Rs 150 million feritliser fraud
A fertiliser fraud running into Rs. 150 million has been detected by the Investigation Division of the Ministry of Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services following the arrest of four persons including two Agriculture Development officers and a chairman of a farmer society. Three Agriculture Development Officers and a Divisional Officer were also interdicted. This came to light following a series of raids in the Anuradhapura and Hambantota districts during the past three weeks.
More in Sunday Observer 21 June www.sundayobserver.lk
Illegal sandmining continues
In spite of a landmark judgement banning sand mining in the Chillaw area, the Deduru Oya (river) basin continues to be notorious for illegal sand mining. The practice is continuing allegedly with the tacit approval of local Pradeshiya Sabha politicians. A recent police investigation has revealed that the modus operandi of the suspects was to use mechanised Backhoe Caterpillar machines to excavate mounds of sandy earth from Walpolawatte Estate, a 150 acre estate with a lot of sandy soil located at Kotadeniyawa. The sandy earth collected was then washed and the processed sand was sold at Rs. 7,000 a cube, inquiries revealed. Three suspects were taken into custody recently with the Backhoe Caterpillar worth Rs 8 million.
More in Sunday Observer 21 June www.sundayobserver.lk
Golden Key follow-up
* Suspects refused bail
Ceylinco Group Chairman Llaith Kotelawala and 13 other suspects were refused bail and further remanded by the Mt Lavinia Magistrate until 16 July *New company floated The Court was told that another company under the name ‘S & L’ had been formed with two new directors and Rs 500 million had been deposited in favour of this company. * Documents missing The Court was also informed that a search of Lalith Kotelawala’s residence revealed that a lot of documents had been removed.
More in Daly Mirror 19 June www.dailymirror.lk
A costly fee to escape from death!
A woman claiming to be a soothsayer obtained Rs 400,000 from another female to prevent her from imminent death within seven days, through meditation and prayers. She was ultimately brought before the courts and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment an a fine of Rs 41,000. She WA asked to pay the money she obtained form the complainant too.
More in Daly Mirror 19 June www.dailymirror.lk
Vital Commission winds up
The Presidential Commission appointed to investigate serious human rights violations has wound up operations without completing its mandate as an extension has not been granted. The eight-member Commission headed by former Supreme Court judge Nissanka Udalagama lasted for one year and five months.
More in Daily Mirror 16 June www.dailymirror.lk
Smuggling artefacts
A fine of Rs 50,000 was imposed by the Customs Bio Diversity Protection Unit (BDPU) on a Swedish national for attempting to leave Sri Lanka with two priceless antique Buddha statues. It was a sequel to the Customs taking in an Amercan national last January when he tried to smuggle out 74 artefacts via a private courier service. This lo consisted of statues of the Buddha and other deities, relic caskets and ola leaves. Most of them belonged to the Kandy era. These items were being sent to an American buyer running a large scale international Buddhist artefacts business called ‘The Buddha Gallery’.
The 74 items were confiscated and the suspect was released on a bail of Rs 50,000 and later sent back.
More in Daily Mirror 16 June www.dailymirror.lk
Rs 928,000 monthly to maintain a minister?
Claiming that a huge Rs 928,000 is being spent monthly for the upkeep of each minister and his staff, the main opposition party, the UNP wants the government to work out a strategy of rebuilding the country by reducing the giant cabinet thereby cutting down the expenses for the sake of the nation.
More in Daily Mirror 15 June www.dailymirror.lk
Court vehicle attacked
Remanding three suspects who have allegedly attacked the vehicle transporting the Court Registrar, the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate said that thugs and hooligans cannot be allowed to play games with the courts.
More in Daily Mirror 15 June www.dailymirror.lk