Plantation community alleges presence of ‘scam’ behind Indian Housing Project

Although plantation sector workers accuse that credible implementation agencies weren’t appointed by the High Commission of India, to oversee the work of the proposed plantation....

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

For a long time, accusations have been made against Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, alleging that he forcibly acquired a plot of state-owned land in the Thalawathugoda area and also conducted reclamation and development activities there. The Minister’s daughter resides in a house on a land adjacent to Perera Mawatha in Thalawathugoda where the Minister’s house is located. There is no access to that house directly from P

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

The state-run loss-making State Mortgage & Investment Bank (SMIB) has revealed that there are political interferences....

Sri Lankan agricultural products have no legitimate roots!

This article is based on a discussion with Ajith Randunu, former Executive Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture and an employee of the private sector.....

Aura Lankas’ aloe vera project in Rajanganaya Yaya: Controversial 18 area colony under threat of being wiped out

There have been allegations for about six years that Aura Lanka Herbals (PVT) Ltd is preparing for a large-scale aloe plantation in the Rajanganaya Yaya ‘18 area’ by destroying the buffer zone....

“Ambuluwawa Trust has not adhered to Govt. financial regulations”

The Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government is accused of aiding and abetting a ruling party politician from the Kandy district in his alleged corrupt activities. Pradeep Yasaratne, the Ministry Secretary who is under the spotlight, attracted severe criticism for allegedly transferring A.D. Jayaratne the Divisional Secretary (DS) Udapalatha, Gampola, to the Ministry pool from Janu

Oyamaduwa pharmaceutical project stifled by companies, individuals with vested interest

Twenty one companies within the Oyamaduwa pharmaceutical manufacturing zone received approval from the Ministry of Health. The government does not allocate funds for the establishment of these factories; instead, the participating companies are required to cover the costs associated with this venture. An Indian company and its subsidiary, Spectrum Pharma TECH Lanka Pvt Ltd in Sri Lanka, were chosen to construct these factories through a tender pr

Progress of Oyamaduwa Pharmaceutical project resembles a sick man

In 2021, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had a goal to produce 50% of the country’s pharmaceutical needs locally by the year 2024. This goal was set during a time when the state was spending Rs 130 billion annually to import the needed quantum of pharmaceuticals. The government’s plan was to offer high-quality medicines at affordable prices to both the foreign market and the local population. Consequently, steps were taken to establish a phar

Duminda’s pardon and what legal luminaries say in retrospect

It has now come to light how former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa acted arbitrary and unreasonably for reasons best known to him when granting pardon to former parliamentarian Duminda Silva in 2021. Although the recent Supreme Court (SC) Judgement that quashed Silva’s pardon reveals this, the former President by an affidavit dated February 3, 2023, has informed the Apex Court that he followed the due process and exercised powers duly and properly

DMT’s delayed e-motoring project now hits legal snag

It has been reported by the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) that plans are underway to initiate a project called ‘e-motoring’ which would eventually lead to large-scale frauds when implementing it. The biggest concern is that the project has been planned for without the calling of tenders. In 2018, the DMT initiated steps to introduce a new software for the project, which is an e-motoring project. The procurement process for this software was e

Controversy surrounds Semasinghe’s hotel under construction in Nuwara Wewa reserve

The law hasn’t been enforced yet against individuals who have constructed hotels on lands reclaimed within the Nuwara Wewa reserve in Anuradhapura. Some officials wielding power seem hesitant to initiate legal proceedings against such wrong doers. However, the Anuradhapura District Engineer of the Irrigation Department recently took legal measures to remove unauthorised constructions on the Nuwara Wewa Reserve. This action was taken after the ove

Failure to recover swindled TV rights fees irks cricket clubs

Despite the recommendations made by the Auditor General to recover the swindled TV broadcast right fee by Cricket Board officials .....

Dambulla rocked by loan scandal using bogus land deeds

Fraudulent business deals initiated with banks using counterfeit land deeds is a frequently discussed issue in Dambulla. In this article, the Daily Mirror attempts to shed light on the execution....

A TORTURE VICTIM’S DIARY: HORRORS, LIES AND THE TRUTH

The failure to terminate the services of the three police officers, who were found guilty by the Supreme Court of torturing and infringing the fundamental rights of a petitioner, has attracted public criticism....

State sector employment Trade unions knew of decision not to disburse bonuses-allowances for 2023

It has been reported recently that Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera has given instructions to withhold bonuses and other allowances to employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board for the year 2023. However, according to Rusiripala Thennakoon, the former Bank of Ceylon Chairman, bonuses and other allowances had been withheld not only for CEB employees, but also for all government institutions.Therefore, he added that issuing a separa

Crisis Hit Sri Lankans End Up In Foreign Cyber Slavery

In the early 2022, when the entire country was going through a ‘hell’ without essential goods, days long queues to buy fuel and gas....

