News

Public left to bear additional fuel costs due to CPC’s conduct!

Published

7 days ago

June 20, 2024

editor

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has expressed displeasure that dishonesty within the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) due into existing dishonesty within the institution, and the deliberate delay of 08 years and 08 months in issuing the relevant circular to filling station owners by its marketing department, has incurred a loss of Rs. 3,416 million for the period 2014-2022.

In this backdrop, COPE was of the view that the marketing department should assume responsibility for committing large-scale fraud to the CPC.
This matter was taken up for discussion recently (19) when COPE met under the Chairmanship of MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena to examine the Auditor General’s report for the year 2022 and the current status of the CPC.

The Committee expressed its strong displeasure whilst insisting on holding the corporation’s officials accountable. Furthermore, COPE reiterating to the high officials present that the internal officials of the CPC are clearly responsible for such acts of fraud, inquired as to what actions the CPC has taken in this regard thus far.
Furthermore, COPE directed the CAO/AO to submit a report to the Committee within 7 working days containing the list of names of those affiliated to committing the fraud and the measures the CPC has taken to hold such officials accountable for their wrong doings.

Furthermore, it was disclosed that the public had to bear an additional cost for fuel due to the payment of Rs. 31,021.07 million as extra commission to the distributors.

Due to the overpayment made by the officials, COPE disclosed that the customer has to pay Rs. 5.85 for a liter of 92 petrol, Rs. 7.50 for a liter of 95 petrol, Rs. 5.88 for LED and Rs. 6.96 for LSD in excess as of the calculations to date (June 19).

The Committee also inquired regarding the commission which was paid in excess for the year 2022 which has been accounted as a sales expenditure when it should have been entered as a receivable. Accordingly, the Committee further inquired about the officials responsible for the recovery of these overpayments and the action taken in this regard.

It was also disclosed at COPE that the officials responsible for the said are no longer in the country.

The Committee on Public Enterprises directed the CAO/AO to submit a comprehensive report within two weeks containing the list of names of those affiliated to committing such financial fraud and to make a complaint to the CID for investigations in parallel with the internal investigations.

News

10 Indian fishermen face charges over death of Navy personnel

Published

10 hours ago

June 27, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) states that 10 Indian fishermen are facing prosecution over several charges, including the death of a naval personnel during duty.

A SLN personnel from the Navy Special Boat Squadron had sustained critical injuries due to the aggressive manoeuvres of the Indian trawler during a special operation off Kankesanthurai on June 25. He had succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

The postmortem examination had determined that the sailor’s death was an accident, resulting from spinal cord damage.

The SLN states that the seized Indian trawler together with 10 Indian fishermen was brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they were handed over to the Kankesanthurai Police for onward legal proceedings.

The Kankesanthurai Police has filed a ‘B’ report with the Mallakam Court in Jaffna, seeking prosecution of ten Indian fishermen. They face charges for; illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters, death of a naval Person during the operation and for causing damage to naval property, the SLN adds.

The deceased sailor’s funeral ceremony was held yesterday (June 26) in Ibbagamuwa with full honours of the Navy. The Navy Commander had also posthumously promoted the deceased senior sailor, as a Fleet Chief Petty Officer.

The Navy also said that all necessary arrangements have been made for his family to receive the appropriate compensations and allowances.

News

Police to obtain statement from Lollia Skin Care owner

Published

10 hours ago

June 27, 2024

editor

The owner of the company which distributed the beauty products marketed by Model Piyumi Hansamali has been called by the police today to record a statement.

Police said the courts had ordered an interrogation. The matter had been referred to courts after the suspects refused to cooperate with the investigation.

It was assured that the investigations on Piyumi Hansamali will be continued.

Earlier, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had initiated a thorough investigation regarding a beauty products manufacturing company named Lollia Skin Care (Pvt) Ltd, which is said to be the main source of income of model Piyumi Hansamali, who is under investigation for her assets.

Piyumi’s income generated from Lollia Skin Care – CID

News

Constitutional Council rejects AG’s extension again

Published

11 hours ago

June 27, 2024

editor

The Constitutional Council has again rejected President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal to extend Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam’s term by six months.

In a recent vote, five members opposed the extension while three supported it.

This is the second time the Council has denied the President’s request to extend Rajaratnam’s tenure. The first rejection occurred in June, demonstrating a consistent stance among the majority of Council members against the extension.

(dailymirror.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)