News
SJB reveals ‘despicable practices’ of some milk powder importers

By Saman Indrajith
Matara District SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana told Parliament on Wednesday that some companies imported milk powder and dissolved them in water and released them to the market as liquid milk.
“The consumers think that they drink fresh milk while drinking milk powder dissolved in water. The yoghurt producers, too, buy them thinking that they purchase fresh milk to produce yoghurt. Parents give yoghurts to children without knowing that harmful substances that come with milk powder are there in yoghurt. This despicable practice should be stopped forthwith,” MP Pathirana said.
He said that the practice of dissolving milk powder in water was also detrimental to the interests of local dairy farmers. “I have informed this House numerous times of the harmful elements in imported milk powder. I have submitted a comprehensive report prepared by experts who tested samples of imported milk powder to find substances injurious to people’s health.”
Livestock, Farm Production and Dairy and Egg Related Industries State Minister D. B. Hearth said the government had decided to promote the consumption of fresh milk by assisting the dairy farmers and promoting the import of quality milch cows. Doctors too have informed us that milk powder is not healthy.
MP Pathirana said that local agent companies of multi-national corporations purchased the fresh milk from the local farmers but that milk would not reach the market. “Instead, these companies discard genuine liquid milk and do not let the local dairy farmers’ product reach the market because they would not be able to keep the consumers hooked to their products’ taste. The objectives of importing milch cows to promote milk industry would not be achieved. What would the government do to remedy this?”
State Minister Herath said that MP Pathirana’s statement was true as the ministry had received reports that some companies purchased fresh milk from local farmers and discarded it. “We have commenced a project with the Ministry of Trade to promote purchasing milk from farmers themselves,” he said.
MP Pathirana said that he did not get a response to his question and asked whether the government would get flying squads to visit super markets and check the standards of liquid milk being sold as fresh milk.
Minister Herath said that the matter would be referred to the Health Ministry which had the power to implement the provisions of the Food Act.
News
President orders probe into judge’s resignation

By Saman Indrajith
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is currently in Berlin, yesterday ordered his Secretary Saman Ekanayake to launch a probe into the resignation of Mullaitivu District Judge and Magistrate, T. Saravanarajah, who heard the controversial Kurundimale temple case. The judge has cited receiving death threats as the reason for his resignation.
Judge Saravanarajah had not informed either the police or the Judicial Service Commission of the alleged death threats to him, sources said.
In a letter dated 23 September, 2023, addressed to the Judicial Services Commission, Judge T. Saravanarajah conveyed his decision to step down from various judicial roles including District Judge, Magistrate, Family Court Judge,
Primary Court Judge, Small Claims Court Judge, and Juvenile Court Judge.President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake held discussions on the judge’s resignation with Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles. It was revealed that the judge had not lodged any formal complaint of the alleged death threats prior to his resignation.
News
China pledges steadfast support to Sri Lanka

China will continue to firmly support Sri Lanka in pursuing a development path that suits its own national conditions, getting rid of the “poverty trap” and the “trap of non-development”, and safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong said at the 74th National Day Reception of the People’s Republic of China on Thursday.
Given below are excerpts of the Chinese Ambassador’s speech: “Right now, changes of the world, of our times and of history are unfolding in ways like never before, which leads to rapidly growing uncertainty, instability and unpredictability.
In view of these global challenges, President Xi Jinping has put forward three crucial global initiatives, namely the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. We urge all countries to respect each other, seek common ground while reserving differences, and work together to meet the challenges of our times and build a community with a shared future for mankind.
“This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. Over the past 10 years under the BRI cooperation, more than 150 countries, including Sri Lanka, and 32 international organizations, have made great progress in connectivity, infrastructure, trade, and investment, with about 3,100 joint projects bringing tangible benefits to the world. As the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, I am more than happy to highlight the major projects between our two countries, such as the Katunayake Expressway, the Southern Expressway, the CICT, the Hambantota Port and the Port City Colombo, etc.
“No matter how the world changes, China and Sri Lanka are good neighbours with mutual respect and trust, good partners with mutual benefit, and good friends who help each other. China’s friendly policy towards Sri Lanka is for all political parties and all people of Sri Lanka and maintains continuity and stability. In the past decades, many landmarks, such as the BMICH, the Supreme Court Complex, the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, the Polonnaruwa Kidney Disease Hospital and the National Hospital Out-Patient Department Building, have been gifted by the Chinese people to the Sri Lankan people.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, especially when Sri Lanka was faced with the economic challenges last year, China has been supporting Sri Lanka to the best of its ability. It includes not only providing emergency assistance from all walks of life in China, but also being the first to reach out to Sri Lanka to properly deal with its debt issues.
More importantly, China will continue to firmly support Sri Lanka in pursuing a development path that suits its own national conditions, getting rid of the “poverty trap” and the “trap of non-development”, and safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity.”
News
Justice Minister sees police, judiciary and lawyers coming short on ensuring justice for all

The way the police, judiciary and lawyers operate had left much to be desired in ensuring justice for all, Minister of Justice Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said at the National Law Week – 2023 celebrations yesterday.
Dr. Rajapakshe said that in a country with the rule of law, all citizens felt they had access to justice. The Minister said that the country faced a severe economic crisis in 2022. The breakdown of the rule of law was a major reason for the economic crisis, the Justice Minister said.
Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya said at the same event that people needed to understand the roles and functions of the judiciary, police, mediation boards and other institutions of justice in order to obtain a satisfactory service.
“These institutions are there to ensure everyone has equal access to justice. If these institutions were not there, the rich and the powerful would always get their way,” the CJ said.
-
Features6 days ago
PAMANKADE -THE TOWN THAT VANISHED !
-
News6 days ago
Business focus shifting in a more favorable direction
-
Business6 days ago
SLT-DIGITAL Services and Surge Global forge strategic partnership to propel growth marketing and develop enterprise software solutions
-
News6 days ago
No new date yet for AL exam, postponement to have knock on effect
-
News5 days ago
US delaying visa for Security Oversight Committee head
-
Business6 days ago
Nirmal Saverimuttu Chief Executive Officer Virgin Voyages
-
News6 days ago
Expect more Easter Sunday type attacks: minister
-
Editorial5 days ago
C4, Grease Yaka and Trojan horse