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Champika pours out more details about latest sugar scam

Published

2 years ago

2023/11/11

Champika Ranawaka

There were at least 50,000 tonnes of sugar in storage units when the tax was increased by 49.75 rupees on 02 November, former Minister and leader of the United Republican Front (URF) Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

Ranawaka, who is also the Chairman of the parliamentary Ways and Means Committee, said that there was a massive fraud in sugar imports in June 2021. The fact that this happened is accepted by all, he said.

“The Auditor General Department also showed that one importer made undue profits of 16 billion rupees. The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) can collect 30 percent of this undue profit as income tax. Even this has not been done. JVP’s Sunil Handunnetti filed a case in the Supreme Court, now the involved parties are not paying taxes under the pretext they are waiting for the court’s verdict. The JVP said they will withdraw the case if the company pays taxes, the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General’s department has not said a word. This shows that neither the Ministry of Finance nor the Attorney General’s department is interested in acting against sugar scammers,” he said.

Ranawaka said that the government recently increased tax on sugar to 50 rupees per kilo from 25 cents and several companies have again benefited greatly.

“In August the import duty on wheat flour was increased to 27 rupees a kilogram or 20 percent. We told the government at that time to conduct a study on the existing stocks of the goods before such taxes are imposed.”

The people should be able to buy the existing stocks at the pre-tax price, he said. However, a few months later the government raised taxes on sugar without any survey of existing stocks, he added. There is also evidence to say that some companies were aware that taxes would be increased in early November, Ranawaka said.

“Now a company, who had brought 2000 tonnes of sugar a month in August and September, had imported 10,000 tonnes in October. 14 companies have brought 19,000 tonnes of sugar than they had imported in the previous months. There were at least 50,000 tonnes of sugar in storage units when the tax was increased by 49.75 rupees. Now these businesses will make an extra profit of 49.75 rupees from each kilo of sugar sold. The government has done nothing to correct the situation. The ministry of finance does all sorts of weird things and blames the IMF.”

Ranawaka said that instead of taking steps to prevent such fraudulent acts, the government is trying to stop people from learning about the truth.

“The Online Safety Act was ushered in under the pretext that the government wants to protect masses from nefarious activities of some people online. However, when you look at the content of the act, it is obvious that this was brought to allow the President to suppress and control social media and other digital spaces,” he said.

Ranawaka said the Supreme Court, on 07 November, determined that the government needs a special majority to pass the Online Safety Bill in its present form.

The Supreme Court had said that as per the provisions of Article 84 (2) of the Constitution, the sections 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14,15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 36, 37, 42, 45, 53, and 56 needed to be passed with a special majority of votes.

“Some sections of the government and media are claiming that the Supreme Court has not made many changes and the Bill can be easily passed with a simple majority. This is not the case, the government has been asked to make substantial changes.”

Ranawaka said that Sri Lanka has a history of youth uprisings. The JVP rose in 1971, 87-89 and there was an arms struggle in the North, too. However, in recent years, young people are peacefully mobilizing and organizing online, and this has become a serious threat to anti-people leaders.

“This is what happened last year. Ranil Wickremesinghe is not interested in mending governance. He is interested in thwarting the means of organizing. This is not easy though. Technology always finds a way. Moreover, foreign technology companies that operate in Sri Lanka, from Google to Booking.com will not accept this,” he said.

Ranawaka added that on 09 May 2022, a group of Rajapaksa loyalists decided to attack peaceful protestors at Galle Face without understanding how angry the people were. Following the attack, the public reaction was 100 times stronger than the initial attacks of Rajapaksa loyalists.

“The same group that masterminded the attack on protestors are now at the helm of security forces, police and media. They are now wondering how they can crush the empowered Sri Lankan citizens,” he said.

Ranawaka said that because of social media, a handful of elites can no longer control public perceptions. The ordinary citizen now has a chance to look at things from multiple points of view.

“People also have started businesses. The government always talks about digitization, but their actions betray these claims.”

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House erupts over suspension of Deputy Secretary General

Published

7 hours ago

2026/02/4

Sahan Weerasooriya

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday raised concerns over the recent suspension of Parliament’s Deputy Secretary General and Chief of Staff, G.K.A. Chaminda Kumara Kularatne, alleging that the process appeared to be mala fide. Addressing Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne in Parliament, Premadasa said that the existence of a personal disagreement between the Speaker and the suspended official had created a potential conflict of interest.

Premadasa said disciplinary action against senior parliamentary officials had to be taken in keeping with established parliamentary precedents. He also questioned the legality and propriety of a lower-ranking official leading an inquiry against a senior officer.

