The Tobacco Company has reportedly decided to increase the prices of cigarettes effective from midnight today.
The government has decided to revise several taxes including the Value Added Tax (VAT) with immediate effect and simultaneously the prices of cigarettes will also have be increased due to the increase in production prices, the Company noted.
The revised prices will be announced tonight.
Meanwhile, the prices of liquor have also been increased in response to the revised taxes.
MIAP
Former MP Duminda Silva whose arrest was reconfirmed by the Supreme Court yesterday was admitted to the Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital today (01). The former MP is being treated at Ward 18, according to report.
Hospital sources claim that the ex-convict was diagnosed for epilepsy.
A group of officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had been to the hospital to arrest the former MP.
The arrest on Silva will be made if his condition is not serious, said Police Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police Nihal Thalduwa.
MIAP
Import restrictions have been relaxed on 369 items.
Accordingly, these items can be imported subject to taxes and laws and regulations in force, a statement by the Finance Ministry noted.
MIAP
Former President and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP Maithripala Sirisena announced that all SLFP members who had violated the Party’s view to support the government as an Opposition by joining the government will be dismissed from their party titles.
Accordingly, SLFP MPs Nimal Siripala De Silva and Mahinda Amaraweera who were sworn in as ministers of the Ranil-led regime will be removed from all SLFP-titles.
The decision has been made following a decision taken by the SLFP Central Working Committee.
MIAP
The Attorney General has instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to arrest former Minister Johnston Fernando, over the mob attack launched by pro-Rajapaksa protesters on the peaceful protests held in GotaGoGama and MainaGoGama on May 09.
Excerpts from the CID’s probe into the allegations have been submitted to the AG’s Office and the above instruction was made thereafter.
MIAP
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has reportedly headed to the Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital to arrest ex-convict Duminda Silva, whose pardon granted by President Rajapaksa was suspended by the Supreme Court yesterday.
The brother of the famous media mogul was recently out of the country but has admitted himself to the Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital upon return.
However, following the Supreme Court’s order, even the Attorney General had instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to immediately arrest the former MP.
Reports claimed that even the President himself has instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (IGP) to expedite the arrest regardless of his whereabouts.
The order to arrest Silva was declared by the Supreme Court upon considering a fundamental rights (FR) petition filed by former MP Hirunika Premachandra challenging the President’s decision to pardon him.
Accordingly, Silva’s conviction will be reenacted until the hearing is concluded.
MIAP
The Public Service Commission has ordered the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security to justify his action of transferring three Senior Deputy Inspector Generals (SDIG) of Police without its approval within three days.
Secretary of the Public Service Commission A.M.B. Daya Senarath in a letter addressed to the Ministry has called for a report pertaining to the transfers.
Prior to being proceeded, transfers involving SDIGs and DIGs should be approved by the Public Service Commission and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) acted beyond the Commission’s powers, Senarath noted, stressing that the IGP has no capacity to act beyond the powers vested in the Commission by the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2002/24 dated November 20, 2020.
SDIGs M.D.R. Daminda and K.A. Rohana and acting SDIG L.K.W.A. Silva were transferred by the IGP on May 27 citing service requirements.
MIAP
Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage who was appointed as the 24th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army assumed duties at the Army Headquarters today (01).
Liyanage joined the Sri Lanka Army on October 27, 1986 as a Cadet officer and served as the Commanding Officer of the 08th Gajaba Regiment of 57th and 56th Brigades.
In his career as a military officer, Liyanage has been awarded many medals including the Ranavikrama and Ranasura Medals, the Eastern Humanitarian Operation Medal and the Northern and Eastern Operational Medals.
MIAP
Senior Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Thennakoon who is currently on compulsory leave is likely to be arrested today, sources disclosed.
Thennakoon was accused of failing to avert the brutal assault launched on peaceful protests held in GotaGoGama and MainaGoGama on May 09 and is being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
As a statement was being recorded from the SDIG, Thennakoon had confessed that he had been telephoned by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and ordered not to dissolve the crowd who attacked the protests.
To corroborate Thennakoon’s story, the CID had obtained the SDIG’s mobile phone and its investigative unit is further probing the case via telephone data.
As a result, the SDIG is said to be arrested today.
MIAP
The crude oil price has surged again in the global market, exceeding the US$ 124 price margin of a barrel of crude oil.
Crude oil prices have been indicating a rise in the global market over the past month and fuel prices in the domestic market have also been rising simultaneously.
Nevertheless, fuel prices are likely to increase again this month given that the Subject Ministry has announced that fuel prices in the domestic market will respond to a ‘fuel price formula’ in compliance with the global market.
MIAP