News

COPE: Sathosa has lost Rs 15.1 bn due to irregular rice imports

Published

4 months ago

2025/10/19

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has revealed that Lanka Sathosa incurred a loss of Rs. 15,157,031,018 due to irregular rice imports in 2014 and 2015, carried out in violation of established procurement procedures.

The disclosure came during a COPE session chaired by Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera, held on October 10 to review the Auditor General’s reports for 2021 and 2022 and the corporation’s current performance.

The committee noted that although the cost of the imported rice amounted to Rs. 27,011,980,142, revenue from its sale totalled only Rs. 11,854,949,124. The investigation found that insufficient study of domestic rice market conditions, paddy harvests, and storage facilities contributed to the financial loss.

The COPE also inquired whether a formal investigation had been conducted; officials confirmed that the Bribery Investigation Division had referred the matter to the Attorney General’s Department for filing charges.

In addition, the COPE highlighted that 18 building owners who failed to complete construction properly had yet to settle dues owed to the corporation.

While guidelines allow advances to be withheld for unconstructed land, as of December 31, 2020, Rs. 34,234,996 was paid without proper estimates under 29 agreements. Sathosa has filed legal action to recover Rs. 27,435,000.

The COPE also pointed out potential institutional accountability issues arising from frequent staff changes due to contract-based appointments. Officials said measures had been adopted to extend such appointments up to five years to ensure continuity.

The COPE has flagged payments made without Treasury approval for several appointments, underlining the need for proper formalisation of such practices. Attention was also drawn to problems with the company’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, which, despite substantial investment and expansion, failed to meet all operational needs.

Following discussions, the COPE chairman emphasized that Sathosa must be turned into a fully accountable institution.

The COPE session was attended by MPs including retired Lieutenant Commander Prageeth Madhuranga, Sudath Balagalla, Chandima Hettiarachchi, Dr. S. Sri Bawanandaraja, Thilina Samarakoon, M.K.M. Aslam, and Nilanti Kottahachchi.

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SAARC journalists meet in New Delhi

Published

1 hour ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

President of SJF Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi hands over a memento to Dr Alok Kumar Mishra Joint Secretary of the Association of Indian Universities

Members of the South Asian Journalists Forum have gathered at the University of New Delhi for a two day conference themed ‘Peace and Co-operation’.

Journalists from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India are attending the conference hosted by the University of Delhi in collaboration with the India Chapter of SJF, and will deliberate on how the media can act as a catalyst for regional stability and mutual coexsistence.

A tree plantation campaign was also held at the Ghandi Bhawan premises of the University to mark the event and symbolize growing regional ties.

The Sri Lanka delegation is led by President of SJF’s Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi.

News

Governor of Gujarat met with Sri Lanka PM to discuss exposition of Devnimori Relics

Published

3 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

The Governor of the of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, along with the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghvi, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursdy [February 05] at the Parliamentary Complex to discuss the arrangements related to the exposition of the Devnimori Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, which have been brought to Sri Lanka under the patronage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India.

These sacred relics of Lord Buddha were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted in the 1960s at the historic Devnimori site in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Until now, these relics had never been taken outside India. As a result of discussions held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka have been granted this rare opportunity to venerate these sacred relics.

The exposition of the relics is being held for a period of seven days, from February 05 to February 11, at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo. Discussions were held between both parties regarding the arrangements related to this event.

The discussion was attended by Samar Nanda, Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Culture; Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, Acting High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka; Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation; along with several others.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

INS GHARIAL makes port call in Colombo

Published

9 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) GHARIAL made a port call in Colombo for operational turnarounds on 04 Feb 26. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.

Commanded by Commander Gaurav Tewari, INS GHARIAL is a vessel with a length of 124.8 meters.

During this visit, ten (10) Bailey Bridges, brought by ship, through the coordination of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, will be handed over to the Disaster Management Center. These bridges will provide temporary transportation links while bridges damaged across the island by adverse weather conditions are repaired.

The crew’s itinerary features scheduled goodwill activities with the Sri Lanka Navy, alongside visits to several tourist attractions across the island.