News

“State Minister linked to Theft at KKS Cement factory”

Published

9 months ago

August 9, 2023

editor

Former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Cement Corporation Gamini Ekanayake has lodged a complaint against State Minister Chamara Sampath Dasanayake with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

He alleged that theft amounting to billions of rupees has taken place at the state-owned Kankasanthurai cement factory with the endorsement of the Minister.

Mr. Ekanayake had told the CID that he had taken all the steps to implement the decision to sell the scrap metal in this land in the Tender procedure, as per the relevant Cabinet decision.

But instead of implementing the cabinet decision, the State Minister had first removed much of the army personnel that was guarding the factory premises, leaving the premises largely unguarded.

He also pointed out that there is a clear connection between the recruitment of seven people from Badulla to this factory and the sudden withdrawal of scrap iron worth 22 million in two months after the army was withdrawn.

Lodging the complaint with the CID, the former chairman also called for a full formal investigation in this regard.

Following a revelation made in parliament over the alleged theft, an irate State Minister Chamara Sampath had berated the MP who had raised the question and the former Chairman.

The manner of his speech was severely criticized by opposition MPs and addressing the schoolchildren viewing the debate at the premises, MP Dallas Alahapperuma apologized to them on behalf of their public representatives.

News

India to cover tax costs for Sri Lanka-India passenger ferry service

Published

10 mins ago

May 5, 2024

editor

The Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS).

The passenger ferry service, which was launched in October 2023 by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), will tentatively resume on May 13, 2024. It will be operated by a private operator, IndSri Ferry Services, selected by SCI in consultation with the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL).

In order to make the service affordable and attractive for passengers, the Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year.

Similarly, the GOSL has reduced the deviation tax currently charged from passengers leaving Sri Lanka by passenger vessels and ships.

It should be recalled that the Government of India has also extended a grant assistance of USD 63.65 million to the GOSL for the rehabilitation of the KKS Harbour, which was earlier envisaged to be undertaken under a Line of Credit.

(dailymirror.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

China Pledges Full Support for Sri Lanka’s Debt Restructuring

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2024

editor

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe has met with the Chinese Vice Minister of Finance Liao Min.

This meeting was held on the sidelines of the ADB annual meeting in Georgia.

Minister Semasinghe said on X ”at this discussion China assured its fullest support and cooperation to conclude the debt restructuring process in Sri Lanka.”

Furthermore, he said that China reaffirmed steadfast support to Sri Lanka on all fronts.(news first.lk)