Attention (English) Archives - Page 9 of 12 - උණුසුම් පුවත්

15 Jan

South Korean President Arrested.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 15, 2025 @ 9:59 am (LK time)

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been arrested for questioning, according to the country’s anti corruption agency, in the latest part of a weekslong political saga that began with the embattled president’s shock martial law decree last month.

Yoon left his residential compound with investigators in a motorcade Wednesday morning and was taken into custody – the first time such an action has been taken against a living president in South Korea.

Yoon is wanted for questioning in multiple investigations linked to his short-lived declaration, including over accusations of leading an insurrection – a crime punishable by life imprisonment or even the death sentence.

The embattled president has been holed up in his fortified home for weeks surrounded by his Presidential Security Service team, evading arrest as he faces several probes and an impeachment trial.

The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), which is working with police and the defense ministry to investigate Yoon, first attempted to detain him earlier this month, but it failed after an hours-long showdown in which soldiers and members of the presidential security detail blocked some 80 police and investigators from approaching the presidential compound.

15 Jan

Package Price Hikes? TRC Seeks User Reports.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 15, 2025 @ 9:32 am (LK time)

The Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission has asked the public to quickly inform the Commission if any mobile phone service provider has increased the prices of its packages.

The Director of the Commission, Indrajith Handapangoda, further stated that all mobile phone services companies have told the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission in writing that no price increase has been made so far.

Therefore, if any consumer is facing an increase in the prices of a mobile phone package that he has currently activated, he is requested to submit information about it to the Commission with evidence, and that the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission has the power to take action against such service providers for violating the conditions of the licenses granted to their service providers.

15 Jan

Was a Retired Officer Targeted in Dodangoda Shooting?

By unusuma.lk on Jan 15, 2025 @ 8:24 am (LK time)

A retired police officer’s home in the Wilpatha neighborhood of Dodangoda, Sri Lanka, was shot at early on January 15.

The house’s glass was hit by four bullets. Thankfully, the incident did not result in any fatalities or injuries.

Responding quickly, the Special Task Force sealed the area to protect the public and allow Kalutara Divisional Crime Investigation Department officials to conduct a comprehensive investigation.

The reason for the shooting is still being looked into.

14 Jan

1,000+ Containers Cleared: Sri Lanka Customs’ New Plan Tackles Port Delays.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 14, 2025 @ 8:21 pm (LK time)

Sri Lanka Customs has implemented a unique scheme to expedite container clearance in response to persistent delays at the Colombo Port.

According to a statement by Customs Media Spokesman Seevali Arukgoda, the initiative was started per the president’s directive.

242 containers that were inspected and released from the RCT, Greyline 1, and Greyline 2 yards yesterday were among the 459 containers that were cleared.

Authorities claim that slower clearance rates are the result of a lack of clearing agents and truck drivers, notwithstanding Customs’ ability to process about 500 containers each day.

Despite the fact that door permits had previously been granted, 496 containers were still at the port pending clearance. These containers have not yet been inspected this morning at the assigned yards.

The problem is made worse by the fact that 603 more containers that Customs had cleared are still waiting to be picked up at the port.

As a result, importers’ and their agents’ failure to collect is causing serious storage problems and port terminal congestion.

Even though today is a national holiday, Sri Lanka Customs and other pertinent governmental agencies are still in action to address these problems.

The continuous endeavors are concentrated on reducing the strain on storage capacity and accelerating the container clearance procedure.

According to officials, the project is essential to clearing the backlog, reducing traffic, and enhancing port operations’ effectiveness.

14 Jan

Digital NICs Coming This Month: Rs.20 Billion Project Aims to Slash Delays.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 14, 2025 @ 8:12 pm (LK time)

According to Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne, the digital National Identity Cards (NICs) would be distributed by the end of this month.

All new National Identity Cards (NICs) would be converted to digital format as part of the project, he stated.

The goal of switching to digital NICs is to reduce the severe delays that have been afflicting the current identity card issuance system.

The Deputy Minister did disclose, however, that the projected cost of putting the digital identity card system into place is Rs. 20 billion.

“The digital identity system is not a cause for alarm. The Indian company won’t have access to any personal information; they are merely helping with the technical setup. The information will only be available to the government,” he stated.

14 Jan

Cooperative Society Elections Reveal Cracks in NPP’s Support Base.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 14, 2025 @ 8:01 pm (LK time)

Recent cooperative society elections in a few localities have resulted in a loss for the ruling National People’s Power (NPP), generating concerns.

Only 32 members of the group supported by the ruling NPP were elected to the management board of the Kelaniya Cooperative Society, compared to 99 members of the group backed by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

The NPP-backed group did not gain any seats in the Angunakolapellessa Society in the Hambantota District, whereas the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) won all nine seats.

Nonetheless, the NPP was able to win the Mahara Cooperative Society, where 89 of the 100 members of the committee belonged to a faction supported by the ruling party.

14 Jan

Sri Lanka’s All-Female Hotel: Empowering Women and Transforming Tourism.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 14, 2025 @ 6:20 pm (LK time)

South Asia’s first all-female tourist hotel, Amba Yalu, recently opened in Dambulla’s Kandalama area. The grand opening was attended by embassy officials, government representatives, tourism industry leaders, and two nuns who conducted a blessing ceremony.

This hotel, a collaboration with the Thema Collection Institute, is unique in its entirely female workforce.

Head chef, Mrs. Supavedani Kaushaya Batagoda, expressed immense pride in leading the kitchen and utilizing her extensive international and local culinary expertise at this pioneering establishment.

14 Jan

30% Off Your Electricity Bill? New Proposal Sparks Hope.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 14, 2025 @ 5:26 pm (LK time)

Sri Lanka’s Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) reports that public consultations on the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) proposed electricity tariff revisions yielded suggestions for a 20-30% reduction in tariffs.

Approximately 400 individuals participated in the consultations across the nine provinces, representing a diverse range of stakeholders, including private citizens, politicians, and professionals.

14 Jan

Gov officially raised the red flag against Nissanka Bandula.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 14, 2025 @ 3:09 pm (LK time)

Sunil Watagala, Deputy Minister of Public Security for Sri Lanka, declared the government intention to start impeachment procedures against Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne, President of the Court of Appeal.

Watagala verified the gathering of the required signatures for the impeachment motion.

Further action will be decided, he said, depending on an inquiry into allegations that Judge Karunaratne might resign before his planned retirement in few days.

The impeachment process will only start should Judge Karunaratne not follow expected retirement schedule.

14 Jan

President AKD has landed in China.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 14, 2025 @ 2:13 pm (LK time)

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made his first state visit to China today (14) and landed at Beijing International Airport.

The Chinese military gave President Dissanayake a ceremonial welcome, and China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong formally received him.

According to the President’s Media Division, the national flags of both countries were tastefully flown along President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s route, signifying respect and goodwill between the two countries.

The President is expected to take part in a number of important activities during this state visit, such as field trips that concentrate on agricultural and technological advancement and programs that try to reduce poverty. High-level business meetings and discussions are also part of the visit.

Additionally, it is anticipated that the visit will result in the signing of a number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) intended to improve bilateral cooperation between China and Sri Lanka.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Transportation, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Colombo Qi Zhenhong, and Ambassador Majintha Jayesinghe of Sri Lanka are among the delegation that is traveling with President Dissanayake.

We are happy to invite you.