News

Lak Sathosa garlic scam: Whistle-blower prevented from leaving for Dubai

Published

4 years ago

2022/01/24

By Shamindra Ferdinando

One-time Executive Director of Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), Thushan Gunawardena says the Immigration and Emigration Department has barred him from leaving the country.

An irate Gunawardena alleges he is being harassed over the disclosure of a massive garlic scam at Lak Sathosa last September.

“Instead of prosecuting those responsible, expeditiously, regardless of their status, I’m being targeted for ordering the raid that exposed the corrupt lot,” Gunawardena told The Island soon after returning home. The ex-CAA official declared he would be soon filing a fundamental rights case against the Immigration and Emigration Department et al.

Gunawardena said that the senior officer in charge of the Immigration and Emigration unit at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in the early hours of Saturday (22) informed him of the instructions received in this regard. Gunawardena was to board the Colombo-Dubai Emirates flight that departed at 2.55 am, Saturday.

Asked whether his passport had been impounded over the ongoing case at the Wattala Magistrate court over the Lak Sathosa garlic scam, or the CID probing the case ever informed him being a suspect in this particular case, Gunawardena said how could that be when he was responsible for the detection.

Gunawardena said that a stock of 56,000 kilos of garlic that had been released by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to Lak Sathosa, was sold to a regular Lak Sathosa supplier at about Rs 135 a kilo. The Sathosa management had planned to buy back the same consignment at Rs 445 a kilo and then make it available to consumers at about Rs 540 a kilo. Alleging that the fraud had been perpetrated at Lak Sathosa management level, Gunawardena said the plan had gone awry due to the raid carried on information provided by an insider. Lak Sathosa had sold the stock at such a low price to a supplier on the basis of poor quality in spite of Quality Assurance clearance, Gunawardena said, such fraudulent activities were rampant though never been properly investigated.

Gunawardena said that the government owed an explanation how the Immigration and Emigration Department had thwarted his departure in spite of him carrying a valid passport. “I was told the BIA unit acted on the instructions received from their head office at ‘Suhurupaya’ Sri Subhuthipura road, Battaramulla. But, the issue at hand is as my passport hadn’t been impounded in connection with investigations into the garlic scam, there is suspicious of interested parties manipulating the Immigration and Emigration Department.”

Gunawardena said that according to a document that had been received by the Immigration and Emigration unit, he was categorized as a suspect along with five others unknown to him.

The Immigration and Emigration Department 1962 hotline in a recorded message stated that the department could be contacted only on weekdays between 8.30 am and 4.15 pm.

Gunawardena emphasized the political leadership couldn’t absolve itself of the responsibility for what was happening with the connivance of lawmakers and top officials. Gunawardena said that he learnt a bitter lesson having had an opportunity to serve as CAA executive. “Corruption here is nothing but a way of life. The current dispensation, despite its leaders’ pledges, has done nothing to curtail waste, corruption and irregularities,” Gunawardena said.

Responding to another query, Gunawardena said that he expected the Justice Ministry, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), the Human Rights Commission as well as the Police Commission to inquire into this matter.

Gunawardena claimed that he earned the wrath of both Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena and State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna for going public with garlic fraud. Now that the government had prevented him from attending some meetings in Dubai connected with his present employment he was seriously contemplating seeking compensation for loss of business opportunities.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has assigned the Immigration and Emigration Department to Defense State Minister Chamal Rajapaksa. The Immigration and Emigration Department is one of the 31 state institutions that come under the purview of the Defence Ministry.

The Police Department, State Intelligence Service (SIS), Registration of Persons Department, National Dangerous Drugs Control Board and the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRC) are among other state institutions coming under the purview of the Defence Ministry.

Gunawardena said that a senior management level official who had been arrested and then granted bail pending further investigations into the garlic scam was reinstated. Recalling he sent in his resignation to Chairman CAA retired Maj. General Shantha Dissanayake in the third week of Sept last year, Gunawardena said government actions couldn’t certainly be compatible with the much-touted policy statement titled Vistas of Splendor.

