News

Probe Hamilton Bank & Rajapaksas-Cabraal deal: Patali

Published

2 years ago

September 13, 2023

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Governor of the Central Bank should conduct an immediate and formal investigation into the case filed against Sri Lanka by the Hamilton Bank in St. Kitts & Nevis and its potential links to the Rajapaksas and former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivaard Cabraal, MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

Speaking to ‘The Island’ newspaper, he said the Hamilton Reserve Bank, which holds more than $250 million of Sri Lanka’s 5.875% International Sovereign Bonds due July 25, filed the suit in June in a New York federal court seeking full payment of principal and interest.

MP Ranawaka also said that the US Government has also intervened in the case due to the suspicions that have arisen regarding this bond transaction.

He said that ‘International Financial Time’ has reported that a representative of Hamilton Bank reached an agreement with the then CBSL Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal in the purchase of these bonds.

“The Central Bank should reveal for how much these bonds were sold in the secondary market, and had it been agreed that the people would pay for these bonds with the dollars that were saved to purchase fuel, electricity, medicine, and if that’s the reason why the bank bought these bonds? There is a need for a fair investigation as to how much commission the people of our country received from this sale,” he said.

MP Ranawaka further said that there is a doubt about the settlement of a similar bond of USD 500 million in March 2022.

News

Internal disputes delay LG member lists

Published

11 hours ago

May 17, 2025

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Due to various issues that have arisen within many political parties during the selection of members for LG bodies, submission of name lists to the Election Commission (EC) are being delayed, reports say.

As a result, the establishment of LG bodies is expected to be delayed further.

In this backdrop, the EC has instructed all political parties and independent groups to submit their name lists within a week.

The gazette on the newly appointed members will follow only after the EC receives all lists.

(Source : Lankadeepa)

News

Ministry cancels Br. Charles’ program at Padeniya temple

Published

11 hours ago

May 17, 2025

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The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs has issued a letter over a program organized by Br. Charles Thomas.

The relevant program is scheduled to be held today (May 17) at the historic Padeniya temple and is allegedly scheduled to be held in a manner that is harmful to Buddhism.

The letter notes that the Deputy Minister has taken steps to cancel the program following complaints from various parties, citing strong displeasure expressed by the local Buddhist community.

News

Applications open for A/L Vocational stream

Published

11 hours ago

May 17, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has announced that applications are now open for admissions for Grade 12 students for the Advanced Level (A/L) Vocational stream subjects.

According to the Ministry, the vocational stream will be offered in 608 schools starting this year.

The Ministry further clarified that students who have not passed the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination will still be eligible to apply, as O/L results will not be a determining factor for admission to this stream.

For this, students need to submit an application to the principal of the school they wish to enroll in.