Dambulla rocked by loan scandal using bogus land deeds

Fraudulent business deals initiated with banks using counterfeit land deeds is a frequently discussed issue in Dambulla. In this article, the Daily Mirror attempts to shed light on the execution....

A TORTURE VICTIM’S DIARY: HORRORS, LIES AND THE TRUTH

The failure to terminate the services of the three police officers, who were found guilty by the Supreme Court of torturing and infringing the fundamental rights of a petitioner, has attracted public criticism....

State sector employment Trade unions knew of decision not to disburse bonuses-allowances for 2023

It has been reported recently that Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera has given instructions to withhold bonuses and other allowances to employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board for the year 2023. However, according to Rusiripala Thennakoon, the former Bank of Ceylon Chairman, bonuses and other allowances had been withheld not only for CEB employees, but also for all government institutions.Therefore, he added that issuing a separa

Crisis Hit Sri Lankans End Up In Foreign Cyber Slavery

In the early 2022, when the entire country was going through a ‘hell’ without essential goods, days long queues to buy fuel and gas....

Thoughts of a lawyer in retrospect of a landmark judgement on Rajapaksa brothers

Following the historical judgement delivered by the country’s apex court on November 14 (2023)-citing who is responsible for the country’s economic crisis- a few countries have sought views from the Counsel who appeared for the petitioners, how to file such cases in order to take legal action against their own politicians who have ruined their respective economies. Presidents Counsel (PC) Upul Jayasuriya, who led the team of counsel on behalf of

Spotlight on Ratnapura District: Authorities backing mining activities on areas prone to landslides

Due to the prevailing heavy rainfall during the past few days, warnings of landslides have been issued in various parts of the island. They serve as precautionary measures to mitigate severe damages....

Destructive activities by bigwigs threaten Tissa Wewa

When this newspaper inquired from former Deputy Minister of Irrigation W.P.B Ekanayake whether he constructed a house near Bank of Tissa Wewa near the reserve area and whether the construction gets inundated during floods he responded by stating, “I didn’t build a house near the reserve. The house was made in 1968. At that time the water level of Tissa Wewa was quite low. Due to the construction activities in sacred land areas the water level in

Govt. helpless as mill owners dance the Samba

As of now the mill owners have been engaged in raising the price of paddy. Given the current drought and rainfall situation that prevail these individuals are not only attempting to raise the price of paddy, but are also trying to create the illusion of a paddy shortage. The former Director of Agriculture K.B. Gunaratne when contacted questioned the Government whether there is a shortage of paddy in the country. The per capita paddy consumption i

How irresponsible spending drains SLC coffers

While Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is toiling to return to its glorious match winning trend, members forming the ‘Cricket Board’ and handling cricket administration are accused of abusing their positions and milking the rich coffers of the controlling body for cricket to their own whims and fancies. With the release of the Auditor General’s (AG) report on SLC astonishing details have surfaced as to how the hierarchy forming the Cricket Board’s admini

Police sources reveal how falsified evidence was used to shame and tame Shani

Following the acquittal of former Director CID of all charges filed against him by the Colombo Crime Division, it has come to light how Sri Lanka Police blatantly harassed and penalised the Senior Police Officer who they believe is a threat to their masters- the rulers in power. Sri Lanka Police have come under severe criticism for framing baseless allegations against the most senior investigator in the Department who fearlessly investigated hig

Sand excavation at Nuwara Wewa produces environmental threat

Efforts are currently underway to haphazardly excavate soil from tanks in Anuradhapura to fill the playgrounds owned by the Anuradhapura Municipal Council. Anuradhapura Municipal Commissioer, Ruwan Wijesinghe, has been accused of destroying tanks to obtain soil without conducting any Environmental assessments. Nuwara Wewa, which belongs to a highly sensitive ecological zone, has recently become a site of unauthorised soil excavation. The water le

Spotlight on Kataragama Dewalaya deviating from God worship to land grab

The sacred Kataragama Devalaya is facing accusations of deforestation and land grabbing as farmers in the surrounding Meegaswewa area are being evicted from their cultivation lands. These lands are then...

Imports From Pakistan Unregistered company in maize business raises eyebrows

State Minister for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya stated in August that the government had reduced the import tax on a kilogram of maize by 50 rupees. The previous import duty for a kilogram of maize was 75 rupees. Consequently, the import duty on a kilogram of maize has now been lowered to 25 rupees.

Controversy surrounds establishing information management system

The involvement of a former State Minister of Health and an Additional Secretary Ministry of Health to introduce an ‘information management system’ to manage medical supplies to health institutions in the country....

Online loan scams which land institutions and individuals in trouble

These are days when online loan systems are in operation offering a quick and convenient solution to individuals to meet their financial needs. Various institutions provide these loans through online platforms, using diverse methods. There are many borrowers who faced difficulties due to these loans where daily interest rates are misrepresented as monthly rates and other misleading terms.When borrowers default on their payments, these lenders ta

Privatising Nuwara Eliya Racecourse: A case of changing horses in the middle of a race!

