Preliminary ministerial-level discussions for drafting the 2025 budget proposals related to the expenditure head of the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation were held  at the Presidential Secretariat, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Wednesday (11).

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance K. M. Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Senior Professor Kapila C.K. Perera and officers from the relevant ministry were also present at the discussion.

(PMD)

Washington alleged former of buying overpriced Airbuses and latter of corrupt MiG deal

The US Department of State has publicly designated the former CEO of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, and Former Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, for their alleged involvement in significant corruption.

As per a statement released by the US Department of State, Kapila Chandrasena was involved in corruption while serving in his capacity as SriLankan Airlines CEO in exchange for ensuring Sri Lanka purchased Airbus aircraft for over market value.

The US has said that Udayanga Weeratunga orchestrated and personally benefitted from a corrupt scheme involving the procurement of MiG aircraft for the Sri Lanka Air Force. As part of this action, family members of both Kapila Chandrasena and Udayanga Weeratunga have also been designated.

Accordingly, Kapila Chandrasena and Udayanga Weeratunga and their family members cannot enter the US.

The US State Department statement says the following regarding the two former Sri Lankan officials:

“Pursuant to Section 7031(c), the Department of State is publicly designating Kapila Chandrasena for his involvement in significant corruption. Chandrasena accepted a bribe while serving in his capacity as Sri Lankan Airlines CEO in exchange for ensuring Sri Lanka purchased Airbus aircraft for over market value. As part of this action, his immediate family members are also designated.”

 “Pursuant to Section 7031(c), the Department of State is publicly designating Udayanga Weeratunga for his involvement in significant corruption. Weeratunga orchestrated and personally benefitted from a corrupt scheme involving the procurement of MiG aircraft for the Sri Lankan Air Force. As part of this action, his immediate family members are also designated.”

The U.S. State Department announced a slew of sanctions on Monday to mark International Anti-Corruption Day and the eve of Human Rights Day, targeting individuals from multiple countries. It has designated 14 individuals, including immediate family members, from countries around the world for significant corruption and one individual for gross violations of human rights, pursuant to Section 7031(c) of the Department’s annual appropriations act, rendering them ineligible for entry into the United States.

The Department of State is also further taking steps to impose visa restrictions on dozens of individuals pursuant to multiple policies under section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Dr. Anil Jasinghe was appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the appointment was made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The official letter of appointment was handed over to Dr. Jasinghe by the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday