News

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

Published

6 months 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

President sets maximum retail and wholesale prices for rice

Published

2 days ago

December 8, 2024

editor

Following a discussion with rice traders, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed new maximum retail and wholesale price limits for various rice types, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

President Dissanayake has directed rice traders to sell Nadu rice to consumers at a wholesale price of Rs. 225 per kilo and a retail price of Rs. 230 per kilo.

The President also instructed the officials Consumer Affairs Authority to closely monitor the situation over the next ten days and strictly enforce the law against rice mill owners who fail to comply with the fixed prices.

President Dissanayake made these remarks during a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, along with rice traders, at the Presidential Secretariat today (07), the PMD said.

The President highlighted that the largest investments in the country are allocated to the Ministry of Highways, followed by the Irrigation and Agriculture sectors, with substantial subsidies provided to farmers.

The President further pointed out that low-interest bank loans have been provided to traders for the purchase of paddy and urged rice traders not to undermine the public’s right to access affordable rice.

As a result, the following rice prices are to be implemented:

• Wholesale price of a kilo of Nadu Rice: Rs. 225, Retail price: Rs. 230
• Wholesale price of a kilo of White Rice: Rs. 215, Retail price: Rs. 220
• Retail price of a kilo of imported Nadu Rice: Rs. 220
• Wholesale price of a kilo of Samba rice: Rs. 235, Retail price: Rs. 240
• Wholesale price of a kilo of Keeri Samba: Rs. 255, Retail price: Rs. 260

The President also strongly criticized rice mill owners for frequently changing rice prices on a daily basis and instructed the Consumer Affairs Authority to monitor the daily rice production and distribution by mills.

Furthermore, President Dissanayake urged the rice traders to collaborate with the government in resolving the rice-related issues in an amicable manner, the statement added.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development A. Wimalenthirajah, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe, Director General of the Department of Development Finance Malarmathy Gangatharan, Acting Director General of the Department of Agriculture Dr. S.K. Wasala, Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority Hemantha Samarakoon, Chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board A.M.U. Pinnalanda, Director of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Research and Training Institute A.L. Chandika, among other officials.

–PMD

News

Rameswaram fishermen protest seeking fishers’ release from Sri Lankan custody

Published

2 days ago

December 8, 2024

editor

Hundreds of fishermen went on a strike in Rameshwaram on Saturday condemning the arrests of 14 Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and the seizure of their boats.

More than 500 boats have been docked at the Rameshwaram harbour. According to a Maalaimalar report, Mechanised Boats Fishermen’s Association held a meeting on Friday where they decided to go on strike and decided not to engage in fishing activities on December 7.

Recently, 14 Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy and sent to Vavuniya Prison.

The associations condemned the unfair activities of the Sri Lankan Navy and demanded the immediately release of the arrested fishermen.

Source: DT Next
–Agencies

News

Vote on Account for first four months of 2025 passed in Parliament

Published

3 days ago

December 7, 2024

editor

The resolution for the Vote on Account, ensuring government operations and debt servicing for the initial four months of 2025, was passed in Parliament yesterday (6) without a vote.

The debate on the resolution, initially presented on 3 December, spanned two days.