News

President calls for report on Kandakadu incident

Published

1 year ago

November 7, 2022

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for a comprehensive report on the incidents that took place at the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre last evening (07).

Following a discussion held with Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, the President said necessary steps should be taken to prevent such incidents from recurring.

Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Major General Darshana Hettiarachchi said a conflict broke out between two groups of inmates at the Rehabilitation Centre last night.

Five injured inmates were first admitted to the Welikanda Hospital and then transferred to the Polonnaruwa Hospital for further treatment.

Mr. Hettiarachchi said that another group of inmates had escaped the Rehabilitation Centre during the unrest.

Meanwhile, ‘Ada’ newspaper reported that a group of unruly inmates had attempted to break into the armory of the 9th Field Regiment Sri Lanka Artillery located at the centre but the soldiers on duty had fired shots into the air to bring the situation under control.

News

Parliament votes to debate VAT bill today

Published

26 mins ago

December 11, 2023

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The Sri Lankan Parliament has voted to debate the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill on today (Nov. 11).

The ruling party proposed that the VAT (Amendment) Bill be taken up for debate today, following the third reading of the appropriation bill.

However, as the opposition rejected the government’s move, the Speaker of parliament decided to call for a vote on whether the VAT (Amendment) Bill will be taken up for debate today.

Accordingly, a vote took place shortly after 9:30 am, with 92 votes in favour, 41 votes against and 01 abstention.

Earlier, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in a statement announced that they will vote against the VAT Bill.

News

Kataragama chief custodian & grandson missing during Tiran’s visit

Published

1 hour ago

December 11, 2023

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The chief custodian (Kapu Mahattaya) of the Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya and his grandson (who is currently the custodian in charge of the Devala store room), have disappeared from Kataragama, reports say.

Last week, the Attorney General instructed to arrest the duo over a 38-pound gold offering that had gone missing from the Devalaya. The offering had been made by the wife of former underworld leader – Angoda Lokka.

Accordingly, the chief custodian – Dhurandara Somipala Ratnayake and his grandson – Saman Priyantha or Chuti Kapu Mahathaya, who is in charge of the temple’s storeroom, are to be arrested.

Meanwhile, the duo had not turned up when the Acting IGP – Deshabandu Tennakoon and Minister of Public Security – Tiran Alles had visited the Kiri Vehera and Kataragama Devalaya on Dec. 09 for religious observances.

Only 03 other custodians had been present at the Devalaya during that time.

A custodian had informed higher officials that the duo had recently left for another province, with plans to appear in courts through lawyers’ intervention and amid political support.

News

Consumer Protection Act to be amended to prosecute rice hoarders

Published

1 hour ago

December 11, 2023

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The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) is to be amended in a bid to prosecute rice hoarders, reports say.

The current provisions of the CPA only allows officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority to inspect and prosecute persons and institutions who sell at higher prices.

It does not empower the CAA officers to prosecute persons hiding rice or other foodstuffs or to inspect such places.

This has been discussed at a Cabinet meeting and the state owned ‘Daily News’ reports that necessary amendments of this Act will be submitted to the Cabinet next month.

(Source : dailynews.lk)