News

Raheem has smuggled in goods through VIP terminal on six occasions

Published

2 years ago

May 25, 2023

editor

The Customs has received information that MP Ali Sabri Raheem has smuggled in gold and other goods into the country illegally through the VIP Terminal of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake on six previous occasions.

The Customs officials have also received information that the MP has brought gold and mobile phones worth more than Rs.70 million to Sri Lanka under the contract of a certain person or group.

They said that the MP receives a large amount of money from the contractors after smuggling in gold and mobile phones.

The Customs imposed a fine of 7.5 million rupees on the MP and confiscated the stock of gold and mobile phones.

Although the people usually do not pay the fines at once after they have been imposed with fines, the MP has paid the fines and left Customs custody on 23rd night itself.

If someone fails to pay the fines, the Customs will produce them in court and remand them.

The Customs officers have informed the Speaker about the arrest of the MP.

Customs sources also said that there was some pressure on the Customs to get the goods and the MP released from its custody.

Meanwhile, the Inland Revenue Department and the State Intelligence Services are conducting investigations regarding the gold and other goods brought by the MP and his immediate payment of the fine.

The MP has told the media that he was not the one who brought the gold in question, and that he had to pay a fine of Rs.7.5 million for an offense he did not commit.

News

Bahrain makes Meningococcal vaccine mandatory for foreign workers

Published

5 hours ago

March 24, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Health has announced that the Meningococcal vaccine is now mandatory for all foreign workers entering Bahrain, including Sri Lankans.

The Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, in coordination with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Bahrain and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will implement the vaccination program based on guidelines from Bahrain and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Meningococcal disease, caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacterium, is a severe infection with a high mortality rate if untreated.

The GCC recommends vaccination to prevent outbreaks, especially in regions with large migrant worker populations.

Bahrain remains a key employment destination for Sri Lankans, with over 4,000 workers departing for Bahrain in 2024 alone.

News

A’pura hospital rape : Suspect further remanded

Published

5 hours ago

March 24, 2025

editor

The suspect arrested in connection with the sexual assault on a female doctor of the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital has been ordered to be further remanded until March 28, 2025.

This order was issued after he was produced before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court today (March 24).

Meanwhile, the suspect’s identification parade, which was rescheduled for today, had been cancelled after the victim had not attended.

News

High Posts committee approves 3 appointments

Published

5 hours ago

March 24, 2025

editor

The Committee on High Posts, which met in Parliament recently (March 21), has approved the nominations to appoint two Ambassadors and a High Commissioner.

The Committee also approved the nomination to appoint the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York.
Accordingly, the nominations of Mr. Ratnayake Mudiyanselage Mahinda Dasa Ratnayake, to be appointed as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Cuba and Professor Pivithuru Janak Kumarasinghe, to be appointed as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan were approved by the Committee on High Posts.

The nomination of Mr. Senadheera Dumunnage Nimal Upali Senadheera, to be appointed as the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was also approved by the Committee on High Posts.

Furthermore, the Committee on High Posts approved the nomination of former Chief Justice Jayantha Chandrasiri Jayasuriya P.C to be appointed as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York, the United States of America.