<ul><li> Ticket revenue fraud by employees blamed </li><li> UNDP help sought for electric bus charging stations </li></ul> The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) is losing approximately Rs 20 million every day due to ticket revenue fraud committed by some of its employees, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake told Parliament. Speaking in Parliament yesterday (22), he said the losses continued despite the Government increasing salaries, safeguarding employee rights and allocating public funds to purchase new buses. "We have increased salaries, protected employees' rights and allocated taxpayers' money to procure 800 buses. Despite all of that, some employees continue to defraud the SLTB by misappropriating ticket revenue. This amounts to about Rs 20 million a day," he said. He also claimed that officials linked to corruption are still serving within the State-owned bus operator. "There are still officials within the SLTB who are connected to various corrupt practices," he said. The SLTB has for many years faced allegations of corruption, financial mismanagement and operational inefficiencies. Successive Governments have introduced various reform measures aimed at improving the institution's financial performance and service standards.Meanwhile, the Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) said the Association is planning to establish electric bus charging stations with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) support, asserting that the lack of charging infrastructure is the major issue that they face in their planned initiative to bring electric buses. Speaking to The Daily Morning, LPBOA Chairperson Gemunu Wijeratne said that while plans are underway to import electric buses as a measure to grapple with surging diesel costs, the major challenge that they are encountering is the absence of charging spots to operate the proposed buses expected to be imported. He said that the Government is not being supportive in this regard and hence the Association is seeking external support. "We had discussions with the Government and the UNDP in this regard. The UNDP is helping us in the development of this project with funds but the Government is not supportive," he said. He also mentioned that the buses that will be retired from service due to the arrival of the new buses will be sent to rural areas, while the electric buses will be operating in urban areas. Following the Government's initiative to bring metro buses to the country, he criticised the project, and this move comes in the wake of fuel price hikes. However, the Association had announced plans to bring electric buses to the country in May, and for this initiative as well, they have sought UNDP support. The UNDP had earlier supported the Government to establish charging points. Rathnayake meanwhile said in Parliament that the Government is planning to completely transition the transport sector to metro buses by the year 2035. He also mentioned that they are inviting the private sector, municipal councils, and cooperatives to enter the industry.Attempts to contact Deputy Transport Minister, Dr Prasanna Gunasena proved futile.&nbsp;

Bus transport: SLTB losing Rs 20 m daily 

<ul><li> Devinuwara Vishnu Devalaya Basnayake Nilame accused of outsourcing Kavadi </li><li>His dual role in 2 Devalayas under fire </li><li> Security risk concerns raised for participants and spectators </li></ul> Organised crime elements have allegedly become involved in a dispute surrounding the forthcoming Devinuwara Vishnu Devalaya Esala Perahera after the Devalaya's Basnayake Nilame, Thilina Madushanka Abeyrathna allegedly delegated responsibility for organising the traditional Kavadi dance to an outside group.&nbsp;Further, concerns have been raised over his ability to fulfil ceremonial duties at both the Devinuwara Vishnu Devalaya and the Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya. Speaking to The Daily Morning, informed sources claimed that Abeyrathna lacks adequate knowledge of the Devalaya's traditions and the legal framework governing temple properties, including the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance (Vihara Devalagam Act), and has attempted to treat Devalaya property as though it were for personal use. They said that organising every aspect of the annual perahera, including the management of all participating groups, is traditionally the responsibility of both the Devalaya and the Basnayake Nilame.&nbsp;However, they alleged that instead of carrying out that responsibility, Abeyrathna had instructed a group of residents of a nearby village to establish an association and organise the Kavadi dancers, transferring his responsibilities to an external party. According to the sources, this has now led to tensions between two separate groups claiming the right to perform the Kavadi dance, with reports suggesting that organised criminal elements have begun intervening in the dispute. "Had Abeyrathna and the Devalaya properly organised the perahera, this situation would not have arisen. By handing over this responsibility to an outside party, a serious security risk has now been created," one source said. They warned that if any incident is to occur during the perahera, not only the participants but also spectators could be placed at risk. The sources also questioned how the same individual could properly perform the duties of the Basnayake Nilame at both the Kataragama Esala Perahera, since 15 July till 29 July, and the Devinuwara Vishnu Devalaya Esala Perahera, which will be held from today (23) to 29 July. They pointed out that, under the traditions of the Devinuwara Vishnu Devalaya, the Basnayake Nilame is required to accompany the procession on all seven days of the perahera. The Basnayake Nilame is also expected to participate in the Kataragama Esala Perahera. As the same individual serves as the Basnayake Nilame and the custodian of both the Devalayas, the sources alleged that it is practically impossible for him to fulfil both ceremonial obligations simultaneously. They further maintained that the traditions of the Devinuwara Vishnu Devalaya do not permit another representative to participate in the procession in place of the Basnayake Nilame and that, without the approval of the Buddhist Affairs Commissioner General (CG), there is no legal authority for another individual to perform those duties even under special circumstances. According to the sources, there is no indication that the Basnayake Nilame has informed the Buddhist Affairs CG of any such arrangement. Multiple attempts to contact the Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, the Deputy subject Minister Gamagedara Dissanayake, Abeyrathna, and the Buddhist Affairs CG Gamini Senaratne proved futile.&nbsp;Meanwhile, a shooting at a house near the Dewundara Devalaya in Matara is suspected to have been connected to a dispute between two organised criminal figures over the annual Dewundara Devalaya Perahera. Investigating officers suspect that the shooting was carried out by a group linked to an organised crime figure known as "Dehi Bale Malli". The shooting follows alleged death threats issued on Monday (20) against Abeyrathna, over a decision to reduce the number of ‘Kavadi dance’ groups participating in the annual procession. The threats were reportedly made using the alias “KPI”, a name associated with the organised crime figure “Kanjipani Imran”. Following the threats, an audio recording allegedly containing death threats made by “Dehi Bale Malli” against “Kanjipani Imran” was circulated on social media. A second audio recording was later released. An unidentified gunman who arrived in a car opened fire at a house located approximately 200 metres from the Devalaya on Tuesday night (21). The shooting was captured on a nearby closed circuit television camera. Following the incident, another audio recording allegedly released in the name of “Dehi Bale Malli” was circulated on social media.&nbsp;

