News
National Gem and Jewellery Authority spent Rs 2 bn on renting private building without repairing its own – COPE
National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) has paid a staggering Rs 2 bn for a private building in Colombo to house its staff since 2021 without repairing its own building. The NGJA top administration has admitted that the Central Engineering and Consultancy Bureau (CECB) estimated that the required repairs could be completed at a cost of Rs 21 mn but it resorted to a far costly remedy. This came to light recently when the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) summoned the top management of the NGJA.
The NGJA building had been made unusable due to construction of a shopping mall and the relevant company had offered to pay a monthly rent of Rs 3 mn to acquire a suitable building. However, the NGJA has declined that offer and rented a building at Rs 2 bn, the COPE was told.
The NGJA has moved to the costly building in 2021. The COPE rapped the NGJA for squandering public money at a time the country was in a dire financial state.
The COPE pulled up NGJA for several other irregularities and questionable actions over the past few years. The all party committee also pointed out that NGJA has failed to perform its regulatory functions. Instead NGJA only engaged in business at the expense of the objectives it was originally established for. (SF)
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka on the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Friday [04] night, visited the Presidential Secretariat this morning (05).
The Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat.
Prime Minister Modi is currently on a state visit to Sri Lanka, reaffirming the theme “Friendship of Centuries — Commitment to a Prosperous Future” which symbolises the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and India. The Indian Premier is scheduled to remain in the country until tomorrow (06).
[PMD]
The official welcoming ceremony for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held this morning (05) at the Independence Square in Colombo.
On arrival at the Independence Square the Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on Friday [04 Apr 25]. The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.
INS Sahyadri is a 143m long Frigate manned by a crew of 320 and the ship is commanded by Captain Rajat Kumar.
During their visit to the crew of INS Sahyadri will participate in events hosted by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed to strengthen bilateral ties. They will also visit several tourist hotspots across the country.
Concluding the visit, INS Sahyadri is scheduled to set sail from Colombo on 07 Apr
Sears takes five again as New Zealand complete ODI series sweep over Pakistan
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi arrives at the presidential secretariat
Indian PM receives warm welcome
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