News
JVP smells rat in payment made for nano nitrogen fertiliser
Minister says imports facilitated by Indian HC
By Saman Indrajith
The JVP says the government has deposited USD 1.275 million in an account of a private company as payment for the recently imported Nano Liquid Nitrogen Fertiliser from India, in violation of due process.
JVP propaganda Secretary MP Vijitha Herath told Parliament on Friday that the Treasury had requested the People’s Bank to release USD 1.275 million as payment for nitrogen fertiliser, on 18 Oct.
“Due process for this type of transaction is to make payments from the accounts maintained by the Ceylon Fertiliser Company Ltd. However, President’s Secretary, Dr. P.B. Jayasundera ordered the People’s Bank to open a separate private account at its Town Hall Branch under the name ‘United Farmers Trust Limited’ (UFTL) on 18 Oct,” MP Herath said.
Herath said that after opening the account, funds of the People’s Bank had been transferred to the said company account.
“Directors of this company are named as Mohan Perera, G. M. Weerasinghe. Who are these people? Are they public servants? Parliament has a right to know how the payment was made to the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO),” the MP said.
Herath said that the UFTL had paid USD 300,000 to IFFCO and another USD 50,000 as freight charges while another USD 37,000 was as payments. “This is only a part of the total payment. What happened to the rest of the money?” the JVP MP demanded to know from the government.
“It has also been revealed that a Director of UFTL Ltd.’ has repeatedly requested People’s Bank to convert the remaining money into local currency. Why is that? This is a serious concern. Parliament has control over public finance, but we have been kept in the dark about this matter. The government should investigate this immediately,” he said.
Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that it was the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka which facilitated the fertiliser imports.
“The IFFCO has appointed the UFTL as its Sri Lankan representative. That is why the government paid the money to them and they opened the LCs for the import after that,” the minister said.
Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, met with a delegation from the World Food Programme (WFP) at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (11).
During the meeting, the WFP representatives agreed to continue their on-going programs in Sri Lanka without disruptions.
Although the food crisis in Sri Lanka has eased to some extent, the WFP officials expressed their willingness to extend further support through new programme whenever additional needs arise.
The WFP delegation included WFP Country Director Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, the Government Partnerships Officer Musthafa Nihmath and the Gerard Rebello , WFP Sri Lanka ‘s Deputy Country Director. Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage, also attended the meeting.
News
President directs officials to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 to Pensioners from Next Week
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials of the Ministry of Finance to take necessary action to provide a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3000 to all pensioners, from next week.
After reviewing the delay in adding the Rs. 3000 allowance to the October pension, the President directed that this amount be credited to the pensioners’ accounts within the next week.
These instructions were given during a meeting held on Thursday (10) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat with senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Despite the circular No. 02/2024 dated 2024/08/24 issued by the Public Administration Department to grant a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3000 to all pensioners, funds were not allocated for this purpose.
Upon reviewing the matter, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake informed the officials of the Ministry of Finance to ensure that the required funds are provided.
Considering the hardships faced by pensioners due to the non-payment of the Rs. 3000 allowance with the October pension, and their subsequent requests, the President decided to proceed with the payment from this month, despite the prevailing financial difficulties of the government.
Since the October pension has already been credited to the pensioners’ accounts, the President instructed officials to ensure that the Rs. 3000 allowance is credited to their accounts within the next week, and from next month, this allowance will be added to the monthly pension.
Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardena and several senior officials from the Ministry of Finance were present at this meeting
[PMD]
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Sail Training Warship ‘PO LANG’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on 08th October 2024, departed the island today (11th October), on successful completion of its formal visit. The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Colombo port, following naval traditions.
While the ship was in Colombo, the crew took the opportunity to explore some of the country’s tourist attractions. They also participated in various programmes designed to foster camaraderie between the two navies. Moreover, Sri Lanka Navy personnel attended briefings on the operational functions of the visiting ship.
WFP Assures Continuous Support to Sri Lanka
President directs officials to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 to Pensioners from Next Week
Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Sail Training Warship ‘PO LANG’ departs Island
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