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SLC issues clarification on fund transfer allegations

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In a statement, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) clarified assertions made by the Minister of Sports in Parliament regarding the transfer of USD 02 million from its accounts.

Earlier during today’s Parliament debate, Sports Minister – Roshan Ranasinghe stated that attempts were being made to withdraw USD 2 million from an account belonging to SLC from a state bank branch in Colombo.

SLC says it “categorically denies any attempt to transfer funds from its accounts to third party accounts and wishes to address the matter to provide clarity to the public.”

The statement further notes :

As the governing entity for cricket in Sri Lanka, SLC receives funds and sponsorship income in USD, which are intentionally kept in our USD accounts to leverage exchange rate fluctuations. However, it is important to note that SLC needs to carry out its operations in Sri Lanka and fulfill financial obligations to stakeholders, including suppliers, on a regular basis.

To meet these expenses, SLC follows the practice of transferring funds from its USD account to its local currency (LKR) accounts. This has been a longstanding practice, as SLC does not derive significant income in local currency. It is crucial to highlight that these transfers are solely for operational purposes and are not indicative of any attempt to transfer funds out of SLC’s accounts.

Thus, any claims stating that SLC is trying to transfer funds out of its accounts are false and factually incorrect. It is evident that such assertions have been made with ulterior motives, aiming to create unnecessary public unrest against SLC.

Additionally, we wish to state that SLC operates in accordance with the provisions of its constitution, which prohibits cash payments exceeding Rs. 10,000/-. Accordingly, and to clarify the misconceptions, we have taken steps to release a schedule to the Parliament and to the Ministry of pending payments, for which cheques have been issued to suppliers, stakeholders, and third parties who have provided services to SLC. The schedule covers the period from 17th August 2023 to 8th November 2023 and ensures that the necessary funds are available in our LKR account to fulfill these payments upon presentation to the bank.

SLC remains committed to transparency and upholding the integrity of its operations. We urge the public to disregard any misinformation and rely on authentic sources for accurate information. SLC will continue working diligently to support cricket development in Sri Lanka and maintain good governance.

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US embassy – NDDCB conducts training to combat synthetic drug threat

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The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB), concluded a two-week regional training initiative focused on identifying and analyzing synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances, particularly fentanyl and its analogs – substances that have become an urgent global concern. 

The training culminated in a formal handover ceremony of drug testing equipment, where U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Jayne Howell, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala, and NDDCB Chairman Dr. Indika Wanninayake presided over the presentation of the Radian ASAP instrument to Sri Lankan authorities. 
As part of the U.S. Department of State-funded regional initiative, Upgrading Forensic Lab Capabilities, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) has partnered with the Colombo Plan to strengthen synthetic drug detection across South Asia. Forensic professionals from Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal participated in two weeks of intensive classroom and hands-on training in Colombo to prepare for the installation of advanced drug detection equipment in their national laboratories. 

Each country will receive a Radian ASAP drug testing machine—a compact, cutting-edge system designed for rapid, high-confidence screening of synthetic substances in under a minute. Requiring no complex sample preparation, this technology is ideally suited to detect emerging drug threats efficiently and bolster regional forensic capabilities. 

This initiative aligns with broader U.S. efforts to disrupt the supply chains of synthetic opioids worldwide, reflecting recent White House executive actions taken to combat the global spread of fentanyl. In the United States, these substances have been declared a national emergency, with focused measures to block precursor chemicals and hold illicit producers accountable. 

During the handover ceremony of the drug testing equipment, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Jayne Howell stated: “The United States is confronting the fentanyl crisis at home and abroad because the threat knows no borders. That’s why we’re investing in regional partnerships like this one—to stop synthetic drugs before they take hold. Through this initiative, we’re not only sharing advanced tools and training, we’re reinforcing a shared commitment to public health and regional security. This work reflects broader U.S. efforts to disrupt global synthetic opioid supply chains and protect communities across the Indo-Pacific.” 

Equipment donations to labs in Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal are scheduled to follow. The U.S. remains committed to strengthening the region’s ability to detect and disrupt synthetic drug flows through technical cooperation and capacity building.

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SLTB to recruit female drivers and conductors

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The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) is to recruit drivers and conductors on a contract basis, the state owned ‘Daily News’ reports.

According to the report, there are 425 vacancies for male drivers and 25 female drivers will also be recruited.

There are 275 vacancies for male conductors and 25 female conductors will also be recruited compulsorily, the report adds.

The report further notes : 

This endeavour aims to strengthen the public transport service, which is currently operational with over 25,000 employees in 107 depots across the country. A newspaper advertisement was published yesterday with the deadline for applications being July 31.
Applicants are required to present their original School Leaving Certificate (Student’s Progress Report) and other educational certificates at the interview.

The SLTB emphasised that incomplete or non-compliant applications will be rejected.

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Welfare Benefits Board Chairman resigns?

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The Chairman of the Welfare Benefits Board (WBB) – the body responsible for distributing the ‘Aswesuma’ benefit, has submitted his resignation to the Ministry of Finance, state owned newspaper ‘Silumina’ reports.

Retired special grade officer of Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) – Mr. Jayantha Wijeratne was recommended for the post by the then President in Aug. 2023.

Following the  approval of the Constitutional Council, the appointment was made through letter PED/S/BDA/2022 issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization & National Policies.

Meanwhile, 299,532 beneficiaries have been selected for the second phase of the ‘Aswesuma’ program.

Appeals and objections will be accepted until July 21.

(Source: Silumina)

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