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Pathirana and Wijeyadasa slam corruption in printing liquor bottle stickers

Published

3 years ago

2022/12/11

The finance ministry has no ability to curb the stealing of public money by corrupt excise officers printing and selling counterfeit foolproof stickers to liquor producers, Matara District SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana told Parliament on Thursday with Justice and Prison Reform Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe strongly backing him.Pathirana alleged that this racket in which some politicians too are involved in the racket costing the state Rs. 150 billion revenue.

“The green, blue, blue and red and maroon governments since independence have inherited a national budget deficit of Rs 2,400 billion as of now. Some individuals and groups in those governments have siphoned funds meant for development leaving a huge debt burden on the people and unborn generations,” Pathirana said.

“The liquor bottle sticker fraud is the most recent example of robbery of public money by politicians from the green and blue parties combined. The Power and Energy Minister took only couple of weeks to introduce the QR Code to regulate fuel distribution.

“When we pump 20 liters of fuel to our vehicles, we receive an SMS on our mobiles and there is a record. However, the boastful finance ministry is yet unable to control billions of rupees defrauded by corrupt politicians and some officials. They cannot stop this because the very same officials are in the racket siphoning tax revenue.

“The QR code printed on liquor bottle stickers cannot be read by QR scanners. Excise Department officials are involved in this racket of selling counterfeit stickers. Recently an arrest was made and a stock of counterfeit stickers found. But the Excise officers let the crooks get off with a spot fine.

Printing these counterfeit stickers is a scam similar to printing counterfeit currency notes. The only MP from the government ranks who opposed this was Justice and Prison Reforms Minister Wijayadasa Rajapakshe.”

Minister Rajapakshe: The printer of these stickers known as Madras Security Printing Company is blacklisted in many countries. I filed a case before the Court of Appeal against giving the contract to this company. However, the court decision was not in our favour. Now the company is printing stickers and selling them to the Lankan government and to other parties.

MP Pathirana: The officer junta involved in this racket is strong and powerful. The contract awarded to this company ends in a month. But the Excise Department is trying to extend it. These excise officers have been able to mislead the minister and state ministers of finance.

We have the ability to print our currency notes in Biyagama, but printing the stickers is given to India. Curse be upon responsible excise officers and their offspring for this robbery of public money. Their savings are not in Lankan banks but in the US.

Minister Rajapakshe: The reason for the introduction of this sticker was to get a correct assessment on the amount of liquor being released to the market by the liquor producers. They did not give us correct statistics. The rough idea was that the government loses around 40 billion rupees because the liquor producers do not give correct figures. To prevent this, the proposal for fool-proof stickers was made in 2017. But for printing the stickers they have selected one of the most corrupt companies in the world. Our Excise Department officers had no other company in the world but this to give the sticker contract. We now lose at least 60 billion rupees.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

13 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491

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Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

18 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.

News

PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

18 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)