Colombo (LNW): A total of 1,554 individuals were apprehended for involvement in drug trafficking during Operation ‘Yukthiya’ (Justice), which concluded at 12:30 am today (30).
Police have initiated investigations on 82 of the detained suspects based on detention orders, while 62 individuals have been referred to drug rehabilitation centres.
Additionally, 128 individuals wanted by the Police Narcotics Bureau and Special Bureau were arrested.
The police have commenced illegal asset investigations against the apprehended suspects.
The drug raids conducted during the operation resulted in the seizure of various drugs, including heroin, crystal methamphetamine (“ICE”), and cannabis.
All Ceylon Filling Station Owners’ Assn President Shelton Fernando says the demand for fuel during the festive season has reduced by a staggering 50%, and therefore the filling station owners are facing difficulties: Central Bank however insists that the economy has “stabilized”.
Former SLFP General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara expresses willingness to contest the forthcoming Presidential Election if the majority of his Party consents: also says the vacuum left by leftist progressive nationalist political forces can’t be filled by “outdated politicians” from the 1950s.
President’s Office says Treasury released funds for all government-approved payments until December 15, 2023, aligning with the 2023 budget: insists it’s the first time in 25 years all payments were settled in one year: critics say several Ministers including Dr Bandula Gunawardene have however lamented that essential projects have been delayed due to funds not being released by the Treasury: others point out that the Treasury Secretary is on record that Rs.10bn allocated for the conduct of the LG elections couldn’t be released due to lack of funds.
Dept of Census & Statistics says Inflation as measured by the CCPI increased to 4.0% in Dec’23 from 3.4% in Nov’23: Food-Inflation increased to 0.3% in Dec’23 from (-3.6)% in Nov’23, while Non-Food Inflation decreased to 5.8% in Dec’23, from 6.8% in Nov’23.
Arrack prices to increase by an average of Rs.300 per 750ml bottle, following the imposition of VAT @ 18% from 1st Jan’24.
Opppsition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa denounces increase in VAT: cites official statistics that 60% of SL households have experienced income reductions while 90% have seen their expenses surge: analysts point out SJP’s own “economic guru” Harsha de Silva has however been the most ardent advocate of higher Govt Revenue which has led to higher taxes being imposed on the people.
CB Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe responds to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s pledge to “renegotiate the IMF agreement in case they get back to power”: says any Govt could renegotiate the IMF programme, but it would be required to follow the path already chosen to get “international support”: insists that SL needs to go in that direction during the 10-year period of “debt restructuring”.
CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe emphasizes the “parate law” is important for the security and safety of bank deposits: says those who call for the abolishing of the “parate law” are those groups who are defaulting on loans.
Ministry of Public Security says 17,837 suspects were arrested in the last 12 days during the “Yukthiya” operation to crackdown on drugs & underworld: also says investigations launched into 850 suspects: further says the Illegal Assets & Property Investigation Unit has launched probes into 186 suspects: asserts that 10.51kg of Heroin, 6.74kg ICE, 288.5kg Cannabis were also seized.
Chathurika Priyanthi, representing the SL Navy in the 87kg weight-lifting category, lifts a remarkable 90kg in snatch, 113kg in clean & jerk, totaling an impressive 203kgs: this performance shatters 3 SL records.
Colombo (LNW): State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has noted a surge in import activities by businessmen ahead of the upcoming VAT revision, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024.
He highlighted that the daily import volume of essential goods, which typically stood at around 700 containers, has recently increased to approximately 1,000 containers.
Additionally, the State Minister clarified that organic fertilisers have been granted an exemption from the Value Added Tax (VAT).
Colombo (LNW): The Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (DCSL) has declared a forthcoming increase in the prices of its alcoholic beverages effective January 1, 2024, attributing the adjustment to the recent revision of the Value Added Tax (VAT).
The price adjustments will be as follows based on bottle size:
Colombo (LNW): The number of reported dengue infections in December this year surpassed 10,000, contributing to a total of 87,078 cases recorded in 2023.
The highest incidence occurred in the Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara districts, according to health authorities.
Of the overall cases, 39,543 were reported in the Western Province. Specifically, the Gampaha District documented 18,401 cases, followed by the Colombo District with 16,020 cases, and the Kalutara District with 5,122 cases.
Additional cases were identified in the Puttalam and Kandy districts.
Tragically, three individuals, including a university student and an 11-month-old infant, succumbed to dengue fever in recent days.
Furthermore, 62 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas have been classified as ‘high-risk’ zones, indicating elevated vulnerability to dengue infections in those regions.
Colombo (LNW): A woman, aged 54 and a resident of the Medawachchiya area, who had contracted the Covid-19 virus, died yesterday (29) while receiving treatment at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.
The deceased, a mother of three, was initially admitted to the Medawachchiya Hospital for a respiratory condition and subsequently transferred to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital for advanced medical care.
The cause of death was confirmed to be related to the Covid-19 infection during the course of her treatment.
Colombo (LNW): The “Little Hearts Project” in Sri Lanka received a tremendous boost with a generous donation of Rs. 1,000,000,000.00 from renowned businessman Mr. Nahil Wijesuriya.
This philanthropic initiative aims to enhance cardiac and critical care facilities for children at Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital (LRH) in Colombo.
The donation by Mr. Wijesuriya is expected to significantly expedite the completion of the Cardiac and Critical Care Complex, making a substantial impact on paediatric healthcare in the country.
The Little Hearts Project focuses on addressing the healthcare needs of young patients, particularly in the realm of cardiac care.
