Main news (English) Archives - Page 3 of 8 - උණුසුම් පුවත්

25 Jan

“No Political Vendetta”: Minister Explains Yoshitha Rajapaksa’s Arrest.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 25, 2025 @ 9:08 pm (LK time)

At a special media briefing held today (25) at the Government Information Department, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa clarified that Yoshitha Rajapaksa’s arrest was not influenced by his status as the son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Minister emphasized that legal action would be taken if land or property was purchased illegally or under suspicious circumstances, dismissing claims of a political vendetta behind the arrest.

“The law will be implemented if the CID uncovers illegal or suspicious property purchases. Yoshitha was not arrested because he is Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son,” the Minister stated.

He further explained that ongoing investigations by the CID and police will present facts to the courts, and arrests will follow based on evidence. Addressing concerns about granting bail, the Minister added:

“They will be granted bail, but proceedings will continue. It is the courts’ responsibility to implement the law, while the government facilitates the process.”

25 Jan

$35 Million investment to Stop Chinese Bra Cups.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 25, 2025 @ 9:03 pm (LK time)

Italian apparel company Benji Garments has entered a new agreement with Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment to enhance technology for manufacturing bra cups used in world-renowned lingerie brands. This initiative involves a significant investment of $35 million.

Benji Garments, owned by an Italian parent company operating in Sri Lanka under Sirio and Alfa, began producing women’s lingerie in 2006.

With this investment, the company will introduce advanced machinery and equipment to increase bra cup production capacity by 35%, from the current output of 30 million units. According to the Board of Investment, this development is set to eliminate the reliance on bra cup imports from China, retaining valuable foreign exchange within the country.

25 Jan

Yoshitha Rajapaksa’s Arrested.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 25, 2025 @ 11:45 am (LK time)

Police Media Spokesperson, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Buddhika Manatunga, announced that Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the Beliatta area this morning (25).

The arrest followed confirmation from the Attorney General, who stated that sufficient evidence exists indicating Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, No. 5 of 2006.

SSP Manatunga further explained that the arrest was carried out to initiate additional legal action against Yoshitha Rajapaksa under the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code Act.

It was also noted that Yoshitha Rajapaksa had visited the CID on January 3 to provide a statement regarding the ownership of a land located in Kataragama.

24 Jan

Sangakkara Appointed Chairman of MCC Cricket Advisory Committee.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 24, 2025 @ 7:41 pm (LK time)

Former Sri Lankan cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara has been appointed as the chairman of the MCC World Cricket Advisory Committee.

The prestigious committee also includes notable figures such as ICC chairman Jay Shah, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, former South African opener Graeme Smith, England’s director of cricket Andrew Strauss, England women’s captain Heather Knight, and Geostar CEO Sanjog Gupta.

International media reports indicate that the MCC World Cricket Advisory Committee is set to convene on June 7 and 8, just ahead of the final day of the Research World Test Championship between Australia and South Africa at Lord’s.

24 Jan

Former President Seeks Court Order to Restore Security.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 24, 2025 @ 7:33 pm (LK time)

A fundamental rights petition has been filed seeking an order to reinstate the security forces that were withdrawn from former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

In his petition, Mahinda Rajapaksa claimed that the decision to remove his security personnel was made without a proper threat assessment. He highlighted that his current security detail has been reduced to only 60 officers, consisting solely of police personnel.

Rajapaksa emphasized that, as the leader who oversaw the end of a three-decade-long war, he continues to face threats to his life, including those from terrorist groups. He has requested the court to direct the respondents to conduct a comprehensive threat assessment and ensure adequate protection.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and several other ministers have been named as respondents in the case.

The former President has also urged the court to rule that the respondents violated his fundamental rights by arbitrarily reducing his security arrangements.

24 Jan

Is the Government Promoting Homosexual Rights in Schools?

By unusuma.lk on Jan 24, 2025 @ 7:18 pm (LK time)

The Hela Kantha Balaya organization, representing the Patriotic National Force, has raised concerns about an alleged government-backed program promoting homosexual rights.

Lawyer Madumali Alwis, a member of the organization, claimed that evidence suggests efforts are being made to influence children’s perceptions through school textbooks.

According to her, this promotion allegedly undermines the recognition of the existence of two genders in society. She also accused certain non-governmental organizations of being the driving force behind this initiative.

