News
US returns two antique Buddha statues looted from Sri Lanka
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. has announced the return of a pair of antique statues of the Buddha valued at approximately $66,000 to Sri Lanka, Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations said in a statement.
The pair of statues was seized pursuant to the D.A.’s Office’s investigation of Subhash Kapoor. The statutes date back to the 18th Century C.E. and measure approximately 14 inches in height.
The antiquities were returned during a repatriation ceremony attended by Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN, Ambassador Mohan Pieris and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) Deputy Special Agent-in-Charge Erik Rosenblatt.
“This remarkable pair was part of the collection of thousands of looted and stolen antiquities that my Office’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit and our partners at Homeland Security Investigations seized from Subhash Kapoor,” said District Attorney Vance.
Kapoor and his co-conspirators allegedly trafficked millions of dollars’ worth of ancient relics with abandon for many years.
“We have filed charges and extradition paperwork to ensure Kapoor will face justice for these crimes of culture. While we await his return to Manhattan, we are incredibly pleased to be able to repatriate these beautiful pieces to their rightful owners – the people of Sri Lanka,” the Manhattan District Attorney said.
Homeland Security Investigations New York Special Agent-in-Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said that preserving the world’s cultural heritage is and will continue to be a priority for Homeland Security Investigations.
He said the pieces repatriated have a significant monetary value, but these pieces are invaluable to the people of Sri Lanka.
“It is an honor for HSI and our law enforcement partners to collaborate with our fellow nations to return artifacts to their rightful home.”
“We are grateful for the tireless work of the Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., his staff, the members of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit led by Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bogdanos and officers of the Homeland Security Investigations for recovering and restoring for the first time in the US, two historically valuable artifacts of the Buddha dating to the 18th Century, as part of Sri Lanka’s rich religious and cultural heritage,” said Ambassador Mohan Pieris.
For many years, the Manhattan D.A.’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit, along with law enforcement partners at HSI, has been investigating Kapoor and his co-conspirators for the illegal looting, exportation, and sale of ancient art from Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal, Indonesia, and other nations.
by Saman Indrajith
TheBatalanda Presidential Co-mission report was tabled in Parliament yesterday (14) by the Leader of the House and Transport Minister, Bimal Ratnayake.
Minister Ratnayake announced that the government has decided to forward the report to the Attorney General for legal advice. Additionally, a Presidential Committee will be appointed to provide guidance and recommendations on how to proceed with the findings of the report.
Ratnayake said that the Cabinet-of-Ministers, along with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has made a policy decision to take necessary action in response to the report. He reassured the public that steps are being taken to ensure that such a dark chapter in the country’s history is never repeated.
Minister Ratnayake said that a two-day debate on the Batalanda Commission report will be scheduled in Parliament at an appropriate time, allowing for a detailed discussion on the report’s findings and recommendations.
The report, which will be printed in all three official languages—Sinhala, Tamil, and English—will be made available to the public in the near future. Ratnayake confirmed that printed copies would be provided to Members of Parliament, as well as the general public, for review.
The Leader of the House revealed that there are 28 evidence volumes associated with the Commission’s work, which will be submitted to Parliament at a later date for further scrutiny.
Ratnayake said that as the entire country is concerned about the findings of the Batalanda Commission, the government’s commitment to addressing the issues raised, and preventing future atrocities, stands clear. The next steps, including legal action and policy recommendations, will be shaped by expert advice and informed parliamentary discussions, he said.
The Parliamentary watchdog Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has found that there were fake documents regarding the importing of medicines under the emergency procurement system in 2022 and 2023.
This was revealed during a COPE meeting held at Parliament probing the transactions of the National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA).
NMRA CEO Saveen Semage told the Committee that several fake documents have been found due to the lack of registration of medicines.
Stating that six such fake documents were found last year alone, Saveen Semage said he had recorded statements regarding each of the documents with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division.
He revealed that, however, no investigations have been conducted yet into the incidents.
“We have documents with confessions from a woman accepting that fake documents had been made. However, a statement has not even been recorded from that woman yet,” he said.
Meanwhile, COPE member MP Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana also revealed that the highest number of waive-off registrations (WOR) for medicines had been obtained in 2022 and 2023.
He said 656 waive-off registrations (WOR) had been obtained in 2022 and 261 in 2023, adding that this proves that discrepancies have taken place during the emergency procurement of medicines during these periods.
Furthermore, Deputy Director General of the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry, Dr. G. Wijesuriya, said discussions are underway on allowing the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) to directly import essential medicines.He pointed out that it was essential to take a policy decision in this regard as a solution to mitigate such discrepancies.
by Norman Palihawadane
Department of Prisons’ Media Spokesperson, Gamini Dissanayake said yesterday that retired Superintendent of the high security Boossa Prison, Siridath Dhammika, who was tragically gunned down at Thalagaha, in Akmeemana, on Thursday (13), had been provided with a firearm for his protection during his tenure, considering the potential threat to his life.
Dissanayake said that during his service period, he had received threats from certain individuals.
Furthermore, the Prison Department stated that during his service, there were no significant issues or shortcomings found in his personal records.
Dissanayake said that the majority of detainees at the Boossa Prison are individuals linked to organized crimes.
US had productive talks with Putin over Ukraine war, Trump says
Showers above 50mm can be expected at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara and Kurunegala districts
Batalanda Commission report tabled … finally
-
Editorial6 days agoRanil roasted in London
-
Latest News7 days agoS. Thomas’ beat Royal by five wickets in the 146th Battle of the Blues
-
Features6 days agoThe JVP insurrection of 1971 as I saw it as GA Ampara
-
Opinion5 days agoInsulting SL armed forces
-
Features6 days agoMr. JR Jayewardene’s passport
-
News3 days agoAlfred Duraiappa’s relative killed in Canada shooting
-
Features6 days agoAs superpower America falls into chaos, being small is beautiful for Sri Lanka
-
Opinion6 days agoBeyond Victory: sportsmanship thrives at Moratuwa Big Match