A gazette extraordinary has been issued placing Sri Lanka Telecom, Colombo Lotus Tower, Sri Lanka Cement Corporation, State Engineering Corporation and several other state institutions under the purview of the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies. According to the gazette issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the North Sea Limited, Sri Lanka Thriposha Co. Ltd., Galoya Plantation (Pvt.) Company, National Salt Limited, Paranthan Chemicals Ltd BCC (Pvt.) Limited, Mahinda Rajapaksa National Tele Cinema Park and the Lanka General Trading Company Limited will also be placed under the purview of the Finance Minister.
The gazette extraordinary has been issued by the Head of State by exercising the powers vested in him under paragraph (1) of Article 44 of the Constitution, with effect from the 30th of May.
A group of fishermen stranded at sea off the coast of Balapitiya were rescued today by a Bell 412 helicopter under the directive of the Secretary of Defence.
The fishermen were aboard a vessel that encountered distress in rough sea conditions. Upon receiving the alert, the Sri Lanka Air Force launched the helicopter to assist in the emergency rescue operation.
The Department of Meteorology has issued a Red Alert warning for strong winds and rough seas around Sri Lanka, effective from 12:30 pm today (May 30) until midnight tomorrow (May 31).
Former Sports Minister – Mahindananda Aluthgamage as well as former Trade Minister and Sathosa Chairman – Nalin Fernando, have been placed in a common ward at Welikada Prison, where they will be held with other general inmates.
Prison authorities confirmed that both individuals were issued standard-issue jumpers, along with a mat and pillow, as per prison protocol.
The two were brought to Welikada Prison yesterday afternoon following their sentencing and were subsequently subjected to medical examinations before being transferred to their assigned ward.
The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar yesterday (May 29) sentenced the duo 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.
