Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.

Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.

The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.

The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.

He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.

A land distribution programme benefiting families displaced by disaster in the Kandy District was held on April 24 at the Kandy District Secretariat, with 44 affected households receiving plots in the Hanthana area.

The initiative targeted residents of the Gangawata Korale Divisional Secretariat division whose homes were completely destroyed in a recent disaster, leaving them without permanent shelter.

The event was presided over by Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Livestock and Irrigation K. D. Lalkantha, who said arrangements had been made to provide each beneficiary with Rs. 5 million in instalments through the Pathahewaheta Divisional Secretariat to support the construction of new homes.

He noted that the land parcels had been identified from an estate in the Hanthana area and subsequently subdivided into demarcated plots for distribution among the recipients.

Members of Parliament representing the Kandy District from the NPP, along with Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatta and Gangawata Korale Divisional Secretary Amila Navaratne, were among those present. Government officials and beneficiaries also attended the event.

The programme forms part of ongoing efforts to provide permanent housing solutions and restore livelihoods for families affected by natural disasters in the region.

Text and Pic by SK Samaranayake

Text and Pic by Nishendra Silva

The Sri Lanka Police Scout Division was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held recently at Police Headquarters, marking a significant step towards integrating scouting principles within the police service.

The event was presided over by IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya and Chief Scout Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Scout Association Manoj Nanayakkara. The initiative to establish the new division was conceptualised by Nanayakkara as part of efforts to promote leadership, discipline and community engagement within the police force.

A high-level delegation from the Sri Lanka Scout Association was present, including its President Ransiri Perera, National Training Commissioner Padmalal Perera, and National Programme Commissioner Geeth Ramesh. Assistant Chief Commissioners Chandrani Fernando, Deshan Milinda and Sampath Kariyawasam were also in attendance, along with Training Directors Indrajith Ramanayake and Tilakman Pathmasiri.

Representing the Sri Lanka Police were several senior officials, including Senior DIG (Administration) Sanjeewa Dharmaratne, Senior DIG (Western Province) Sajeewa Medawatta, and Senior DIG (Support Services) Rajitha Sri Daminda.

Senior DIG (Training and Higher Training) Sampath Kumara Liyanage, who has been appointed to head the newly formed Police Scout Division, was also present. He is expected to oversee the launch and ongoing operations of police scouting activities, supported by other senior officers tasked with implementing the initiative.