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Parliament to debate Anti-Corruption Bill on June 21 

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The Parliamentary Business Committee has decided to debate the proposed Anti-Corruption Bill in Parliament on June 21.

The decision was taken when the committee convened under the patronage of Speaker of House Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe in April tabled the Anti-Corruption Bill in Parliament.

The Bill proposed to give effect to certain provisions of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and other Internationally recognized norms, standards, and best practices; to provide for the establishment of an Independent Commission to detect and investigate allegations of bribery, corruption and offences related to the declaration of assets and liabilities and associated offences, and to direct the institution of and institute prosecutions for offences of Bribery, Corruption and offences related to the declaration of assets and liabilities and other associated offences; to promote and advance the prevention of corrupt practices; to educate and raise awareness amongst the public to combat corruption; to repeal the Bribery Act (Chapter 26), the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Act, No. 19 of 1994 and the declaration of assets and liabilities Law, No. 1 of 1975 and related matters.

The Bill was subsequently challenged in the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court then determined that certain clauses of the proposed Anti-Corruption Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution.

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2 companies go missing after non payment of Excise taxes!

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It has been revealed that 07 institutions have pending excise tax payments and 02 companies that are to pay over Rs. 1.5 billion have gone missing without a trace.

The revelations were made during the Ways and Means Committee meeting held at the Parliament Complex yesterday (20) which was chaired by MP Patali Champika Ranawaka.

According to a parliament media release, the two companies that have gone missing are Globe Blender and Wayamba Spirits warehouse.

It is also said that these two companies have also not submitted payment plans while the other companies have worked according to the payment plans.

It has also been emphasized at the meeting to suspend the companies’ licenses by Oct. 30 if they fail to pay the arrears amount before October 15.

Meanwhile, it has also been emphasized it should be probed as to how the scam behind sticker attached to liquor bottles, was done.

It was also urged by the committee chairman to calculate the total amount of fines obtained over this scam since Sep. 07, 2023 and to calculate the total revenue loss incurred by the Excise Department in this manner.

It was further revealed that out of the samples checked, 90% of the stickers were proven as fake.

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Number of rabies deaths on the rise

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The Ministry of Health said that the number of people who have died from rabies has increased in the last few years.

Dr. Heshan Guruge, medical officer of the Anti-Rabies Division, said that the lack of knowledge about rabies as well as the bites of animals other than dogs have led to the increase in these deaths.

Dr. Guruge expressed these views while attending a discussion held yesterday (20) at the Health Promotion Bureau in conjunction with the World Rabies Day on September 28.

“When studying the human deaths that happened in the last few years due to rabies, we can see that a number of animals other than dogs have bit them. In some cases, it is not even possible to know who the animal is. Several people who had passed out after being drunk had been bitten by some animal. After a few days, the symptoms of rabies develop. Several such incidents were reported in the last two or three years. Proper first aid should be given in case of any animal bite. Wash the wound with soap and water. If you have alcohol at home, an iodine solution like betadine, surgical spirit, or an antiseptic liquid like hydrogen peroxide, you can use it. Then go to a hospital. If we do this, we can eliminate rabies from Sri Lanka,” he said.

Don’t get closer to new pets for two weeks

Meanwhile, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana, community specialist of the Epidemiology Unit, said that 12 people have died due to rabies in 2023 so far.

He said that there is a risk of contracting rabies from the bites of all mammals.

The Anti-rabies Unit said that 25 to 30 people die from rabies every year.

The Epidemiology Unit requested the people not to get closer to pets such as dogs and cats for 14 days after bringing them home.

Arrangements should be made to vaccine the dogs against rabies before a period of four weeks has passed.

When bitten by a dog, the area should be washed and cleaned with soap for ten minutes, and after that it is important to seek medical treatment immediately.

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Danushka Gunathilaka’s trial concludes: verdict on 28

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The trial against Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka has been concluded.

The final hearing was held before Judge Sarah Huggett at the Downing Center District Court in Sydney, Australia today.

Accordingly, the Judge has informed that the verdict of the trial will be delivered next Thursday (28).

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