News

Indian bookie who ran online app detained in Sri Lanka

Published

8 months ago

August 29, 2023

editor

Indian Bookie Saurabh Chandarkar and his associate Ravi Utpal, who have been running various illegal betting businesses online with the help of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and are wanted by security agencies across India, have been detained in Sri Lanka.

According to Time of India, Mahadev Book provides online platforms for illegal betting in different live games, such as cricket, poker, badminton, tennis and football. It also provides an avenue to bet on different elections in India.

If sources are to be believed, the duo has been detained on request from Interpol on behalf of the Indian security agency and is likely to be extradited.

Their detention has become a talking point among bookies and senior police officers in Mumbai even though there are hardly any cases against the duo in Mumbai.

An official from IB said Chandarkar and Utpal were detained after Lookout notices were issued against them by Raipur Police three months ago. “We, too, have learnt that Chandarkar and Utpal of Mahadev Book have been detained in Sri Lanka,” said an official of the crime branch, which is keeping tabs on the development as the bookmaker is associated with Dawood Ibrahim.

Their detention also assumes significance in the wake of the Enforcement Directorate last week arresting four persons in Chattisgarh in the alleged money laundering case related to Mahadev online betting. There is speculation that a few politicians and policemen have invested heavily on Mahadev Book.

According to reports from Chhattisgarh police, Mahadev app is being operated from around 30 centres with around a million individuals placing bets on it last year.

News

Planters’ Association clarifies on daily wage increase

Published

1 hour ago

May 3, 2024

nipuni

The Planters’ Association of Ceylon, in a statement has issued a clarification with regard to the reported wage increase in the tea and rubber sector.

“Given the facts stated in the Gazette notification, the implication in media reports that the increased payments will be applicable from 1st May 2024, is inaccurate and misleading. Neither the effective date – on which the new proposed minimum payment will be applicable – nor the quantum of such payment has, as yet, been determined,” the statement notes.

Noting that the relevant gazette also notes that objections to the proposed determination will be received until May 15th, the Association also states they will be filing objections to these proposals within the time frame stipulated by the Labour Commissioner.

News

China – SL to expedite implementation of MoUs

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2024

nipuni

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong had called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees in Colombo yesterday (May 02) to discuss ways and means of early implementation of the agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) reached between the two countries during the Prime Minister’s official visit to China in March 2024.

The Prime Minister said the implementation of the MOUs would begin a new chapter in the long-term friendship and economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and China.

Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake had signed the agreements on behalf of Sri Lanka, and the secretaries of nine Ministries signed on behalf of China in the presence of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang.
During the talks with Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, the Prime Minister stated that in addition to implementation of the MoUs, Sri Lanka would also welcome direct private investments from China as well as investments in agriculture, renewable energy, IT, education and water supply sectors to provide long term solutions to economic issues.

Ambassador Qi Shenhong said he was pleased to see the resilience of Sri Lanka to overcome difficulties and assured China’s continuous support to Sri Lanka’s current efforts at debt restructuring and meeting economic challenges.

Prime Minister’s Secretary Mr. Anura Dissanayake and Chinese Economic Counsellor were also present at this meeting.

(Prime Minister’s Media)

News

Special notice for O/L candidates as school term ends

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2024

editor

The second phase of the first term of Government schools ends today (May 03) and will reopen on May 20.

The GCE Ordinary Level Examination will be held May 06 – 15.

Meanwhile, selected branches of the Department for Registration of Persons will be operational tomorrow (May 04) for students sitting for the upcoming GCE Ordinary Level Examination 2023 (2024).

The Department announced that its main office in Battaramulla and its provincial offices in Galle, Kurunegala, Vavuniya, and Batticaloa will be open on Saturday.

These selected offices will be operational from 08.30 am to 01.00 pm tomorrow for only the O/L students to obtain their National Identity Cards (NIC).

Applicants who have not yet submitted their NIC applications have been requested to carry their completed application forms certified by the Principal or Grama Niladhari.