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President’s DG Gunasiri requests 22 liquor licences!

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President’s DG Gunasiri requests 22 liquor licences!

President’s Director General (Government Revenue) M.J. Gunasiri has requested the Excise Commissioner General to provide observations and further recommendations regarding the issuance of 22 new liquor licences  .

The letter dated on February 13 has been sent seeking approval for opening up retail liquor stores in Jaffna, Mankulam, Kiran, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Kithulgala, Beliatta, Hambantota, Tissamaharama, Kannanthota, Kodikamam, Mulliyawalai, Muthur, Dehiwala, Amithirigala, Galle, Weeraketiya, Aiththimale, Ethiliwewa, Wanduramba and Mapalagama.

The applications related to obtaining liquor licences for the stores in these areas have been issued by the Excise Department, and they have been signed by the Revenue Operations Commissioner of the Excise Department.

However, when asked, Excise Commissioner General Saman Jayasinghe said that the issuance of new liquor licences has been stopped, and that no letter related to the issuance of new liquor licences has been received from the Presidential Secretariat.

Meanwhile, when the former Excise Commissioner General has inquired Mr. Gunasiri about the letter, he has said that if someone makes a request regarding obtaining liquor licences, the letter will only be forwarded to the Excise Commissioner General, and that no undue influence will be made.

He also said that only the Excise Commissioner General has the authority to issue liquor licences.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Liquor Licensing Association President Ajith Udugama said that a Director General of the President’s Secretariat cannot issue liquor licences. Although only the Excise Commissioner General has the authority to issue licences subject to the recommendation of the Minister of Finance, he said that some have obtained millions of rupees by granting licences.

He said the liquor licence is a special privilege given to the people, and although it should be given under a fair system, it is now being issued for money.

He further said that legal action will be taken against granting licences in this manner.

Source – Aruna

News

Tenders called for e-NIC project

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The Ministry of Digital Economy Affairs in Sri Lanka has said that Tenders have been called from Indian companies to develop Sri Lanka’s new digital National Identity Card (e-NIC).

Deputy Minister – Eranga Weeraratne stated that a 04 month period will be given for this process.

The Deputy Minister added that the new digital NIC is expected to be issued by mid-2026.

In January, Weeraratne had clarified that the government has decided to cover half of this cost through assistance from India to meet the financial burden.

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Public consultation on renewable energy sector kicks off today

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The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced that a public consultation will be held today (July 02) to identify challenges faced by renewable energy developers in Sri Lanka.

The Commission stated that oral submissions from stakeholders will be gathered from 8.00 am –  4.00pm at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).

The public consultation is being held under the powers granted to the Commission by Section 17 of the Sri Lanka Public Utilities Commission Act, No. 35 of 2002.

Meanwhile, President of the Solar E P C Association (SEPCA) – Dr. Shyam Pathiraja has said that many stakeholders are expected to present their views on the crisis in the renewable energy sector.

On a related note, National People’s Power (NPP) MP – Ravindra Bandara claimed that the current government has not imposed any restrictions on renewable energy production.

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Entertainment

Court order issued against ‘Eh Yaye’ song

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The Commercial High Court has issued an interim injunction order, preventing popular artistes Romaine Willis and Mass Ramli Miskin (DJ Mass) from performing, reproducing and distributing the song ‘Eh Yaye’.

Colombo Commercial High Court Judge Priyantha Fernando issued the order after the Plaint filed under the Intellectual Property Act by popular singer Corrine Almeida.

The case also alleges that the musical composition and the lyrics of the song ‘Eh Yaye’ were substantially similar to the song ‘Api Natamu’.

Naming Willis and DJ Mass as defendants,  the plaintiff Corrine Almeida had also stated that she is the owner of the copyright and economic rights to the musical composition and lyrics of her song titled “Api Natamu”.

The plaintiff instituted action in terms of the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003 alleging that the musical composition and the lyrics of ‘Eh Yaye’ were substantially similar to the ‘Api Natamu’ song.

(Source : Dailymirror.lk)

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