News
Some businesses cashing in on health crisis, says Ranawaka
Former Minister and SJB MP Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday questioned the rationale behind the government shutting down the Western Province for 11 days.
The former Minister said, in a media statement, that the scientific method of closing down a place for a period of time to prevent the spread of the disease would be either 14 days or 21 days or 28 days. “Those are the accepted number of days to close down countries or specific areas to prevent the spread of the disease scientifically. Shutting down the Western Province for 11 days actually equals no-closure at all in those terms and that action had only an immense impact on the national economy,” MP Ranawaka said.
Ranawaka said that shrewd and opportunistic businessmen working closely with government politicians had commenced importing COVID-19 testing equipment from China to make the most of the health crisis. “Who is worried about the standards of that equipment? What actions have the health authorities taken to prevent these businessmen from fleecing the public?
The former minister stressed the need for a national policy to tackle the pandemic.
“The economy is on the verge of collapse. The government should take steps to salvage the economy before the situation takes a turn for the worse, creating conditions for anarchy. Everybody should keep in mind that COVID-19 affected everyone equally, Ranawaka said.
“It is a problem for everybody and everyone must fully cooperate to beat the virus. That cannot be done successfully if the national health emergency is politicised, and some unscrupulous elements are allowed to cash in on the situation.”
Ranawaka called upon the government to act sensibly and secure the support of everyone to neutralise the COVID-19 threat once and for all.
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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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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