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Experts: NPP education reforms unsuitable for SL

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/11

Thilina Walpola

Proposed education reforms have drawn sharp criticism from education professionals, teacher unions and student organisations, who warned on Thursday that the changes risk undermining child safety, widening inequality and imposing unaffordable costs on parents.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo, Dr Ayomi Irugalbandara of the Faculty of Education at the Open University of Sri Lanka said the proposed reforms appeared to be largely modelled on foreign education systems without adequate consideration of local realities.

She took particular issue with proposals to integrate social media use into the school curriculum, noting that several developed countries have moved in the opposite direction by preventing children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms.

“Most of these modules are not appropriate for this country,” Dr Irugalbandara said. “We warn parents that these reforms place children at risk.”

Concerns were also raised over digital content linked to the revised curriculum. Inter-University Students’ Federation Convener Madushan Chandrajith said the Grade Six Information and Communication Technology (ICT) module included QR codes that directed students to a controversial YouTube channel.

“Who will take responsibility for children accessing such content?” he asked, calling for clear accountability mechanisms for material linked through digital platforms used in schools.

Secretary of the Workers’ Struggle Centre, Duminda Nagamuwa, criticised the government’s approach to the reform process, comparing it to the fertiliser policy introduced under former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He alleged that the authorities were pushing ahead with education reforms despite opposition from academics, teachers and other stakeholders.

Nagamuwa also highlighted the economic burden on families, noting that Sri Lanka’s poverty rate had increased from 12.5 percent to 25 percent. He questioned how parents were expected to afford smartphones or tablet computers required for students to access QR code-linked educational content.

“The government is asking parents to bear costs they simply cannot afford,” he said.

Ceylon Teachers’ Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin said schools had already begun collecting money from parents in anticipation of the reforms, including funds to purchase smart boards.

News

Sajith: Ashoka Chakra replaces Dharmachakra in Buddhism textbook

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/11

Thilina Walpola

Premadasa speaking in parliament

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa on Friday told Parliament that the Buddhism textbook contained a “serious error,” citing the use of the Ashoka Chakra instead of the Dharmachakra.

He said the Dharmachakra depicted in the book differs from the one featured in the state symbol and called on the Education Minister to correct the mistake.

Responding, Education Minister and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said the Dharmachakra used in the textbook had been approved by the Ministry of Buddhist Affairs. She added that the advisory board on Buddhism had also endorsed it.

The Premier further noted that during her recent visit, Mahanayake Theras confirmed that the Dharmachakra in the textbook was the officially approved version.

News

Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera dazzles crowds with tradition and splendour

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/11

Thilina Walpola

The Annual Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera at the historic Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya lit up the streets once again, concluding on Saturday night after three days of colourful pageantry.

First held in 1927 thanks to the vision of philanthropist Don Walter Wijewardene, son of Helena Wijewardene Lamathani of Sedawatte, the Kelaniya Duruthu Maha Perahera has grown into one of Sri Lanka’s most elaborate and grand low-country Buddhist pageants.

The Perahera commemorates the sacred visit of the Buddha to Kelaniya, the most revered temple in Sri Lanka’s Western Province. Celebrated annually during Duruthu Poya in January, the event showcases a fusion of historic, cultural, and religious traditions.

This year, under the guidance of Chief incumbent Venerable Professor Mahinda Sangarakkitta Nayaka Thera and Dayaka Sabha President Dr. Saman Weerasinghe, the festivities began with the ceremonial handover of the Sacred Relic Casket by Chancellor of Kelaniya University, Agra Maha Panditha Ven. Professor Kollupitiya Mahinda Sangharakkita Nayake Thera, to Chief Basnayake Nilame Dhammika Attygalle.

The sacred relic procession was followed by three Devale Peraheras dedicated to God Vibishana, God Kataragama, and God Vishnu, captivating devotees and tourists alike with traditional drumming, vibrant costumes, and ceremonial elephants.

The Perahera festivities also featured Pahalamaluwe Perahera on 8th January, Sacred City Perahera on 9th January, and the Grand Duruthu Maha Perahera on 10th January, with all events commencing at 8:00 pm. Special enclosures were arranged to accommodate foreign tourists, providing an immersive view of Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage.

As lanterns faded into the night sky and devotees paid homage, the Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera once again reaffirmed its place as a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s cultural and religious calendar.