News
Gold smuggling govt. MP walks free after paying Rs 7.4 mn fine

Jewellery, gold biscuits and smartphones worth Rs 78 mn confiscated
By Shamindra Ferdinando
United National Alliance (UNA) General Secretary, M. M. Naimullah, yesterday (24) said that the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) should take disciplinary action against Puttalam District MP Ali Sabri Raheem who was nabbed by the Customs for smuggling in 3 kg and 397 grammes of gold and 91 smartphones in the early hours of Tuesday (23) via the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).
Naimullah said so when The Island asked him how his party intended to deal with MP Raheem as his party fielded the businessman at the last general election, conducted in August 2020. The Island raised the issue with the party that he represented in Parliament as the Customs released the lawmaker, after he paid a fine of Rs 7.4 mn, consequent to a brief inquiry. Customs confiscated the undisclosed gold and smartphones estimated at Rs 74 mn and Rs 4.2 mn, respectively.
Naimullah, who had served the Central Provincial Council during 2004-2009 period, as an SLMC (Sri Lanka Muslim Congress) member, elected on the UNP ticket, emphasised that Rishad Bathiudeen’s All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) fielded Raheem from the Puttalam District.
Asked to explain the arrangement between the UNA and the ACMC, Naimullah said that the SLMC and ACMC fielded four candidates each, on the Muslim National Alliance (MNA) ticket. They were joined by former SLFP/UPFA Provincial Council member and ex-UNP Urban Council member, Naimullah said, adding that Raheem got through.
Subsequently, Naimullah has re-registered MNA as UNA with the Election Commission.
According to Naimullah, in terms of a MoU, signed between the then MNA and ACMC, disciplinary matters, in respect of elected members, would be handled by the latter. Pressed to explain the status of internal inquiry, if any, Naimullah said that he expected the ACMC to act on this matter. “If the ACMC, in writing, informed me of whatever its decision on MP Raheem, I wouldn’t hesitate to forward it to the Secretary General of Parliament,” Naimullah said.
A senior SLMC official told The Island that the SLMC and breakaway SLMC faction, ACMC, joined hands with those who had served the UNP and SLFP/UPFA, at different levels, to contest Puttalam, under one symbol, as they strongly felt the need to get a Muslim, elected from that district. The MNA contested only in Puttalam, he said, adding that for three decades the Muslim community couldn’t win a parliamentary seat from Puttalam though there were National List members.
Mohamed Haniffa Mohamed Naina Marikkar was the last to get elected from the Puttalam district.
Naimullah said that in spite of ACMC declaration that it would expel Raheem from the party, over his decision to vote for the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, in October 2020, the party conveniently failed to inform him, in writing. “Therefore, as the General Secretary of the MNA/UNA, I couldn’t address a serious breach of party discipline,” Naimullah said.
Naimullah said that though he didn’t want to address these issues at hand, publicly, but when the media sought an explanation, he couldn’t decline to respond.
Asked whether MP Raheem received special treatment in view of his status, Customs spokesperson Sudantha Silva said that they followed normal procedure. The official said that Customs could conduct further investigations, if necessary, depending on the requirement. Sudantha Silva said responding to The Island query whether they would try to establish the role played by the MP. Responding to another query, the official said that he didn’t have information pertaining to MR Raheem’s foreign travel in the recent past.
The Customs spokesperson said that there was no further inquiry regarding this matter at the moment.
News
We aspire to build a nation where all citizens coexist in peace and resilience for the future generation -PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the government is ready to listen to the people and aspire to ensure a peaceful and united nation for future generations.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings on April 20 at the Manik Farm Community Development Centre in Settikulam and the Ukkulankulam Ground in the Vanni electoral district.
The current Parliament has the highest number of female representation in its history. Previously, women constituted less than 5% of Parliament out of the total number of 225 However, 52% of the country’s population are women.
Women play a significant role in sustaining the economy, maintaining family structures, and upholding society yet their representation in decision-making bodies has been limited. Therefore, we urge you to elect not only male representation to Parliament but also more female representatives from the Vanni district.
Vavuniya is currently developing into a thriving city. Therefore, essential services expected from provincial councils must be effectively delivered. Local government bodies should actively participate in the development of the rural sector.
We recognize that education holds significant value for the people of the North. You place great importance on education. However, the country’s education system has deteriorated and weakened. Specifically, the lack of necessary attention to the education sector in the North has made it more challenging compared to other regions. Moreover, I have learned of a more alarming issue that the diminishing value placed on education by young men and women. Clandestine Drug Distribution and alcohol are now readily visible in everywhere. There are no avenues for youth to find joy while avoiding these substances. The underdevelopment of fields such as science, arts, and drama has left them without means to find happiness. Therefore, significant interventions must be necessary.
If you elect a group that is free from corruption and fraud, we can allocate funds without hesitation, ensuring they reach the appropriate hands. These funds can then be directed towards the development of your village. That is why your choice is important.
The events were attended by Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development, Upali Samarasinghe, Vavuniya District MPs S. Thileepan and M. Jegatheeswaran, along with the local government candidates and residents.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Exposition of sacred tooth relic extended by an hour –

The Sri Dalada Maligawa has announced that due to the large number of devotees coming to Kandy to venerate the sacred tooth relic, the time of exposition of the sacred tooth relic has been extended by an hour.
Accordingly the public can pay homage from 11.30am upto 05.30pm from today [21]
News
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, Vatican says

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced.
His Eminence, Cardinal Farrell, announced with sorrow the death of Pope Francis, with these words: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning (local time), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.” “He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.”
Farrell adds: “With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”
Francis’s papacy heralded many firsts and while he never stopped introducing reforms to the Catholic Church, he remained popular among traditionalists.
He was the first Pope from the Americas or the southern hemisphere. Not since Syrian-born Gregory III died in 741 had there been a non-European Bishop of Rome.
He was also the first Jesuit to be elected to the throne of St Peter – Jesuits were historically looked on with suspicion by Rome.
Francis’s predecessor, Benedict XVI, was the first Pope to retire voluntarily in almost 600 years and for almost a decade the Vatican Gardens hosted two popes.
As Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina, he was already in his seventies when he became Pope in 2013.
[BBC]
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