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Dubious deals, ‘unnatural losses’ at Trade Ministry under probe

Published

2 years ago

2021/02/10

Trade Minister Bandula Guanawardena told Parliament yesterday that two separate investigations were being conducted by the Criminal Investigations Department and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption into some dubious deals and instances of financial irregularities in his ministry during the period from 2015 to 2019.

Responding to a question raised by SLPP MP Mohamed Muzammil, Minister Gunawardena said, “Some institutions coming under the ministry of trade have been making huge losses and there must be a proper explanation. In addition to the losses, a sum of eight billion rupees has be paid to the suppliers for that period. Some suppliers say the relevant files have gone missing. It was unacceptable that files and documentary proof are misplaced. We intend to commence an additional forensic audit on those deals.”

Minister Gunawardena also said that during the period from 2015 to 2019 Sri Lanka had imported 927.7 million litres of fat/vegetable fat at a cost of Rs 1,081 million. (SI)

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Sagala Ratnayaka leads Sri Lanka delegation to 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue

Published

6 hours ago

2023/06/6

Priyan

Chief of Staff to the President and National Security Advisor (NSA) Sagala Ratnayaka led the Sri Lanka delegation to the 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier Security Summit held in Singapore from 2 – 4 June 2023.

The highly anticipated summit commenced on 2 June with a powerful Keynote address delivered by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Throughout the event, a series of plenary sessions delved into various crucial geo-political issues, encompassing the establishment of a stable and balanced Asia Pacific, the resolution of regional tensions, the evolution of maritime security in Asia, US leadership in the Indo-Pacific, and China’s latest security initiatives, among other topics.

During the Special Session focusing on ‘Defence Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region,’ Ratnayaka delivered an impactful statement, participating alongside representatives from India, Oman, France, and the United States. He emphasized the significance of keeping big power rivalries and external conflicts out of the Indian Ocean, highlighting Sri Lanka’s efforts in the United Nations to declare the region as a zone of peace. Furthermore, he underscored the country’s contributions to preserving freedom of navigation and over flight, stressing the crucial need for constructive dialogue among all stakeholders in the Indian Ocean region to pursue shared interests.

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Prices of sixty essential drugs to be reduced from 15th June

Published

10 hours ago

2023/06/6

Priyan

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal raised by the Minister of Health to reduce the maximum retail price of 60 medicines by 16% with effect from 15.06.2023 and review the price of medicines every three months

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Cabinet approval to publish draft bill on contempt of a court, a tribunal or an institution

Published

10 hours ago

2023/06/6

Priyan

The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms for publishing the draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman which includes the clear and precise provisions and situational circumstances regarding the offense of ‘contempt of court’ , defense and easing the penalty as well as the procedure to follow when easing the penalty, in the government gazette and subsequently to be tabled in the Parliament for its concurrence.