Thoughts of a lawyer in retrospect of a landmark judgement on Rajapaksa brothers

Following the historical judgement delivered by the country’s apex court on November 14 (2023)-citing who is responsible for the country’s economic crisis- a few countries have sought views from the Counsel who appeared for the petitioners, how to file such cases in order to take legal action against their own politicians who have ruined their respective economies. Presidents Counsel (PC) Upul Jayasuriya, who led the team of counsel on behalf of

Spotlight on Ratnapura District: Authorities backing mining activities on areas prone to landslides

Due to the prevailing heavy rainfall during the past few days, warnings of landslides have been issued in various parts of the island. They serve as precautionary measures to mitigate severe damages....

Destructive activities by bigwigs threaten Tissa Wewa

When this newspaper inquired from former Deputy Minister of Irrigation W.P.B Ekanayake whether he constructed a house near Bank of Tissa Wewa near the reserve area and whether the construction gets inundated during floods he responded by stating, “I didn’t build a house near the reserve. The house was made in 1968. At that time the water level of Tissa Wewa was quite low. Due to the construction activities in sacred land areas the water level in

Govt. helpless as mill owners dance the Samba

As of now the mill owners have been engaged in raising the price of paddy. Given the current drought and rainfall situation that prevail these individuals are not only attempting to raise the price of paddy, but are also trying to create the illusion of a paddy shortage. The former Director of Agriculture K.B. Gunaratne when contacted questioned the Government whether there is a shortage of paddy in the country. The per capita paddy consumption i

How irresponsible spending drains SLC coffers

While Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is toiling to return to its glorious match winning trend, members forming the ‘Cricket Board’ and handling cricket administration are accused of abusing their positions and milking the rich coffers of the controlling body for cricket to their own whims and fancies. With the release of the Auditor General’s (AG) report on SLC astonishing details have surfaced as to how the hierarchy forming the Cricket Board’s admini

Police sources reveal how falsified evidence was used to shame and tame Shani

Following the acquittal of former Director CID of all charges filed against him by the Colombo Crime Division, it has come to light how Sri Lanka Police blatantly harassed and penalised the Senior Police Officer who they believe is a threat to their masters- the rulers in power. Sri Lanka Police have come under severe criticism for framing baseless allegations against the most senior investigator in the Department who fearlessly investigated hig

Sand excavation at Nuwara Wewa produces environmental threat

Efforts are currently underway to haphazardly excavate soil from tanks in Anuradhapura to fill the playgrounds owned by the Anuradhapura Municipal Council. Anuradhapura Municipal Commissioer, Ruwan Wijesinghe, has been accused of destroying tanks to obtain soil without conducting any Environmental assessments. Nuwara Wewa, which belongs to a highly sensitive ecological zone, has recently become a site of unauthorised soil excavation. The water le

Spotlight on Kataragama Dewalaya deviating from God worship to land grab

The sacred Kataragama Devalaya is facing accusations of deforestation and land grabbing as farmers in the surrounding Meegaswewa area are being evicted from their cultivation lands. These lands are then...

Imports From Pakistan Unregistered company in maize business raises eyebrows

State Minister for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya stated in August that the government had reduced the import tax on a kilogram of maize by 50 rupees. The previous import duty for a kilogram of maize was 75 rupees. Consequently, the import duty on a kilogram of maize has now been lowered to 25 rupees.

Controversy surrounds establishing information management system

The involvement of a former State Minister of Health and an Additional Secretary Ministry of Health to introduce an ‘information management system’ to manage medical supplies to health institutions in the country....

Online loan scams which land institutions and individuals in trouble

These are days when online loan systems are in operation offering a quick and convenient solution to individuals to meet their financial needs. Various institutions provide these loans through online platforms, using diverse methods. There are many borrowers who faced difficulties due to these loans where daily interest rates are misrepresented as monthly rates and other misleading terms.When borrowers default on their payments, these lenders ta

Privatising Nuwara Eliya Racecourse: A case of changing horses in the middle of a race!

The Sugathadasa National Sports Complex Authority (SNSCA) alleges that Royal Turf Club (RTC) is yet to pay a sum of Rs. 40 million as maintenance dues over the past few years. The 82-acre expanse of land- located...

Playing politics with empty stomachs in Padiyathalawa!

Although it is raining heavily in most parts of Sri Lanka these days, there are still many districts that have not received any rain. Ampara district is one and the locals are awaiting the arrival of rain; hoping....

El Niño effect in Sri Lanka exposes negligence by officials

El Niño occurs approximately once every 7-10 years. The El Niño effect takes place globally due to shifts in equatorial current patterns. In this case, sea winds fail to cool the ocean’s surface, leading to warmer seawater. Consequently, the surface temperature of the earth experiences an increase. Many countries globally detect such conditions. Presently, Sri Lanka has experienced an El Niño effect. Despite being aware of this situation, Sri Lan