News

03 probes on UK-based Lyca’s ownership of Lankan media companies

Published

4 days ago

March 30, 2025

editor

Three state agencies have launched investigations into how the United Kingdom-based Lyca Group had acquired 12 local media institutions.

The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court (SC) that the Defence Ministry has instructed the State Intelligence Service to conduct a comprehensive investigation over the matter. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sumathi Dharmawardena told court that the office of the Inspector General of Police has informed the AG that the Criminal Investigation Department has sought the assistance of the Financial Intelligence Unit with regard to Ben Holdings (Private) Limited and Blue Summit Capital Management Pte Limited, affiliates of Lyca Group. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has also begun a probe into this acquisition, he added.

ASG Dharmawardena made these revelations when the SC bench comprising Justices Janak De Silva, Menaka Wijesundera and Sampath Abayakoon considered a fundamental rights petition filed by Chairman of the Citizen’s Movement Against Fraud, Corruption and Waste Jamuni Kamantha Thushara challenging the acquisition.

President’s Counsel Uditha Egalahewa, who appeared for the petitioner, made submissions that state agencies had failed to follow due process before granting media licences to a web of media companies controlled by Lyca Mobile UK.

After considering the submissions, the SC granted leave to proceed to the petition and fixed further hearing to December 2.

(sundaytimes.lk)
(This story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

700,000 postal voting applications for LG Polls

Published

5 minutes ago

April 3, 2025

editor

The Election Commission has received nearly 700,000 applications for postal voting at the upcoming Local Government (LG) Elections.

The application process for those eligible to vote by mail commenced on March 03 and concluded on March 17.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission announced that the process of compiling information on public officials assigned for election duties is nearing completion.

Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake urged any public officials who have yet to submit their details to do so immediately. Such officials must forward their information, along with the recommendations of their institution’s head, to the District Election Office in their respective districts.

News

Probe into misuse of Presidential Fund

Published

22 minutes ago

April 3, 2025

editor

The Financial and Commercial Crime Investigation Division (FCCID) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated an investigation into 22 former Ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) concerning funds they allegedly received from the Presidential Fund between 2008 and 2024.

Police said that 22 files related to the disbursement of these funds were being examined by the CID.

Preliminary investigations revealed that over Rs. Rs. 100 million have been received by the twenty two former Ministers and MPs in various amounts, and investigations are being carried out as to whether any irregularity has occurred in receiving the money.

As part of the investigation, CID officers have sought approval from the Fort Magistrate’s Court on April 2, 2025, to access details of the checks issued from the Presidential Fund account.

Earlier, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa revealed in Parliament that 36 former Ministers and MPs had received Rs. 112.5 million from the Presidential Fund between 2005 and 2024.

Among those named, former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella received Rs. 11 million, former Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne received Rs. 10 million, late Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne received Rs. 30 million, and former MP Ranjith De Zoysa received Rs. 18 million.

Other individuals who reportedly received financial assistance include Vasudewa Nanayakkara, Widura Wickremanayake, Wimala Dissanayake, Sumeda Jayasena, S.B. Nawinna, John Amaratunga, Sarath Amungama, P. Harrison, Piyasena Gamage, Manoj Sirisena, P. Dayaratane, and S.C. Muthukumarana.

(dailymirror.lk)

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

BIZ

‘Beedi’ tax upped

Published

29 minutes ago

April 3, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Finance has increased the Tobacco Tax on all ‘Beedi’ products,with effective from yesterday (April 02).

Accordingly, the relevant tax will be increased from Rs. 02 to Rs. 03, resulting in the price hike of a rupee.