The Government of Sri Lanka has extended financial assistance amounting to USD 01 Million to provide relief to the people of Myanmar affected by the recent earthquake.
The relevant cheque was officially handed over today (April 10) at the Presidential Secretariat by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, to the Ambassador of Myanmar to Sri Lanka, Her Excellency Marlar Than Htaik.
Despite the prevailing economic challenges in Sri Lanka, the Ambassador of Myanmar expressed her deep appreciation to President Anura Kumara Disanayake and the Government of Sri Lanka for this gesture of solidarity and support towards the disaster-stricken people of Myanmar.
Furthermore, the Ambassador extended her gratitude for Sri Lanka’s decision to deploy relief teams and medical personnel during this difficult time. She also noted that such acts of compassion further strengthen the longstanding religious and cultural friendship between Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
The Ambassador also briefed the Secretary to the President on the current situation in Myanmar following the earthquake.
Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Mr. Roshan Gamage, along with officials from the Embassy of Myanmar, Mr. Winh Wint Khaus Tun and Ms. Lei Yi Win, were also present at this occasion.
The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar today (May 29) sentenced 02 former ministers over their involvement in a major corruption case linked to the importation of sports equipment, which is infamously known as the ‘Carrom Board’ case.
Ex-Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment while former Trade Minister – Nalin Fernando was sentenced to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment for his involvement in the case as the Lanka Sathosa Chairman at that time.
The case, filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), stated that 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 checkers boards were imported by the Sathosa institution for distribution to sports clubs during the 2015 Presidential Election. The total financial loss to the state was estimated at Rs. 53.1 million.
The verdict was delivered by a three-judge bench comprising Justice Pradeep Hettiarachchi, Justice Pradeep Abeyratne, and Justice Mahesh Weeraman.
The indictment included six counts under Section 70 of the Bribery Act.
The court ruled that the charges brought against the accused had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Employees of all Bank of Ceylon (BoC) branches have decided to walk out of service at 12.30 pm today (May 29).
The decision has been taken over the current management not taking the initiative to provide them with the 06-month incentive package approved by the Board of Directors, according to the Bank Employees’ Union.
Central Committee member of the Bank Employees’ Union – Najith Wijeratne, stated that they will initiate a token strike if this issue is not resolved by June 06.
BoC employees have also held lunchtime protests yesterday (May 28) in front of 22 branches in major cities islandwide.