Concerns over move to Reinstate Controversial CMC Commissioner

The attempt to bring the former Colombo Municipal Commissioner back to office by a group of UNP Municipal Councilors has raised eyebrows in the council.

RALLY IN NEGOMBO GOVT. FUNDS ALLEGEDLY USED FOR MAHINDA'S ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Following the recommendations made by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Serious Acts of Fraud and Corruption (PRECIFAC), the Attorney General last week filed indictments against those who have misappropriated public funds to conduct an election rally in Negombo in the run up to the 2015 Presidential Elections.   

Rumble in a Khaki Jungle

“My two children suffering from Diarrhea are warded at the hospital. I have no money. My wife is blaming me and inquiring whether I am coming home? I am now fed up with this job sir”.   

Mafia Groups Rule The Roost at CEB

It is reported that mini electric power plant owners, who are CEB engineers, are filling their pockets by providing electricity to the nation. When the Ceylon Electricity Board was established in 1970 the total power output was 265 Megawatts. This comprised of 192 Megawatts from Hydro power and 73 Megawatts from thermal power. During this time there were only 70,644 consumers. The cost of generating one unit of electricity was cents 9 and distr

CID on Collision course with CDS over the fugitive

?According to the ‘B’ Report submitted to the Colombo Fort Magistrates Court (Case number B 732/ 09) by the CID last week, several witnesses within the Sri Lanka Navy have provided information to sleuths. The information reveals that Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne personally harboured fugitive Lieutenant Commander Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi alias Navy Sampath at Navy headquarters, provided him with lodgin

NCPA cries foul over political interference Appointing of Divisional Child Protection Officers

It was revealed in a recent investigative newspaper article that the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) is facing a crisis. Up to now a Director Board hasn’t been appointed and this boils down to the fact that this institute is affected by corrupt practices of politicians. And all pointers indicate that the issue extends beyond an administrative crisis. In short this investigation is connected with a political hand in the submitting

Grant Hyatt Hotel Project Govt. suffers mammoth loss due to termination of contract

The much debated Grand Hyatt Hotel Project in Colombo, which allegedly involved financial frauds amounting to billions of tax payers’ money during the previous regime, is now facing yet another hurdle following an order delivered against it at an arbitration tribunal in Singapore.   

Why do Authorities Fear Right to Information Act

Come June this year it will mark the completion of two years after the Right to Information Act was passed in Parliament. The act came into force on 3rd of February  last year.   

Sugar puts Tea industry in a dilemma

It was last February that the story of 53 tea factories, which allegedly adulterate tea with sugar during production, was revealed. The raids on these tea factories had been carried out by the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB). The Minister of Plantation Industries of Sri Lanka Navin Dissanayake said that any 

Passport to the murky world of contraceptives for housemaids

Two months ago, unrest sparked across the country due to the speculation that a pill that causes infertility had been mixed with a food served in a small restaurant in Ampara. The particle was later found to be mere lumps of flour. Nevertheless, did you know that a considerable number of Sri Lankan women, who work in the Gulf as housemaids, regardless of their race, have been unwillingly taking ‘the most dangerous contraceptive in the world

Gota and Fonseka trade charges on who attacked Lasantha and Keith

The key technical evidence presented by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to the Mount Lavinia Magistrate Court in connection with the investigations into the 2008 abduction and assault on Senior Journalist, former....

Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant Spewing controversy and more pollution

The Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai has been a controversial establishment ever since its first unit was commissioned on March 2011. The Power Plant, which adds 900 Megawatts to the National Grid through three generators using coal, 

More Questions for SriLankan Will SLA’s proposed wet lease deal with Turkish Airlines receive Govt.

Criticism is now being levelled against a few officials at the Prime Minister’s office for attempting to obtain cabinet approval for an unorthodox proposal submitted by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the national carrier.  

Welikada shooting incident unfolding in court

Prison Department’s Rehabilitation Commissioner and Magazine Prison’s former Superintendent Emil Ranjan Lamahewage and Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) Inspector Moses Rangajeewa Newamal are extolled as ‘heroes’ by some groups in our society for their alleged involvement into the killing of 27 inmates in Welikada Prison on November 09 and 10, 2012. Certain groups justify the shooting,

Why Is The Police Commission So Inefficient ?

The Premier had stated that the commission in the past had been gearing up only when there were shortcomings, which was due to the absence of a practical methodology. 

