News
Agro sector mess: SJB says sacked Ministry Secy one of the culprits
‘Prof. Jayasinghe grabbed one of our slogans’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Samagi Jana Balavegaya lawmaker Rohini Kaviratne has questioned the rationale behind sacked Agriculture Secretary Senior Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe’s warning of a serious food shortage in April after having caused the crisis.
Addressing the media at Rattota, the Matale District MP pointed out that Prof. Jayasinghe was one of the culprits though he now pretended as if he didn’t have a hand in the disastrous agriculture policy adopted by the current dispensation.
The outspoken MP emphasised that Prof. Jayasinghe was equally responsible for the ruination of the agriculture sector as his political masters. The former UNPer pointed out the absurdity in the Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage having to contradict Prof. Jayasinghe over the latter’s high profile claim of an impending food shortage in early part of New Year.
The Matale District MP alleged that Prof. Jayasinghe in an obvious bid to deceive the public exploited both print and electronic media, including the social media to the hilt. The lawmaker compared the ousted official’s approach with that of a pickpocket fleeing a crowd in Pettah while himself shouting ‘thief’
Both the political leadership and the former Agriculture Secretary should be investigated for corruption charges in relation to fertiliser imports from China and India, MP Kaviratne said. The MP alleged that Prof. Jayasinghe had been involved in the entire process as regards liquid fertiliser imports from India. The MP said that ousted official had been in the relevant tender board, advised the technical committee, intervened to lower the price of liquid fertiliser when the Opposition revealed price manipulation and payment made subsequent to the opening of an account on a directive issued by Dr. P. B. Jayasundera as disclosed in Parliament.
Lawmaker Kaviratne said that the Opposition warned of a food shortage over the past several months and now suddenly one of those people responsible for the current sorry plight repeated what we have been saying.
Responding to SJB allegations, Prof. Jayasinghe said that there was no basis for such accusations though he didn’t want to comment on them. Prof. Jayasinghe also maintained that he didn’t know what prompted his sudden removal.
MP Kaviratne said that during Prof. Jayasinghe’s six month tenure as the Agriculture Secretary he was at the forefront of the government offensive meant to force carbonic farming on an unprepared community.
Responding to media queries, she compared the government operation that destroyed the agriculture sector with the signing of the Yugadanavi deal. Having signed a far reaching agreement with US energy company, SLPP constituents were engaged in a dispute, she said. A section of the government had accused the administration of betraying the country though they remained within the administration, MP Kaviratne said. Similarly, Minister Aluthgamage and Prof. Jayasinghe had been fighting over policy after being members of the same destructive team, the MP said.
She insisted that Prof. Jayasinghe grabbed one of the Opposition slogans to cover up his sins after the government dumped him. The former UNPer said that the government should have found fault with the Vice Chancellor of the Wayamba University for his recent statements pertaining to an impending food shortage, but that didn’t clear him of serious corruption charges.
The countrywide dengue outbreak has intensified, with the death toll rising to 50, by July 16, as the number of reported infections surpassed 73,000, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).
The country has recorded 73,455 dengue cases so far this year, with the case fatality rate standing at 0.07 percent, highlighting the severity of the ongoing outbreak.
The Western Province continues to remain the worst affected region, accounting for more than half of the total cases, with 38,700 infections. The Gampaha District has recorded the highest number of cases in the province with 15,341, followed closely by Colombo with 14,625.
The Southern Province has reported 11,382 cases, while the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces have each recorded more than 6,000 infections.
Dengue cases have shown a sharp increase in recent months, with June recording the highest monthly total of 21,538 cases, while July has already reported 18,076 infections. In comparison, 8,590 cases were reported in May, and 5,651 in April.
Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk locations during the 27th epidemiological week. An average of 2,677 new dengue cases are being reported daily, prompting authorities to intensify prevention and mosquito control measures.
The Colombo High Court yesterday (17) resumed hearing the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The proceedings were held before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, where evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses, under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa, cross-examined the witnesses during the hearing.
After recording evidence, the court ordered that further examination of evidence be postponed until July 24.
The Attorney General has filed indictments, alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, valued at more than Rs. 73 million.
Former IGP Chandana Deepal Wickramaratne died after sustaining a gunshot injury at his residence, in Thalangama, yesterday (17), with police saying preliminary investigations indicate that the incident was a suspected suicide.
Kaduwela Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa, on Friday, ordered the Officer-in-Charge of the Malabe Police Station, Police Inspector Pradeep Ranasinghe, to conduct a formal investigation into the death and submit a report to court on its progress.
The order was issued after the Malabe Police Station presented facts before court regarding the incident.
According to police, the Malabe Police Station received information from the Police Unit of the Colombo East Base Hospital, in Mulleriyawa, that Wickramaratne, who resided in the Thalahena area, within the Malabe Police division, had died after being admitted to hospital, with gunshot injuries.
Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said Wickramaratne had allegedly used the firearm of his personal security officer and shot himself at his residence.
Police said the shooting had taken place at his residence on Parakum Road, Thalangama, on Thursday morning, before he was due to leave for his regular exercise routine. He was rushed to the Colombo East Base Hospital, in Mulleriyawa, with serious injuries but was pronounced dead upon admission, police said.
The deceased’s remains were placed at the Colombo East Base Hospital, where a post-mortem examination was scheduled to be conducted.
ASP Wootler said three police teams have been appointed to investigate the incident. Further investigations are being conducted by the Crime Division of the Western Province South Range and the Malabe Police Station.
Wickramaratne, 63, served as the 35th Inspector General of Police of Sri Lanka from November 27, 2020, to November 23, 2023.
He joined the Sri Lanka Police in 1986 as a Probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police and later served in several senior positions.
A graduate of the University of Colombo and the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, he also served as Acting IGP for more than a year, from April 28, 2019, before being appointed IGP, in November 2020.
He retired from the post of Inspector General of Police, in November 2023.
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