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Pyramid schemes a crime not a business: Siyambalapitiya

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Action will be taken under the criminal law against the institutions and individuals who operate pyramid schemes, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

State Minister Siyambalapitiya said that pyramid schemes are not a business but a crime.

He expressed these views while speaking to the media after a programme held in Dehiowita.

Commenting further, he said that the Central Bank has prohibited this crime in accordance with the Banking Act No. 30 of 1988 and that action can be taken under the criminal law.

“Accordingly, the Attorney General will be informed and the complaints in this regard will be forwarded to the police and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and cases will be filed against these fraudulent companies and the persons who led them under the criminal law,” he said.

He said that a large number of people in the society have fallen prey to these smugglers since they only focus on temporary benefits despite the warnings issued by the Central Bank.

LPL winning Kandy team owners, B-Love, alleged of pyramids schemes

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe recently said in Parliament that the Lanka Premier League (LPL) tournament was a gambling den.

He said that the sponsor of the B-Love Kandy team that won the LPL championship is a company that promotes cryptocurrency which is prohibited under the laws of Sri Lanka.

The Minister of Justice disclosed about 15 betting websites that played a major role in the LPL tournament, which was held without the Sport Minister’s approval.

It was also revealed that SKYFAIR, which sponsored the titles of the tournament, was an illegal offshore betting website.

“In the LPL tournament, many programmes were held especially to promote the cryptocurrency system. The titles of the T20 franchise were sponsored by an illegal offshore betting site called SKYFAIR.”

“These sites are prohibited according to our laws. This tournament has been used to promote illegal acts. Many sponsors operate illegal betting sites. Fifteen such institutions have been identified. They are; Skyfair.News, 1xBet 1XBook, Crickets In, Kheloyar News, Babu88, SAT sport, Wolf 777, Tiger ESCH, BA Fry Coin and MTFE.”

“All these institutions are engaged in betting business or promoting cryptocurrency transactions. The winning Kandy team has also been sponsored by a cryptocurrency company called ‘Be Love’ which is a banned institution,”

The minister has a responsibility to find out whether these actions taken by Sri Lanka Cricket are illegal. And then… steps should be taken to correct them,” he said.

A Constitutional Responsibility

“The Article 108 of the Anti-Corruption Act has been newly introduced. The MPs passed the law to make giving bribes, tips and accepting them in sports as an offence punishable with seven years imprisonment and a fine of not more than Rs.1 million. This is Act No. 09 of 2023.”

“Article 109 of the Act is also related to this. Under that article, not only the SLC but also any person should explain how they have amassed wealth.”

“The minister should make that explanation. If such an explanation cannot be made, action should be taken after considering this as an offence subject to punishments.”

“The minister has the authority and he should use it. Get these proposals approved by the Cabinet. We will prepare the Bill within two weeks,” Minister Rajapakshe said.

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Weather Alert: Showers to ease in Southwest, strong winds forecast in North

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Prevailing showery condition in the southwestern part of the island is expected to reduced gradually from today (01st)

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota and Trincomalee districts.

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

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Aluthgamage and Fernando assigned printing work in prison

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Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando, sentenced this week to jail for 20 and 25 years, respectively, have been assigned duties in the printing section at the Welikada prison, sources said.

Both of them are being held together away from the main section of the prison’s ‘chapel’ section, where prisoners serving life sentences and those convicted of murder and rape are held. The prison’s printing section prints its own documentation.

Prison sources said that in placing them in relevant wards to serve their jail term, the authorities had taken into consideration the security of the two convicts, as they might have had political enemies.

Mr Aluthgamage was handed a 20-year term of rigorous imprisonment, while Mr Fernando was given a 25-year term of rigorous imprisonment by a High Court trial-at-bar after being found guilty of causing a Rs 53 million loss to the state.

They were accused of importing carrom boards and checkers boards through Sathosa during the 2015 presidential elections and distributing them to clubs.

Their lawyers said yesterday they were awaiting the certified copy of the judgement to prepare the appeal papers. The appeal will be considered by the Supreme Court.

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

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COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

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The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

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

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