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SJB MP reveals how Aussie-Lanka combine gypped Mahinda Rajapaksa Govt.
by Saman Indrajith
A company that had undertaken to manage the Embiliptiya Paper Mill had mortgaged the facility and its properties to a private bank and fled the country to Australia with the proceeds, Parliament was told yesterday.
A company by the name of Auslanka had been formed by businessmen from Sri Lanka and Australia and won the management contract from the Mahinda Rajapaksa government, in 2011, on a 30-year lease, Ratnapura District SJB MP Hesha Withanage said yesterday.
He said that the company owners had mortgaged the paper factory and its machinery to a private bank and fled to Australia. The MP asked the government what it would do to revive the paper mill.
Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa said that after the revival of the Valachchenai paper Ministry had initiated the process of taking over the Embilipitiya paper factory and found that another local businessman had obtained ownership of some of the properties of the mill from the bank. “We proposed to him to develop the mill as a public private partnership and the process is in progress,” the Minister said.
Minister Weerawansa said that the mill would be developed as a full-fledged state venture.
He said that the mill had originally been given a 600-acre land belonging to the Mahaweli Development Authority. Discussions were underway to get the land released from the authority to the ministry. “We would not permit the use of the land for any other purpose.”
There were 18 industrial estates and 755 land units where 299 factories were functioning and 9,030 persons employed in them. The ministry had assisted the industrialists in acquiring technical know-how in e-commerce and e-business as a part of the government’s plan to revive local industries, Minister Weerawansa said.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo
Belgian prince loses bid for benefits on top of £300k royal allowance
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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