The Sugathadasa National Sports Complex Authority (SNSCA) alleges that Royal Turf Club (RTC) is yet to pay a sum of Rs. 40 million as maintenance dues over the past few years. The 82-acre expanse of land- located...

Playing politics with empty stomachs in Padiyathalawa!

Although it is raining heavily in most parts of Sri Lanka these days, there are still many districts that have not received any rain. Ampara district is one and the locals are awaiting the arrival of rain; hoping....

El Niño effect in Sri Lanka exposes negligence by officials

El Niño occurs approximately once every 7-10 years. The El Niño effect takes place globally due to shifts in equatorial current patterns. In this case, sea winds fail to cool the ocean’s surface, leading to warmer seawater. Consequently, the surface temperature of the earth experiences an increase. Many countries globally detect such conditions. Presently, Sri Lanka has experienced an El Niño effect. Despite being aware of this situation, Sri Lan

Controversial charcoal production venture causes stir in Thanamalwila

Charcoal production in a country could be a major source of energy, but it also stirs controversy as its association with deforestation and adverse environmental impacts. The charcoal from wood is produced by heating it at a high temperature in a closed space without oxygen; the process known as “Anaerobic Heating.” In this process, the wood becomes bone dry at 100°C, and a further rise in temperature to 300°C initiates pyrolysis. By doing

Proposed amendments to Ayurveda Act puts ‘traditional medicine under threat’

Traditional medicine practitioners have alleged that the government is attempting to hastily amend the Ayurveda Act No. 31 of 1961 with the expectation of gaining 28 million US Dollars. Traditional medicine....

Investigations leading investigators ‘nowhere’ at Dehiattakandiya National School

The Daily Mirror newspaper recently reported on the misdeeds occurring at the only Sinhalese National School in Dehiattakandiya Education Zone of Ampara District. It is also evident that, following the article’s publication, education authorities have given these issues at the school careful consideration. At present, the Ministry of Education has entrusted Duminda Peiris, Dehiattakandiya Zonal Director of Education, with the authority to alloc

Living unsafely in the heart of Colombo Condemned public housing schemes a living hell!

Many public housing schemes in Colombo were constructed after 1973 when Sri Lanka Communist Party politician Pieter Keuneman held a cabinet portfolio as Minister of Housing and Local Government. Some of the major public housing projects in Colombo include the Bambalapitiya Flats, Police Flats in Thimbirigasyaya, Anderson Gold Links (Narahenpita), Maligawatta and Soysapura. Although they were built to provide shelter to the lower income groups in

Associates of politicians aid scrap iron racket at Cement Corporation factory

In 1950, a cement factory was established in Kankesanturai under the Department of Industries. Over a period of time this cement factory was transformed into a public corporation and operated under the regulations outlined in the Government Sponsored Corporations Act No. 19 of 1955. Subsequently, it was named Kankesanturai Cement Works. Later on, under the Industrial Corporations Act No. 49 of 1957, it was renamed Ceylon Cement Corporation. Both

Purchasing of medicine: How Health Ministry initiated ploys to enjoy lofty commissions

The country’s health sector has recently witnessed allegations of massive corruption involved in the purchase of medicinal drugs and medical....

Spotlight on Dehiattakandiya National School Promoting a questionable college culture and a low Z Score

Dehiattakandiya National School is the sole Sinhalese National School in the Dehiattakandiya Education Zone, within Ampara District. This school is also known as a special school within the Ampara district. The Daily Mirror did a probe on the school based on information that was received recently. Our probe revealed that the reputation of Dehiattakandiya National School spreads far and wide into districts outside Ampara. There are many parents

Kidney Transplant Unit, Kandy National Hospital: Kidney patients in jeopardy due to fungal allergy

During the visit to the Kidney Transplant Unit of Kandy National Hospital, this writer learned that out of approximately 200 patients....

Latest audit reveals discrepancies at the National Lotteries Board

The 2021 National Lotteries Board (NLB) audit report has revealed several instances of wasting and misuse of funds. For example, the report reveals that the NLB has spent a sum of approximately Rs. 400 million to pay the rent for the respective building over the past 7 years.

Prominent monk’s actions stir outcry

A prominent Buddhist monk convicted of child sex abuse in the United Kingdom has attracted the ire of child rights defenders for his continued engagement with young children in Sri Lanka. A group of prominent....

Minister Ranasinghe’s associates grab Mahaweli land

It has been reported that the lands in the B, C, and H zones of Mahaweli are being distributed among associates of Mahaweli officials and politicians. This distribution is taking place despite the President’s ban on the distribution of Mahaweli lands being effective since November 11, 2022. It has come to light that nearly seven hundred plots of land, ranging from 10 to 20 perches and located in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts, have been d

Quartz mining licensees concerned about GSMB’s plans for the industry

Astonishing revelations have come to the fore as to how the Geological Surveys and Mines Bureau has unheeded cabinet decisions and the subsequent court ruling that ban the exporting of raw vein....