Does Sri Lanka have courage to nab human traffickers?

Startling revelations are now coming to light as to how Sri Lankans too are getting actively involved in human trafficking. But there is a failure on the part of the authorities concerned in taking adequate action against these law breakers which has raised eyebrows in the society.   

Evidence unfolding before courts on Lasantha's Murder

The unfolding evidence the Criminal Investigation Department is now gathering reveals how the former Head of Sri Lanka Police is alleged to have had in his possession the most vital evidence which was destroyed to thwart the investigations conducted into the brutal murder of former Editor of The Sunday Leader Lasantha Wickrematunge.   

When the uneducated are nourished on a diet of myths and ‘infertility pills’

Life in Kandy and Ampara Districts has returned to normalcy now. The country is at present experiencing calm after a storm. 

US closes in on sex slave operators and human traffickers

Modern slavery and human trafficking have become the world’s third largest money spinning businesses and third fastest growing criminal industry.   

Violent extremism shows its seeds can grow anywhere

Their desperate faces stared at the houses and shops torched and destroyed in Digana, Teldeniya and Ambatenne areas. By March 10, as the curfew was lifted in Kandy, various groups of people started visiting the troubled areas. Local and international media personnel were seen taking photographs and interviewing the victims 

Aranayaka Victims Left in the Lurch

A group of men and women sit under a thatched hut, just outside a temporary camp hidden in plain sight, in the town of Dippitiya, Aranayaka. The dilapidated hut is home to 14 families when the sweltering heat inside their tents is unbearable. The women sit accompanying their children with cloth covering their heads, as the shelter does little to give them cover against the scorching sun. The young ones attend to their homework, on makeshift tab

Twists and turns in the Jaliya Wickramasuriya case

In a new twist in the saga of Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador to the United States of America, it has emerged that the US Authorities were in communication with the former Ambassador, Jaliya Chitran Wickramasuriya, about becoming a prosecution witness in an U.S. investigation into allegedly dubious financial transactions made by persons connected to the former First family.   

Inquiry into Lasantha’s killing in a muddle

A gang that arrived in motorcycles was seen stabbing with pointed rods.  Alleging that the evidence relating to the killing of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickremathunge had been concealed several big shots in Sri Lanka Police being handcuffed and taken into custody was observed during the 

Child protection in Sri Lanka Lapses at NCPA pose questions about competency

Protecting the rights of every citizen is a necessity. But where do children place themselves in this picture? Children – those who should be nurtured to take the mantle of this world forward- are in most instances the neglected lot. Child protection also takes a similar stance.

When Cops and a Robber take you for a Ride!

The above advertisement appeared in a newspaper on the  February 12, 2017. There had been many callers who inquired about this vehicle. Rizvi Ahmed from Galle was one. The owner of the vehicle had been one Danuka. Ahmed had been told that Danuka was an architect.

Concerns raised over tab tender precedure Questions raised regarding Education Ministry procedure

Following the ruling party’s defeat at the Local Government Elections, which is linked to the failure in putting a stop to bribery and corruption within the Government, it has now come to light that the Education Ministry Officials have violated a tender procedure.   

Frozen pangolin at a Chinese restaurant CHINA'S INSATIABLE LOVE FOR PANGOLINS PUTS ISLAND ON ALERT

The talk of the town among wildlife enthusiasts in Sri Lanka is that the pangolin is under threat! The earliest evidence relating to the existence of this animal dating back to the Pliocene and Pleistocene Epochs suggests that the pangolin has survived for a very long time. Researchers have found pangolin fossil from rocks during these periods in Cape Province, Africa.

Attacks on female candidates A LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENT TURNS SOUR

Over the past weeks female candidates have been subjected to attacks ranging from verbal abuse, psychological abuse to physical violence. The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence(CMEV) has received 34 complaints regarding violence against females during elections. 

MAGA NEGUMA GOING ASTRAY

 The necessity to have a national policy for every sector is the requirement for the development of the country and a matter that has been discussed for a long time. But what happens is just  the opposite!   

Another 'Concrete' Money Spinner!

The Wilpattu forest reserve made headlines with massive deforestation practices taking place over the past few years. Although these activities seem to be in a dormant stage as at now, the necessary damage has already been done. Last December, the Auditor General issued a comprehensive report