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Over 20 more ex-MPs under probe

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Following the imprisonment of former Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, it came to light that the government has instructed for the expedition of investigations into well over 20 more similar cases involving former MPs and officials.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told the Media that these cases, some of them as old as 10-15 years, had been swept under the carpet in the past under different governments.

He said the current government, formed by the National People’s Power (NPP), had opened up these cases and instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to expedite inquiries and investigations for early litigation.

“I can talk about the cases now pending before the CID. There are well over 20 cases involving former MPs who even held ministerial posts in the past. There are officials. I cannot divulge names offhand,” he said.

He said some of the cases are handled by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The Minister who also served in the Anti-Corruption Committee formed by the previous Yahapalana government said some of the cases under investigation by the CID would be assigned to the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID).

“We have revived the FCID. It runs short of officers qualified enough for investigation into financial crimes. We have taken measures to address it in addition to providing resources to it for efficiency,” he said.

Punishing the wrongdoers for the abuse of state resources and embezzlement of public money was a main campaign slogan of the NPP in the run-up to the presidential and parliamentary elections last year. The government leaders, including President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, have vowed repeatedly that the law would be enforced against wrongdoers soon.

Mr. Aluthgamage and Mr. Fernando became the first two politicians to be convicted after the NPP government was formed. Besides, former Ministers Keheliya Rambukwella, Prasanna Ranaweera and Mervyn Silva are now in remand over cases involving their past actions.

Meanwhile, the opposition charges that the government is hounding its members for political reasons.

(Daily Mirror)

(This story, originally published by Daily Mirror has not been edited by SLM staff)

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

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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.

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8 DIGs in India

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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.

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Consultant neurosurgeon further remanded

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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.

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