More than 300 container trucks, loaded with cargo, had been parked within the Colombo Port premises for several days, the Container Transport Vehicle Owners’ Association said yesterday.

The congestion has been caused by the influx of relief supplies, following the recent disaster situation, along with increased imports for the festive season, the Association’s Chairman, Sanath Manjula, said.

Although clearance of container cargo is currently underway, a considerable number of trucks were stuck inside the port, he said, warning that the situation could worsen in the coming days if a proper and systematic clearance mechanism was not implemented.

Manjula alleged that despite repeated appeals to the relevant authorities, no effective, or even temporary, solutions had been introduced to ease the congestion.

Stressing that large quantities of essential food items were being imported daily, the transporters urged the government to take immediate action to prevent potential disruptions to supplies and avert a possible food shortage.

By Sujeewa Thathsara

Blood samples from former Speaker and NPP MP Asoka Ranwala, involved in a road accident at Sapugaskanda last Thursday, had been sent to the Government Analyst’s Department (GAD) to determine whether he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, police said yesterday.

The accident occurred on the night of December 11 at the Denimulla junction when MP Ranwala’s jeep collided with a car carrying a 25-year-old woman, her six-month-old infant, and her 55-year-old mother. All three sustained injuries and were hospitalised. The child was admitted to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital. The MP and others received treatment at the National Hospital in Colombo.

Sapugaskanda Police have taken into custody both vehicles, along with a motorcycle knocked down by Ranwela’s vehicle, prior to colliding with the car, as part of the ongoing investigation. MP Ranwala was arrested while receiving treatment and released on bail on 12 December by order of the Mahara Magistrate’s Court. He faces charges of failing to prevent an accident and reckless driving.

Police Media Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler told the media that investigations had revealed a mechanical defect in MP Ranwala’s jeep, including a brake malfunction. A report from the Department of Motor Traffic confirmed that the fault had not been properly addressed, and legal action will follow in relation to this finding.

by Norman Palihawadane

Former Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Dhammika Ranatunga was arrested yesterday by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for allegedly causing significant financial losses to the state-run corporation.

According to CIABOC, Ranatunga has allegedly cancelled three long-term fuel procurement tenders, scheduled for 2017–2018, and replacing them with spot tenders at substantially higher prices. The move is alleged to have caused a loss of nearly Rs. 800 million to the CPC.

Ranatunga is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.