The substantial contribution by Mr. Wijesuriya underscores the importance of private philanthropy in supporting critical infrastructure projects within the healthcare sector.
Absolutely thrilled that Mr. Nahil Wijesuriya has donated Rs. 1,000,000,000.00 to the Little Hearts Project! 🙌 His generosity will accelerate the completion of the Cardiac and Critical Care Complex at Lady Ridgeway Hospital. Kudos to a true philanthropist! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/gHa9T3HA2h
We're immensely proud of my father-in-law, Nahil Wijesuriya, for his extraordinary donation of one billion Rupees to the Little Hearts account at Lady Ridgway Hospital.
His generosity is a beacon of hope for the children of our country, and we're profoundly grateful for his… pic.twitter.com/P620GJs5o1
Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa lauded Wijesuriya’s generosity, recognising him as a true philanthropist.
The funds donated will play a crucial role in advancing medical facilities for children, contributing to the overall well-being of young patients at the LRH.
A philanthropist and a well-known business figure, Mr. Wijesuriya is also the father-in-law of Rehan Jayawickreme, the former Chairman of Weligama Urban Council.
Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Eastern and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa, Matale, Nuwara-Eliya and Hambantota districts, with fairly heavy showers above 75 mm being expected at some places, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (30).
Several spells of showers will occur in Northern province and in Anuradhapura and Kandy districts, the statement added, revealing that showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere of the island after 2.00 p.m.
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times in Eastern slopes of the Central hills and in Northern, North-Central, North-western, Eastern,Uva and Southern provinces.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces during the morning.
The public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Galle via Batticaloa, Pottuvil and Hambantota. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in other sea areas around the island during the afternoon or night.
Winds:
Winds will be north-easterly and wind speed will be (25-35) kmph. Wind speed may increase up to (50-55) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar and from Pottuvil to Galle via Hambantota. Wind speed may increase up to (40-50) kmph in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Pottuvil via Trincomalee and Batticaloa.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar and also from Pottuvil to Galle via Hambantota will be rough at times. The sea areas off the coast extending Kankasanthurai to Pottuvil via Trincomalee and Batticaloa will be fairly rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Colombo (LNW): The Government will amend the Sri Lanka Social Security Board Act to streamline contributory pension scheme for self- employed persons specially farmers and fishermen.
State Minister of Social Empowerment Anupa Pasqual said that he has submitted a proposal to the finance ministry to amend the Act and devise the scheme in consultation with the Labour Ministry.
The contributory pension scheme for self-employed who are not members of the existing social security schemes is to be presented in parliament soon, he divulged.
Existing social security and pension schemes are to be expanded ensuring better social protection for self-employed persons countrywide, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said.
He noted that a decision has been taken to restructure the Sri Lanka Social Security Board and devise a necessary plan and methodology to expand and extend the existing social security scheme enrolling more self-employed.
The Social Security Board is to be transformed into an institution that is not a burden to the Treasury and provides more services to the people by introducing novel and innovative income generating schemes.
All persons who are not entitled to receive pension or are not holding pensionable jobs are eligible to enroll in these schemes.
There are also contributory pension schemes for the informal sector workers which include the Farmers Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme (FMPS), Fishermen’s Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme (FSHPS) and the Self-employed Persons Pension Scheme (SPPS).
Meanwhile due to the absence of a system for granting pensions for 64,117 Fishermen who had contributed to the Fishermen’s Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme when they reached the age of 60.
Fishermen’s Pension Benefit had not been granted to the 22,402 fishermen out of 27,976 people who had contributed to the scheme as of 31 December of the year 2022 under review and reached the retirement age by exceeding age of 60.Auditor Generals latest report revealed.
Payment of Rs.6 million of Pension arrears for 137 fishermen who have applied for pension in respect of the period from January 2009 to December 2016 and 83 fishermen who have applied for pension in the year 2022 had been delay from 01month to 07 years after completing 60years of age.
Farmers Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme has also failed yo make pension payments properly to farmers.
Administrative expenses received from the Treasury have been credited to the bank account of the Agriculture and Agrarian Insurance Scheme Rs.190 million received from Treasury for administrative expenses of Farmers
Pension Fund during the year 2022 under review was not credited to the bank account of Farmers Pension Fund and had been credited to the bank account of Agriculture and Agrarian Insurance Scheme.
871,425 contributors are registered in the existing data system and pension benefits had not been paid for 246,531 contributors out of 439,025 contributors who have completed 60 years of age as on 31 December 2022.
Colombo (LNW): Harith Gunawardena, a distinguished journalist and renowned advertising designer, passed away on the morning of December 28.
His remains are currently placed at his residence at No. 181/B/1/6, Suhanda Mawatha, Arawwala Road, Moraketia, Pannipitiya.
The funeral is scheduled to take place at the Arawala Public Cemetery on Saturday (December 30) at 4:00 pm, his family relatives confirmed.
Gunawardena gained popularity through his longstanding political column, “King Banat,” published on the “Sunday Island” newspaper for several decades. Additionally, he is remembered for his creative contributions, including the hit political muppet show “Always Breakdown,” broadcast on TNL. Characters like Kiriberti, Amden Aiya, Anibal Akka, Alpenis, Binkomando, Gonson, and Saline, created by Gunawardena, enjoyed widespread popularity among fans.
His exclusive feature articles series, “Atamassa” and the “Advertising Lokaya,” were published in The Leader and LNW.
Gunawardena, who recently held the position of chairman at Salasine, served as a creative director in various well-known advertising agencies in Sri Lanka.
An alumnus of Ananda College, Colombo, he is also a graduate of the University of Colombo.
