News
COPE takes GSMB to task for irregularities
The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) had not paid royalty to the Treasury for many years, Prof. Charitha Herath, Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) noted when officials of the GSMB Technical Services (pvt) Ltd, affiliated to the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, were summoned before COPE on 23 February.
Instead of transferring funds to the Treasury, officials had deposited the money in the fixed deposit accounts of the Bureau. Although the royalty collected by the Bureau from the year 2016 to 2021 was Rs. 16,591,075,088 only Rs. 8,520,235,812 has been transferred to the Treasury.
The watchdog Committee also looked into salaries paid by the Bureau to employees of GSMB Technical Services (pvt) Ltd. A number of staff members had been recruited in excess of the approved cardre and the Chairman of the COPE instructed the Secretary to the Ministry to conduct an inquiry into the matter. The COPE Chairman said that if there was a shortage of staff in the Bureau, it should inform the Department of Management Services and obtain approval.
The COPE noted that the Action Plan prepared for the Bureau for the years 2019-2023, at a cost of Rs. 2,581,633, had not yet been properly submitted to the board of directors for approval. It also took into account the shortfall in the number of Audit Committee meetings held by the Bureau in the recent past, and stressed the need for conducting proper audit meetings.
Prof. Herath also drew attention to the fact that Parliament had not been informed of the progress of the implementation of the recommendations made by the COPE on the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau dated 18 September 2019. The members of the committee emphasized that Parliament be made aware of the implementation of the recommendations made by the parliamentary watchdog.
The two institutions are due to be called before COPE again in another month’s time.
In addition, the first report of the Committee on Public Enterprises of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament was tabled for the approval of the Members of the Committee. The third report of the first session could not be tabled in Parliament and the committee members agreed to table it on 25 Feb.
News
Law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally- State Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe
State Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22] said that the law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally.
He said that , if someone joins a municipal council receiving a modest salary and, within two to three years, builds a luxury house and acquires a vehicle, we will question how such wealth was amassed. If a satisfactory explanation cannot be provided, the law will be enforced and the measures will be taken to confiscate any illegally acquired assets.
The opposition frequently levels accusations against us, but we have not engaged in any wrongdoing. We have not misappropriated public funds, used undue influence to secure school admissions for our children, or interfered with law enforcement. We are dedicated to serving the people by upholding an ethical and responsible political culture.
If you wish to develop your community, I respectfully urge you to elect individuals of integrity who will not misuse public funds.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
It has been reported that prison officials and the police have brought the unrest among the 500 plus inmates of the Matara prison which commenced on Tuesday [22] under control by this morning (23)
It has been reported that the inmates had broken out of their wards after which the officials were compelled to fire in the air and use tear gas to bring the situation under control.
The inmates are being temporarily transferred to the Angunkolapelessa prison in groups to enable authorities to repair the the damage caused to the wards and cells within the premises.
The prison officials who were injured during the conflict are receiving treatment at the Matara hospital. 
Latest News
Local government authorities and Municipal Councils are the nursery of corrupt politics. – Prime Minister
The Prime Minister stated that the President has challenged all ministers to transparently and efficiently spend the funds allocated to each ministry through the national budget for the benefit of the people, and that the local governments and municipal councils have historically been the nursery grounds of corrupt politics.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22].
The Prime Minister further stated:
“All 159 of us in Parliament today did not enter through family or financial influence. We are ordinary citizens just like you and individuals who stand among you. Unlike in the past, our members do not behave disruptively in Parliament. When school children visit, there is no need for the Speaker to request their removal that our parliamentary members conduct themselves with dignity, adherence to the law, and political maturity.
This is the kind of Parliament we have always aspired to have. Today, it is you who has made this transformation possible. For a long time, we have not experienced the advantages of an efficient and properly functioning local government. You now have the opportunity to elect representatives who are truly committed to serving you and improving your local institutions.
The event was attended by Arosh Athapaththu, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte Municipal Council candidate representing the National People’s Power, along with several other candidates and a large number of local residents.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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