The Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday strongly condemned fraudulent cryptocurrency advertisements currently being circulated on Facebook and Instagram, falsely featuring Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and other well-known Sri Lankan figures.

“These deceptive ads, operated by foreign entities, aim to mislead the public and exploit the trust associated with prominent personalities,” the statement said.

Investigations have revealed that the scam campaigns originate from fraudulent accounts based in Lithuania, specifically targeting Sri Lankan Facebook users. Similar misleading ads have recently featured Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Science and Technology Minister Chrishantha Abeysena, and journalists Amantha Perera and Sunanda Deshapriya, among others.

The Prime Minister’s Office has urged the public to exercise extreme caution when encountering online advertisements promoting cryptocurrency investments, particularly those falsely claiming endorsements from government officials and public figures.

“No government official or ministry has endorsed any cryptocurrency investment scheme,” the statement emphasized.

Despite repeated reports and removal requests, variations of these fraudulent advertisements continue to appear on social media, raising concerns over Facebook’s inability to effectively curb online scams. The Prime Minister’s Office has called upon Meta (Facebook’s parent company) to take immediate and stronger action to protect Sri Lankan users from financial fraud.

Public Advisory: How to Stay Safe

• Do not engage with or click on suspicious ads claiming endorsements from public figures.
• Report fraudulent advertisements directly on Facebook and Instagram.
• Verify financial opportunities through legitimate sources before investing.

The Prime Minister’s Office reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the public from online fraud and will continue working with relevant authorities to combat this growing threat. It also urged media organizations and digital platforms to act responsibly in curbing the spread of misinformation and scams.

For official government updates, citizens are advised to follow the Prime Minister’s Office’s website and official social media channels.

A discussion on the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Festival 2025”, organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office, was held on March 12 under the patronage of Prime Minister’s Secretary, Pradeep Saputhanthri.

The festival is set to take place from May 12 onwards in and around the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, Temple Trees, Perahera Mawatha, and the Beira Lake area.

The event will showcase Vesak decorations, pandals, and lantern exhibitions, with contributions from the Tri-Forces, school students, university undergraduates, government institutions, and even prison inmates.

Additionally, in line with the Buddha Rashmi Vesak Festival, special religious programs will be conducted in government schools and state institutions to promote the spirit of Vesak across the nation.

March 13, Colombo (LNW): The Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has been briefed on irregularities surrounding the purchase of medicines during the tenure of former Health Minister, Keheliya Rambukwella.

The session, held recently, saw key officials from the health sector, including those from the National Medicine Regulatory Authority of Sri Lanka (NMRA), provide crucial insights into the matter.

Among those present were NMRA Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, CEO Saveen Semage, and Dr. Asela Gunawardena, the Director General of Health Services.

It was revealed that crucial technical documentation had been absent from records related to the medicines purchased during that period.

Both Dr. Wijewickrama and Mr. Semage confirmed that the paperwork issued by the previous NMRA Board failed to include necessary technical details, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the procurement process.

Dr. Gunawardena spoke out during the meeting, highlighting his reservations about the transparency of the procurement procedure. He disclosed that he had been handed a file outlining a “special path” for purchasing medicines, a process he deemed problematic.

Dr. Gunawardena explained that, due to the lack of supporting documentation, he had advised the Health Ministry Secretary against granting approval for the purchase without the required papers.

He added that he had expressed his concerns through formal recommendations, but his role had been limited to this advisory capacity.

Further complications emerged when Dr. Pradeep Kumarasinghe De Silva, a board member of the NMRA, revealed that a board meeting had been organised abruptly, just prior to a planned dinner for the NMRA staff. During this meeting, the issue of medicine procurement was raised, but it was revealed that the details of the purchases were not open for discussion.

Dr. De Silva explained that a document listing several medicines was submitted for approval at the end of the meeting, but when board members questioned the lack of discussion, they were told that Cabinet approval had already been granted. This raised concerns about the lack of transparency and due process in the decision-making.

Prof. Priyadarshani Galappaththi, a member of the expert committee tasked with investigating Anaphylaxis incidents related to drug use in healthcare facilities in 2023, shed further light on the situation. She disclosed that the Medicines Evaluation Committee had been sent a list of 300 medicines for approval, many of which were subject to a request for a waiver of registration.

Prof. Galappaththi and her colleagues had objected to the approval of these medicines, citing concerns over their safety and the lack of adequate evaluation. However, they were informed that the medicines were considered “essential,” and failure to approve them could lead to a shortage in Sri Lanka.

In a particularly concerning revelation, Prof. Galappaththi stated that some of the companies involved in the procurement had previously been blacklisted, yet they were still allowed to participate in the bidding process.

The COPE committee was also informed that during this period, Professor S. D. Jayaratne served as the head of the NMRA, Dr. Vijith Gunasekera as the CEO, and Keheliya Rambukwella as the Minister of Health.

March 13, Colombo (LNW): The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has issued a statement today confirming that there have been no revisions to the maximum retail prices for raw rice, despite reports circulating that some rice mill owners and wholesalers are attempting to sell rice at inflated prices.

According to the CAA, these traders have been misleading retailers, suggesting that the government’s price regulations on rice have been altered.

As a result, numerous retailers have been approaching authorities with queries, uncertain whether the controlled prices still apply.

The CAA has firmly stated that the maximum retail prices for raw rice, as per the official gazette notification, remain intact. There has been no change to the prices set by the government, and they continue to be as follows:

• Raw red rice – Rs. 220 per kg
• Nadu rice – Rs. 230 per kg
• Samba rice – Rs. 240 per kg
• Keeri Samba rice – Rs. 260 per kg

The regulatory body has also reassured the public that it will continue to monitor and enforce these price controls with the utmost diligence.

Regular raids and investigations will be carried out across the country, with legal action planned against any vendors found attempting to sell rice at prices above the regulated limits.

March 13, Colombo (LNW): A man believed to be the brother of infamous organised crime figure Balachandran Pushparaj, more commonly known as “Pukudu Kanna”, has been apprehended at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

The arrest occurred earlier this morning (13th March) when officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) detained the individual as he arrived in Sri Lanka from India.

Authorities confirmed that the 36-year-old, identified as Balachandran Gajendran, was attempting to enter the country with a forged passport.

Gajendran, who hails from Jampettah Street in Colombo 10, is currently in police custody. He is expected to appear before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court in the coming days.

Sources within law enforcement have indicated that Gajendran’s ties to the criminal underworld, particularly his association with his notorious brother, are of significant interest to investigators.

March 13, Colombo (LNW): Medical professionals and staff at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital have officially ended their strike following successful discussions with the relevant authorities, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) announced.

Earlier today (13) at 8.00 am, the 24-hour nationwide strike initiated by the GMOA was also brought to a close. The strike had been called in response to the distressing sexual assault of a lady doctor at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, which had left the medical community in shock and disbelief.

Whilst the main suspect in the assault was promptly arrested, medical staff at the hospital initially chose to extend their protest, citing concerns over the lack of adequate security measures for hospital employees.

The call for better safety protocols within hospital premises had become a key demand, as healthcare workers expressed their fears over the safety of both staff and patients.

The strike, which garnered significant attention, sparked widespread outrage and sympathy within the medical sector, with healthcare professionals across the country urging the authorities to take immediate action to improve security in medical institutions.

In light of the recent discussions with hospital and government officials, assurances were made regarding enhanced security measures, leading to the decision to call off the strike at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.

It is hoped that these measures will not only address immediate concerns but also set a precedent for improving safety in healthcare settings nationwide.