Don’t provoke me -Mahinda

The former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had gone to the Welikada prison to visit the former Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and former TRC Director General Anusha Palpita who are currently serving a jail term.

While on his visit the former President had met with media and responded to their questions. At one point he seemed quite stern in his response to a journalist, “There is no fault. I admit that I am the one who gave the order. Don’t try to provoke me. What you want is to create a huge media spectacle,” he retorted.

Lalith, Anusha admitted to Prison Hospital

Former president’s secretary Lalith Weeratunga and former TRC director general AnushaPalpita were admitted to the Prison Hospital today.

Prisons Reforms Ministry Spokesman Dumidu Bandara said they were admitted to hospital as they had complained of suffering from diabetes.

18+ Tax file for all!

The government intends to open a tax file for every citizen over the age of 18, said Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera in parliament today (07).

However, he said that does not mean that everyone has to pay taxes.

Commencing the Inland Revenue Act debate in parliament today the Minister made these comments.

Lalith, Anusha sentenced

Former Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge and former Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) Director General Anusha Palpita were today found guilty of misappropriating Rs. 600 million of funds belonging to TRC over Controversial Sil Redi (fabrics used by devotees to observe sill) distribution case and they were sentenced to three-year-rigorous imprisonment by Colombo High Court.

Arjun Aloysius received inside information

The original telephone conversations from Perpetual Treasuries Limited has revealed that Arjun Aloysius has inside, confidential and price sensitive information ahead of treasury bond deals.A phone conversation highlights Aloysius being aware of the rates and volume the Employees Provident Fund and National Savings Bank would bid at an auction.

DLB Chairman removed

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera has removed Development Lotteries Board (DLB) Chairman Romesh Jayawardene from his portfolio, the gazette notice issued on Monday (04) revealed.

Mr. Jayawardene was appointed to the office by former finance minister Ravi Karunanayake. Mr. Jayawardene is also the brother-in-law of former minister Karunanayake.

Sarana Gunawardane remanded till Sept. 18

Former Petroleum Industries Deputy Minister and former Chairman of Development Lotteries Board (DLB) Sarana Gunawardena was yesterday ordered to be remanded till September 18 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne. This is for alleged misuse of a state vehicle valued over Rs.8 million, while he was serving as the Chairman of Development Lotteries Board during the previous regime. Former Deputy Minister was arrested by Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) over offences he is alleged to have committed under Public Property Act.

Geetha Kumarasinghe in ICU with burn injuries

Veteran actress and parliamentarian Geetha Kumarasinghe is currently in ICU at a private hospital following an accident at her residence.

According to police, an explosion in the kitchen has caused severe burn injuries to her arms, stomach and legs.