Organised crime infiltrates Devalaya procession?

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) is evaluating a proposal to introduce a dengue vaccine in Sri Lanka, but the vaccine will not provide a solution to the country's current dengue outbreak, NMRA Chairperson Dr Ananda Wijewickrama said.Speaking to The Daily Morning, Dr Wijewickrama yesterday (22) confirmed that a proposal to use a dengue vaccine in Sri Lanka had been submitted and that an expert committee had been appointed to assess it. "There is a proposal, and a committee has been appointed to evaluate it. The committee is currently carrying out that evaluation," he said.However, Dr Wijewickrama stressed that the public should not view the vaccine as an immediate solution to the current surge in dengue cases. "The main thing is that this vaccine will not provide a solution to the current dengue outbreak," he said. He also expressed concern that public attention is being diverted away from the immediate measures needed to control dengue, noting that the focus on the vaccine could create unrealistic expectations. "Because of this issue, the media is shifting people's attention away from the main problem. People may begin to think that once the vaccine arrives, everything will be fine. That is the impression being created by some media reports," he said.Emphasising the importance of vector control, Dr Wijewickrama urged greater attention to environmental measures to reduce mosquito breeding. "Have you ever asked whether all the garbage in Colombo has been cleared? If it hasn’t, why not? What measures are being taken to deal with that? Those are the kind of questions that should also be asked," he said, underscoring the need to continue focusing on source reduction and environmental management alongside any consideration of future vaccination.Efforts made to contact the Deputy Director General of the Medical Supplies Division proved futile. According to foreign media, India has also developed its own indigenous dengue vaccine, DengiAll. The live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine, designed to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes, is currently undergoing Phase III clinical trials in India to evaluate its safety and effectiveness before it can be considered for wider use.The NaDSys Surveillance system of the National Dengue Control Unit noted that the number of dengue cases in the country had shot up to 78,125 with the dengue death toll reaching 56 by Tuesday midnight (21). &nbsp;

NMRA expert committee evaluating dengue vaccine 

The Agriculture Ministry is holding discussions at the moment to commence Maha season cultivation two weeks earlier than usual as a strategy to cope with the upcoming El Niño conditions. When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (22), Deputy Agriculture Minister Namal Karunarathne said that officials have already identified this as an appropriate method and are continuing discussions with other relevant parties before final confirmation. “With this approach, the necessity of supplying fertiliser and water at the correct time also arises. Hence, discussions are being held with the relevant departments and parties to issue those facilities earlier as well,” he said.When queried as to whether there is any particular rice variety that farmers are encouraged to grow in view of El Niño, he said that since the Maha season traditionally involves cultivating paddy varieties that take a longer period, this season they are encouraging farmers to opt for paddy with a short life cycle. "We are discussing with the experts in the sector to see what are the most appropriate rice varieties to grow," he said.El Niño was predicted by the Meteorology Department at the beginning of last month (June), and it has forecast a mix of droughts and floods in the upcoming months. The Government's initiative comes amidst these data and calculations.Attempts to contact the Director General of the Irrigation Department, engineer Dr. K. Weligepolage, regarding the availability of water resources and water plans for the Maha season, proved futile.&nbsp;