Furthermore, Alwis alleged that a significant medical mafia is involved in encouraging homosexuality among children.

However, she emphasized that while there is no objection to individuals exercising their rights to homosexual advocacy privately.

24 Jan

Kutti Volunteers to Take Mahinda Home.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 24, 2025 @ 7:12 pm (LK time)

Speaking to the media today (24), former MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi expressed that it would be more fitting for current President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to abolish the executive presidency before considering the repossession of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s official residence.

The former MP accused the National People’s Force, which previously opposed the executive presidency system, of now wielding executive powers without hesitation.

Kuttiarachchi further stated that if the government intends to reclaim Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence, they should formally request it through an official letter. He added that Mahinda Rajapaksa is prepared to welcome to his residence and treat him as a modern-day living Dutugemunu.

23 Jan

While the Government Grounds Kings, the Opposition Shoulders Them.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 23, 2025 @ 8:47 pm (LK time)

Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, addressing Parliament today (23), announced that the government will take definitive action to relieve the public from the financial burden of maintaining former presidents, first ladies, and ministers, despite ongoing objections.

The Minister also stated that opposition members without party affiliations have established a forum titled the “Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Mansion Saving Forum.”

Dr. Jayatissa detailed that the residence, located on 30,554 square feet of land, has undergone significant expansion over time. Originally a smaller property, various adjoining plots were acquired, transforming it into a sprawling estate now spanning approximately an acre. The monthly rental value of the house is estimated at 4.6 million rupees.

He further revealed that over the past few years, more than 43 million rupees have been spent on renovations, which include the installation of modern electric elevators.

Concluding his remarks, Minister Dr. Jayatissa reminded Parliament that Mahinda Rajapaksa could vacate the residence at any time without awaiting official notification.

23 Jan

Key Decision on 10 Major Banks in Sri Lanka Announced.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 23, 2025 @ 8:27 pm (LK time)

Fitch Ratings has revised Sri Lanka’s national rating scale and upgraded the national long-term ratings of ten banks. Additionally, the ratings agency has affirmed the long-term national ratings for five other banks in the country.

On December 20, 2024, Fitch Ratings upgraded Sri Lanka’s long-term local-currency issuer default rating (IDR) from ‘CCC-’ to ‘CCC+’. As a general practice, Fitch does not assign outlooks for sovereigns with a rating of ‘CCC+’ or lower.

The following Sri Lankan banks have received upgraded national long-term ratings:

Bank of Ceylon: Upgraded from ‘A(lka)’ to ‘AA-(lka)’
People’s Bank: Upgraded from ‘A(lka)’ to ‘AA-(lka)’
Commercial Bank PLC: Upgraded from ‘A(lka)’ to ‘AA-(lka)’
Hatton National Bank PLC: Upgraded from ‘A(lka)’ to ‘AA-(lka)’
Sampath Bank PLC: Upgraded from ‘A(lka)’ to ‘AA-(lka)’
Seylan Bank PLC: Upgraded from ‘A-(lka)’ to ‘A+(lka)’
DFCC Bank PLC: Upgraded from ‘A-(lka)’ to ‘A(lka)’
National Development Bank PLC: Upgraded from ‘A-(lka)’ to ‘A(lka)’
Nations Trust Bank PLC: Upgraded from ‘A-(lka)’ to ‘A(lka)’
Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC: Upgraded from ‘BBB-(lka)’ to ‘BBB(lka)’

The following banks have had their ratings affirmed:

Amana Bank PLC
Union Bank of Colombo PLC
Sanasa Development Bank PLC
Housing Development Finance Corporation Bank of Sri Lanka
Cargills Bank PLC

22 Jan

Bimal’s Bold Initiative: Fixing Sri Lanka’s Deadliest Black Spots.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 22, 2025 @ 8:38 pm (LK time)

The tragic loss of lives due to road accidents remains a pressing issue in Sri Lanka, with 5 to 10 fatalities reported daily.

Addressing Parliament today (22), Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Bimal Ratnayake, announced a significant initiative in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The project aims to identify and rectify high-risk locations, commonly referred to as “Black Spots,” where accidents frequently occur.

The Minister highlighted that the majority of these hazardous sites have been identified, and urgent repairs are underway. Only a few areas requiring substantial financial investment—amounting to billions of rupees—remain pending.

We are happy to invite you.