News

Son and daughter-in-law of biggest Chinese investor in SL remanded!

Published

2 years ago

October 14, 2022

editor

A Chinese couple arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) were ordered to be remanded in connection with a large-scale pyramid scam of nearly Rs.15,000 million that defrauded many people of various status.
The CID officials informed the court that the two suspects were arrested in connection with the extensive investigation conducted into the scam in which they have introduced a computer software called “Sports Chain” and defrauded the people who are connected to it.
The suspects had organised conferences in major hotels in Colombo in order to lure people engaged in various professions.
Upon inspection of the bank accounts of these suspects, State Counsel Hamsa Abeyratne told the court that Rs.1.4 billion has been circulated in the accounts and investigations are continuing to find the source of the funds.
He said that the investigations into this incident are still in the preliminary stage and that during the interrogation of the main suspect Shamal Bandara, facts related to the two Chinese nationals were revealed through a WhatsApp message sent from his phone.
The lawyers appearing for the suspects said that the facts regarding these suspects have not been reported to the court before. He said that the incident cannot be considered an offence but a work that falls under digital currency and that attention is being paid to legalise this in Sri Lanka soon.
He informed the court that the suspect, who is the son of the biggest Chinese investor in Sri Lanka, has not committed such an offence.
The CID told the court that they have received 70 complaints regarding the scam and that more suspects will be arrested in the future.
Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela imposed a travel ban on seven heads of the company called “Sport Chain Society Sri Lanka” for defrauding over Rs.8,000 million from a group of people who invested money in the pyramid scheme, and ordered the freezing of five of their bank accounts.
Source – The Island

News

Sri Lanka slips down Press Freedom Index

Published

10 hours ago

May 3, 2024

editor

Reporters Without Borders released the 2024 World Press Freedom Index on Friday (03).

According to RFS, Sri Lanka has slipped to the 150th position in the index, from 135th position last year.

Click here to read the RSF Sri Lanka Fact File

News

Companies should be ashamed of not giving workers a raise – Vadivel Suresh

Published

10 hours ago

May 3, 2024

editor

Mr. Vadivel Suresh, General Secretary of the Lanka Jathika Estate Workers’ Union, emphasized that both the Government and the Plantation Employers’ Association bear the responsibility of providing wage increases to plantation workers. These workers, who play a pivotal role in sustaining the esteemed reputation of ‘Ceylon Tea’, contribute significantly to the national economy of Sri Lanka.

MP Vadivel Suresh, made this statement during his participation in today’s (03) news conference at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC), under the theme ‘Collective path to a Stable Country’.

The Member of Parliament noted that plantation companies, benefiting significantly from the fluctuating dollar value, ought to feel ashamed for not providing their workers with a salary raise. He emphasized that the salary increase outlined in the gazette notice issued by the Labour Commissioner General for plantation workers should be implemented.

MP Vadivel Suresh further commented:

“We express gratitude to the President and the government for raising the salary of plantation workers to LKR. 1700. However, the Plantation Employers’ Association is contesting this decision.

The estate companies that profited greatly from the dollar’s value should be ashamed of themselves for not giving their workers a raise. Expressing opposition to the decision to increase wages for their workers, who contribute significantly to strengthening the national economy by upholding the reputation of Ceylon Tea, is regrettable. The decision to raise estate workers’ wages was not made hastily; rather, it followed extensive negotiations over the course of a year involving the Department of Labour, trade unions, and relevant stakeholders.

Employers’ unions persistently refrained from engaging in wage-fixing negotiations. Similarly, they remained silent when a salary increase of LKR 1000 was requested. However, the Labour Commissioner General, utilizing his authority, lawfully issued a gazette notice for a salary hike of LKR 1700. It is unjust for estate companies to procrastinate without providing relief to the workforce amidst fluctuations in the dollar’s value.

Both the government and the plantation Employers’ Association bear responsibility in this matter. Consequently, companies cannot contravene government decisions. Estate companies claim they are in dialogue with the high-level committee for the ultimate verdict. However, all 22 estate companies are owned by five individuals. These owners are involved not only in tea plantations but also in sectors such as tourism, small-scale manufacturing, agriculture, and gems. Additionally, plantation workers and trade unions must unite in support of this wage increase.

(President’s Media Division)

Gazette issued to up estate workers’ daily wage

Unable to increase daily wage – Plantation owners

News

CID records another statement from Maithri

Published

11 hours ago

May 3, 2024

editor

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department today (May 03) to record another statement regarding the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The CID had previously obtained a five-hour-long statement from the former President on March 25 over a statement he had made a few days earlier.