News
Investigation into missing DLB vehicle drags on for 14 years
House Inquiry reveals deficiencies in COPE, AG
An ongoing inquiry into the disappearance of a double cab, belonging to the Development Lotteries Board (DLB), way back in 2008 has revealed deficiencies in the Auditor General’s Department and the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE).
The tardy progress in the probe came to light when the COPE on 10 March took up with the DLB the disappearance of the cab, procured by the then Chairman of the DLB one-time lawmaker Sarana Gunawardena in 2008, at a cost of Rs. 8,095,000.
The COPE pointed out that the vehicle hadn’t been sighted since it was bought.
The COPE took up the issue at a meeting in the Parliamentary complex when the Auditor General’s reports for 2017 and 2018, pertaining to the DLB were examined. The reports on COPE proceedings made available to the media didn’t reveal the reason why the probe had dragged on for 14 years.
At the COPE meeting, chaired by its Chairperson, Prof. Charitha Herath, it was revealed how the DLB has been compelled to pay nearly Rs 16,190,000 to the private company that supplied the cab following a court ruling. The inquiry further revealed the DLB had suffered a loss of Rs 26,634,185 by 31 Dec, 2018. This amount included lawyers’ fees, the COPE revealed.
Among the lawmakers present at the inquiry were Ministers Sarath Weerasekera, Mahinda Amaraweera, State Minister Dr. Nalaka Godahewa and MPs, Susil Premjayantha, Jagath Pushpakumara, Champika Ranawaka, Dr. Harsha de Silva, Eran Wickramaratne, Madura Vithanage and Premnath C. Dolawatta.
A statement issued by the Office of the Legislative Services, Janakantha Silva, who is also the Acting Director, Communication, quoted the Chairman DLB, Ajith Naragala as having said that on the instructions of the Attorney General legal proceedings had been initiated to recover the losses incurred by the DLB.
Prof. Herath has pointed out how those who served on the board of directors of state enterprises caused significant losses to the government.
The COPE also asked the DLB why a state-of-the-art recording studio, built at a cost of Rs 38.75 mn hadn’t been used though it was available since 2015. Instead, the DLB had paid Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) Rs 2146.82 (well over Rs 2 bn) for recordings done at its studios, the COPE pointed out though the DLB claimed the recordings were done at a concessionary rate.
The DLB has told the COPE that it intended to develop the facility as an auditorium. Prof. Herath pointed out how the government suffered huge losses due to unilateral and unplanned ad-hoc decisions taken without proper consultations.
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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Hambanthota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
The National Building Research Institute has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Hambanthota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 16:00 hrs on 25.09.2026 To 16:00 hrs on 26.09.2026
Accordingly,
LEVEL III [RED] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Neluwa, Nagoda, Niyagama and Thawalama inthe Galle district, Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa and Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, and Kothmale West, Ambagamuwa, Kotmale East and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district.
LEVEL II [AMBER] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Elpitiya, Baddegama and Karandeniya in the Galle district, Walallawita in the Kalutara district, Deltota, Udunuwara, Gangawata Korale, Yatinuwara and Panvila in the Kandy district, Aranayake, Dehiowita, Mawanella, Deraniyagala and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district, Thalawakelle in the Nuwara Eliya district and Ratnapura and Pelmadulla in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka and Padukka in the Colombo district, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Katuwana and Walasmulla in the Hambanthota district, Ingiriya and Bulathsinhala in the Kalutara district, Hatharaliyadda, Poojapitiya, Medadumbara, Kundasale, Ududumbara, Thumpane, Akurana, Pathadumbara, Harispattuwa and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Warakapola, Bulathkohupitiya, Galigamuwa, Kegalle and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa, Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kegalle district, Pitabeddara, Kotapola and Pasgoda in the Matara district, Nuwara Eliya in the Nuwara Eliya district and Elapatha, Ayagama, Nivithigala, Kuruwita and Kalawana in the Ratnapura district
Parliament yesterday passed the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill with two-thirds majorities, with 158 MPs voting in favour and 63 against each Bill.
The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) voted with the SJB against the Bills.
NDF MPs Ravi Karunanayake and Faizer Musthapha and SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilaka were not present when the votes were taken.
The final vote on the Judicature (Amendment) Bill was announced at around 8.08 p.m. after Opposition MPs called for divisions on its clauses during the Committee Stage.
The votes followed a two-day debate which commenced on Thursday (24), after Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara presented the Bills for their Second Reading.
The Supreme Court’s determination on the Bills was presented to Parliament on Tuesday (22) by Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne. The Court determined that the 22nd Amendment Bill did not require approval at a referendum and could be passed by a special two-thirds majority in Parliament.
The amendment provides for raising the mandatory retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 and that of Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65. It also provides for the Chief Justice to retire at 67 or after completing six years in office, whichever comes earlier.
The Speaker informed Parliament that the Judicature (Amendment) Bill could be passed by a simple majority.
The SJB opposed the legislation and its MPs attended Parliament dressed in black yesterday. The party also staged a protest at Polduwa Junction, Battaramulla, under the theme “No to 22, which destroys democracy”, with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several SJB politicians participating.
A valid Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Certificate will be required for a range of key transactions in Sri Lanka from November 1, 2026, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced.
The requirement, introduced under the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2026, applies to transactions specified under Section 102(3) of the Inland Revenue Act.
Accordingly, individuals will be required to produce a valid TIN Certificate when opening an account at a bank or financial institution, obtaining approval for a building plan, registering or renewing the licence of a motor vehicle, registering land or title to land, registering a business, transferring shares in a company incorporated in Sri Lanka or obtaining a credit card.
In the case of share transfers, both the transferor and transferee will be required to provide TIN certificates.
The IRD said officials handling such transactions had been instructed to ensure that a valid TIN Certificate was submitted before processing or completing the relevant transaction.
The Department advised those who do not already have a TIN to obtain one in advance through its e-Services platform.
It said a printout of the TIN verification result showing the applicant’s National Identity Card number and TIN could also be accepted instead of the certificate.The IRD also reiterated that obtaining a TIN is mandatory for resident individuals aged 18 and above under the applicable provisions.
Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Hambanthota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
Showers in the Western, Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Batticaloa and Ampara districts.
22A, Judicature Amendment Bills passed with 2/3 majority
TIN mandatory for key transactions from Nov. 1
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