Parliament today (April 25) approved a request to provide a 03 month-long paid leave for former Opposition leader and Trincomalee District MP – R. Sampanthan.

The Opposition Chief Whip Lakshman Kiriella has made the request which was seconded by Tamil National Alliance MP – Charles Nirmalanathan.

MP Sampanthan, who is 91 years of age, is currently in poor health.

(Source : Lankadeepa)

Chairman of the ‘Magen Ratata’ organization – Sanjaya Mahawatta has submitted a formal complaint to the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), with regard to the “Pintanna Plantation” cultivation project founded by former cricketer – Kumara Dharmasena.

In his complaint, Mr. Mahawatta says that the project is accepting investment deposits from the public without a license from the CBSL to do so.

Noting that this project has misled the public and accepted deposits violating the provisions of the Part II of the Finance Business Act. No. 42 of 2011, Mr. Mahawattha’s complaint further notes that the project is being advertised on print media and on Facebook.

Overseas travel ban

Noting that there is a possibility of Mr. Dharmasena fleeing with these funds, Mr. Mahawatta has also urged the CBSL to seek an overseas travel ban against Mr. Dharmasena.

In a recent media briefing, the CBSL had stated that it is illegal to obtain investments from the public for cultivation projects such as Agarwood, Vanilla, Mango, Teak etc. in the promise of high interest rate returns. The CBSL added that their Non-Banking Financial Institutions Supervision Department has initiated a comprehensive investigation on such companies.

Speaking,  Assistant Governor of the CBSL – K.G.P. Sirikumara had said that it was a criminal offense to go against the rates implemented by the CBSL and accept deposits from the public.

Only companies authorized by the CBSL are legally allowed to accept such deposits, he pointed out.

The CBSL further disclosed that they are looking into details pertaining to the former cricketer’s project.

Showers or thundershowers can be expected in parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Southern provinces after 2 p.m., the Department of Meteorology says.

Showers or thundershowers may occur over the coastal areas of Galle to Pottuvil via Matara and Hambantota during the morning.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces in the morning.

The general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Sea areas:

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Pottuvil to Matara via Hambantota. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and Galle in the evening or night.

Winds will be south-easterly or variable and wind speed will be 20-30 kmph.

Sea areas around the island will be slight.

Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.