News

Thico scam: Udaya alleges minister behind mudslinging campaign against rivals

Published

4 years ago

2022/10/10

Thilina Walpola

… denies allegation against him

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (09) accused a minister of launching a social media campaign to discredit some Opposition MPs over the recent arrest of the owner of Thico Group of Companies Pvt Ltd., Thilini Priyamali, in connection with misappropriation of massive amounts of funds.MP Gammanpila has been named as one of those cheated by the woman.

Addressing the media outside the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the afternoon, Attorney-at-Law Gammanpila alleged that the minister had engaged a prominent social media activist to divert public attention away from a range of corruption charges against the government.Claiming her enterprise has been engaged in construction, real estate, gems, trading, and films, the businesswoman collected millions of Rupees from various persons, including politicians, businessmen and Buddhist monks, sources said.

The suspect who operated a luxurious office on the 34th floor of the World Trade Center in Colombo at the monthly rental of Rs 1.4 mn has been remanded till Oct. 19 by the Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage pending further investigations.he police produced the suspect before the Magistrate after having arrested her on a complaint received from a businessman pertaining to misappropriation of well over Rs 200 mn.

Lawmaker Gammanpila said that at the behest of the minister, social media activist had named him and several others, including MPs Dayasiri Jayasekera (SLPP Kurunegala district), Hesha Vithanage (SJB Ratnapura District) and Chaminda Wijesiri (SJB Badulla) as those near and dear to the suspect.

Declaring that he sought the CID’s intervention, MP Gammanpila urged the police to release the entire list of Priyamali’s contacts obtained during the investigations to prevent interested parties from slinging mud at opponents. Responding to another query, Gammanpila said that he raised the issue at hand with Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and was confident law enforcement authorities could quickly identify the persons responsible for the fabricated list.

“Of course, there is a list. She had cheated businessmen, politicians, monks and artistes. But, I’m not among them,” lawmaker Gammanpila said, urging social media users to be cautious when sharing posts. The police should reveal the identities of those who had been cheated by the suspect as well as her accomplices.

Lawmaker Gammanpila alleged that he suspected the minister whose shady deals and other controversial transactions were now in the public domain was behind this operation.Reiterating his commitment for media freedom, MP Gammanpila said that regulation of social media was necessary to prevent various interested parties from blatantly exploiting social media platforms.

The fake list included former MP Karunaratne Paranavithana, Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe, Yeheli Sangakkara, Ravi Kumudesh, MP Kabir Hashim, former MP Wasantha Samarasinghe, MP Dr Nalaka Godahewa, Ven. Omalpe Sobitha thero, Ven. Madille Panghaloka thero, ex-MP Ranjan Ramanayake, Damitha Abeyratne and ex-MP Jeevan Kumaratunga.

Ravi Kumudesh said that it was part of an overall propaganda project meant to undermine a selected group of people.Investigations have revealed that the suspect employed some actresses and models to lure targeted ‘investors.’ Those who had subsequently demanded their funds were threatened with exposure, sources said, adding that more arrests were likely.

The group posted the following on its website: “Thico Group Pvt. Ltd. is the brainchild of Ms. Thilini Priyamali is a duly registered company which is well diversified in nature. Catering to a range of industries including construction, entertainment, gem and jewellery, real estate and trading, the Company aims to attract a diverse clientele. Operating from the 34th floor, World Trade Centre, each avenue falls under respective companies managed by industry experts who ensure efficiency and growth. The ultimate expectation is to help our customers to fulfill their dreams.”

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Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations

Published

3 hours ago

2026/05/4

Priyan

President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Upon arrival at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.

Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

News

Sri Lanka and Maldives strengthen ties with productive bilateral talks

Published

3 hours ago

2026/05/4

Priyan

Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.

Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.

President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.

The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.

Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.

The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

News

Maldives and Sri Lanka exchange seven MOUs

Published

3 hours ago

2026/05/4

Priyan

Seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), signed across several sectors between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, were formally exchanged this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives.

Marking a new chapter in Maldives–Sri Lanka relations, the MoUs cover cooperation in the fields of health, sports, tourism, education and defence.

Accordingly:

1. MoU on Tourism Cooperation between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

2. MoU on Archiving Cooperation between the Department of National Archives of Sri Lanka and the National Archives of the Maldives was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

3. MoU on Training and Professional Development of Teachers and School Leaders between the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development of the Maldives and the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education of Sri Lanka was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

4. MoU on Sports and Youth Development Cooperation between the Republic of Maldives and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

5. MoU on Defence Cooperation between the National Counter Terrorism Centre of the Maldives and the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka was exchanged by the Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired).

6. MoU between the Ministry of Defence and National Service of the Maldives and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University of Sri Lanka was exchanged by the Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad and the Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara.

7. MoU on Academic Cooperation between the University of Colombo of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare of the Maldives was exchanged by Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake.

The state visit of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, undertaken at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, aims to further strengthen economic, cultural and social ties between the two countries, while enhancing their multifaceted partnership.

Cabinet Ministers, government officials and members of the Maldivian delegation, representing both Sri Lanka and the Maldives, were present at the occasion.

[President’s Media Division]