News
Govt. assures thorough probe
By Saman Indrajith
The government assured Parliament yesterday that it would investigate media reports about hazardous materials on board the cargo vessel that collided with a key Baltimore bridge last week while on its way to Colombo.
Environment State Minister Janaka Wakkumbura gave the assurance, and added that Lankan authorities had not yet been informed about the content of the cargo.
He gave the assurance when dissident SLPP MP Prof Charitha Herath raised the issue of reports that among its cargo there had been containers carrying hazardous materials in the Singapore-flagged vessel ‘Dali’, which was mainly manned by an Indian crew. It collided with the 2.6-km-long four-lane Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Patapsco River in Baltimore in the early hours of March 26. Some media reports have claimed that the 984-foot cargo ship was bound for Colombo carrying 764 tonnes of hazardous materials to Colombo. “This is a serious situation, and we must take immediate action to ascertain what really is happening,” Prof Herath said in his speech made with special permission from the Chair.
Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa demanded to know from the government whether permission had been granted to unload cargo in the Colombo port.
State Minister Wakkumbura said that both Sri Lanka Customs and the Colombo Port had been instructed to investigate the matter. “The Central Environment Authority has not been informed of any hazardous cargo. They will carry out an investigation. We will inform Parliament of the results of this,” Wakkumbura said.
News
“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President
The book “Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” ,authored by Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahinda Siriwardana, was officially launched this morning (08) at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, with the participation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
The first copy of the publication was formally presented to President Disanayake by Mr. Siriwardana during the event.
It has been reported that former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias ‘Pilleyan’ has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
A meeting between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and senior officials of SriLankan Airlines was held this afternoon (April 8) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussions mainly focused on proposals to transform SriLankan Airlines into a more profitable state-owned enterprise. Special attention was also given to possible short-term and long-term solutions for the airline’s debt management.
The talks further explored new investment opportunities for the airline. The President instructed the officials to take all necessary steps to transform SriLankan Airlines into a profit-making entity.
Although the airline has recorded operational profits, due to past mismanagement and poor decision-making, it remains one of the leading loss-making state enterprises. The current government has decided to reverse the previous administration’s decision to privatize the airline. Instead, it plans to continue operating it as the national carrier while introducing a new management structure to ensure its profitability moving forward.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, President’s Senior Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Sarath Ganegoda along with several senior officials of SriLankan Airlines, were present at the meeting.
“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President
Former state minister arrested by CID
President meets with senior officials of SriLankan Airlines
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