News
Kandy municipal services paralyzed as fuel depot storekeeper goes on leave, without handing over keys
Municipal operations in Kandy ground to a halt yesterday after the storekeeper in charge of the Kandy Municipal Council’s (KMC) fuel depot went on leave without handing over the keys to the premises. The situation escalated into a period of tension as official vehicles, including those assigned for essential dengue control and waste management operations, were left without access to fuel.
Upon discovering that the fuel depot was locked, municipal staff attempted to contact the storekeeper via telephone to retrieve the keys. However, their efforts proved futile as the official’s phone had been switched off.
During an inquiry into the incident, Kandy Mayor Chandrasiri Wijeyenayake questioned the official responsible for managing leave records. While the official initially claimed that leave had not been granted to the storekeeper, she later retracted her statement, informing the Mayor that she had made a mistake and that the storekeeper had indeed left on leave.
Due to the lockout, the KMC was unable to supply fuel to its fleet for scheduled duties, forcing the council to arrange alternative fuel supplies from a local Cooperative filling station to maintain basic services.
Speaking to the media, Mayor Chandrasiri Wijeyenayake expressed his strong disapproval of the incident. “Essential public services were disrupted because an employee chose to lock the depot and leave without authorization. It is unacceptable for certain officials to treat the Municipal Council as their private property,” he stated. The Mayor confirmed that he has ordered immediate disciplinary action against the storekeeper and the official responsible for the oversight regarding the leave records.
By S.K. Samaranayake ✍️
A heated argument broke out between Jaffna District MP Archchuna Ramanathan and Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar during the Kilinochchi District Coordination Committee meeting held yesterday (16).
A video footage of the incident shows the MP and the Minister engaging in a heated verbal exchange, following which a physical confrontation appeared to develop when the Minister attempted to grab files reportedly in the possession of MP Ramanathan.
“If you lay a hand on me, I’ll lay a hand on you too… got it?” Ramanathan is heard telling the Minister during the exchange.
Police and officials present at the meeting intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The circumstances that led to the confrontation were not immediately clear.
Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has filed an intervening petition before the Court of Appeal in connection with a petition filed by former head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, challenging his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act over investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks.
The Cardinal has sought permission from the court to make submissions in relation to Sallay’s petition and requested that it be dismissed.
The Colombo High Court yesterday fixed for Aug. 31 the pre-trial conference in the money laundering case filed by the Attorney General against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, and his great-aunt Daisy Forrest.
The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli.
State Counsel Oswald Perera requested court to fix a date for the pre-trial conference and informed the judge that the prosecution would announce its position regarding the second accused, Daisy Forrest, at the conference. He also said the prosecution intended to notify court of amendments to the indictment.
After considering the submissions, Judge Singappuli ordered that the pre-trial conference be held on Aug. 31.
The Attorney General has indicted Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Daisy Forrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, alleging that they deposited nearly Rs. 59 million in bank accounts knowing, or having reason to believe, that the funds had been unlawfully acquired.
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A few showers may occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts
Harmer, Markram and Wolvaardt win top honours at CSA awards
War of words erupts between Minister Chandrasekar and Archchuna in North
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Money laundering case against Yoshitha, fixed for pre-trial conference
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