and remanded on charges of illegally assembling a luxury car.

News

Raids increased to nab train passengers sans tickets!

Published

2 hours ago

September 27, 2023

editor

Sri Lanka Railways has taken steps to increase raids to nab passengers travelling without tickets.

Frequent inspections to nab errant passengers were suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Due to this, people are more inclined to travel by train without tickets and the initial raids will be based on Maradana and Colombo Fort Railway Stations.

Meanwhile, the Railways Station Master’s Association said that nearly Rs.225,000 was collected from 72 passengers who travelled without tickets from the Maradana Railway Station from August upto now.