“For the first time, we are witnessing a rift between the Speaker and the staff of the Secretary-General. All parties must step back, act democratically and ensure that the fundamental rights of Chaminda Kularatne are safeguarded,” he added.

ITAK Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam said Kularatne had not been given an opportunity to respond to the allegations made against him.

“This is a disgraceful situation. A complaint has been lodged against you with the Bribery Commission. Parliament is the supreme institution of democracy in this country, and the precedent being created here is dangerous,” Rasamanickam said, addressing the Speaker.

SJB Kandy District MP Chamindranee Kiriella said the Speaker was duty-bound to inform the House before disciplinary action was taken against a parliamentary official. SJB MP Ajith P. Perera said it was unethical for the Speaker to assume a leadership role in the inquiry, and called for the matter to be entrusted to an independent authority.

Responding on behalf of the Government, Chief Government Whip and Health and Mass Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said the chief investigating officer, S.K. Liyanage, an Additional Secretary, had been appointed by the Staff Advisory Committee on 25 August, 2025. He said Liyanage had been selected from a pool of qualified officers at the Ministry of Public Administration and had prior experience in conducting investigations.

Leader of the House and Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake said the Staff Advisory Committee had agreed on the respective powers of parliamentary officials, noting that the Secretary General would hold powers equivalent to those of Ministry Secretary, while the Deputy Secretary General would hold powers equivalent to those of an Additional Secretary.

“There is no irregularity in the conduct of the investigation or in the appointment of the investigating officers,” Rathnayake said.

On 24 January, 2026, Parliament announced the immediate suspension of Deputy Secretary General and Chief of Staff Chaminda Kularatne with effect from 23 January, citing concerns relating to his appointment. Kularatne had assumed duties on 15 September, 2023.

On Monday, Kularatne filed a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, alleging corruption. His legal counsel, Attorney-at-Law Mithun Dias, said the complaint had been filed against the Speaker in his personal capacity and not against the government.

However, Dr Jayatissa told the House that the investigation into Kularatne was based on concerns relating to his appointment, qualifications and the process by which he had been confirmed in that post and was not linked to any personal dispute with the Speaker.

By Saman Indrajith

News

78th Independence Day celebrations at Bogambara Stadium

Published

7 hours ago

2026/02/4

Sahan Weerasooriya

The 78th Independence Day celebrations in the Central Province are scheduled to be held today from 8:00 AM at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy.

The celebrations are jointly organised by the Central Provincial Council and the Kandy District Secretariat. The Governor of the Central Province, Prof. S.B.S. Abeykoon, is expected to grace the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The event will also see the participation of Kandy District Members of Parliament, the Chief Secretary of the Central Province, Mr. Ajith Premathilake, as well as representatives from the Tri-Forces, Police, school students, and various voluntary organisations.

The ceremony will feature a formal parade and cultural performances by school children.

By S.K. Samaranayake

News

Colombo-Kandy railway line to be fully restored this year – Minister Bimal

Published

7 hours ago

2026/02/4

Sahan Weerasooriya

Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayake, has announced that the reconstruction of the Colombo-Kandy railway line, which was severely damaged by landslides in the Balana and Kadugannawa areas, will be completed within this year to restore normal train services.

The Minister made this statement during the Kandy District Development Committee meeting held at the District Secretariat. He noted that work will commence following the observations and technical reports provided by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) regarding the stability of the landslide-affected areas.

Financial Management and Development

Minister Rathnayake emphasised that the government possesses the necessary funds for development projects.

“Our government has the funds. However, all officials must ensure these funds are managed efficiently so that they are fully utilised for development, without being returned to the Treasury at the end of the year,” he stressed.

Improvements in Public Transport

Highlighting the progress in the transport sector, the Minister shared several key updates

• Recruitment: 700 new employees have been recruited to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and are currently undergoing training.

• School Transport: Steps are being taken to strengthen the ‘Sisu Sariya’ school bus service within the Kandy District.

• Infrastructure: The reconstruction of the Peradeniya Black Bridge (Kalu Paalama), which was damaged during the ‘Ditwah’ disaster, is nearing completion.

Welfare facilities for Private Transport Workers

The Minister also revealed plans to support the welfare of private bus drivers and conductors.

“We must look after the workers in the private transport sector as well. We are planning to establish a welfare fund for them and are taking steps to include them in the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) system,” he added.

Concluding his remarks, the Minister urged state officials to perform their duties responsibly and ensure that the inefficiencies seen under previous administrations do not recur.

By S.K. Samaranayake