Talks on commencing Maha cultivation two weeks early 

<ul><li>CEA had reminded management as recently as 2 July</li></ul> The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) revealed that the factory in the Katuwana Industrial Zone, Homagama, where a deadly fire broke out, had not renewed its Environmental Protection License (EPL) after 2024 and had failed to prepare an emergency response plan. The CEA confirmed that the factory, which began operations in 2010, had not obtained an updated EPL since 2024. According to the CEA, the factory’s failure to meet licensing requirements was linked to several factors, including the storage and use of chemicals such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which can release hazardous chemical compounds harmful to human health when exposed to fire. A CEA official said that the factory had also failed to submit mandatory documents required for licensing, including noise and air quality assessment reports and a waste disposal management report. The CEA further stated that the company had not prepared a proper emergency response plan to deal with potential disasters. The factory management had been repeatedly informed to fulfill the necessary requirements and obtain the EPL, with the latest reminder issued on 2 July, officials said. The revelations were made after a major fire at a safety helmet manufacturing factory in the Katuwana Industrial Zone, which claimed the lives of five people. More than 80 employees were reportedly inside the factory when the fire broke out at around 9.50 a.m. on Tuesday (21). The fire quickly spread through the facility, sending thick black smoke across the surrounding area. Firefighting units from the Colombo, Kotte, and Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Councils, along with the Horana Urban Council and the Air Force, were deployed to battle the flames. Firefighters brought the blaze under control after several hours of operations. Preliminary Police investigations have indicated that an electrical leak from a fan used to cool the factory’s interior may have caused the fire. Authorities also found that large quantities of PVC and other chemicals used in the manufacture of safety helmets had been stored inside the factory at the time of the incident. Crime scene officers and Homagama Acting Magistrate Roshan Kuruppuarachchi later inspected the site. Kuruppuarachchi and Police officers accessed the upper floor of the factory, where the victims were found, using a boom truck. Meanwhile, Deputy Labour Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe has instructed Labour Department officials to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident and submit a report. The investigation will focus on the cause of the fire, the factory’s fire safety and occupational health standards, employee safety measures, and emergency evacuation procedures.

Deadly Katuwana factory fire: Factory had no updated EPL, emergency plan

The Court of Appeal (CA) was informed on Tuesday (21) that although the former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay had made extensive presentations to the Security Council in 2016 on the growing threat of Islamic extremism and Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) ideology in Sri Lanka, a senior member of the Council had objected to those submissions. The claim was made during the hearing of a writ petition filed by Sallay challenging his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act in connection with investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.Submissions from the petitioner’s side, which continued for seven days, were concluded on Tuesday before a bench comprising the CA’s President, Justice and President’s Counsel (PC) Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice K. Priyantha Fernando. Appearing for Sallay, Sanjeewa Jayawardena PC told Court that his client, while serving as the Director of the Army Intelligence Directorate in 2016, had alerted the Council about the spread of ISIS ideology in Sri Lanka and had proposed measures to counter Islamic extremism. The counsel said that the Army Intelligence Directorate had investigated a Sri Lankan national linked to ISIS who was killed in an air strike in Syria. Following that investigation, Sallay had prepared a “concept paper” outlining measures to combat Islamic extremism and had proposed establishing a task force to address the issue. According to the submissions, these recommendations had been presented to the then Defence Ministry Secretary K Hettiarachchi. However, a senior individual on the Council had expressed dissatisfaction with Sallay’s warnings regarding Islamic extremism. The counsel further stated that the matter had been referred to in evidence given before the Justice Janak de Silva Commission by former Army Commander, General Crishanthe de Silva, who had indicated that the response within the Council had affected the progress of the measures proposed by Sallay. He also claimed that Sallay was removed from the Army Intelligence Directorate and appointed to a diplomatic posting in Malaysia about two months later due to political reasons. Questioning the allegations against his client, Jayawardena PC told Court that an individual who had raised concerns about Islamic extremism could not be described as the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday attacks. He further questioned how the threat of extremism could be addressed if Intelligence officers involved in investigating such activities were themselves being remanded. The counsel also criticised the manner in which the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) obtained a statement from asylum seeker Azad Maulana, claiming that CID officers had travelled to France and recorded his statement at the Sri Lankan Embassy premises. He alleged that Maulana, who is seeking political asylum, had made statements critical of the Sri Lankan Judiciary and questioned how a statement from such a person could be relied upon in the investigation. The counsel also rejected Maulana’s allegation that Sallay met a group linked to Easter attacks bomber Zahran Hashim in Wanathawilluwa in February 2018, stating that Sallay was not in Sri Lanka at the time. Referring to evidence submitted before the Supreme Court, Jayawardena said that former SIS Director Nilantha Jayawardena had stated in an affidavit that he had sent a WhatsApp message regarding the planned Easter Sunday attacks to the then Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police and incumbent Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne on the evening before the attacks. He also claimed that Seneviratne had informed the de Silva Commission that the CID was aware of the extremist activities of Hashim and his followers, and questioned why preventive action was not taken. The PC further argued that Sallay’s personal background contradicted allegations that he was involved in attacks against Christian places of worship. He told Court that Sallay’s mother was a Christian, that she had attended a church in Nugegoda on the day of the Easter Sunday attacks, and that Sallay himself regularly attended the Saint Anthony’s Church with his mother.Following the conclusion of the petitioner’s submissions, Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath Jayaweera, appearing for the Attorney General, informed Court that preliminary objections would be raised against the petition. The Court directed that those objections be submitted on 27 July.

CA informed: Sallay’s alerts objected to by Security Council member 

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court (MC) granted permission for the Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) to detain and interrogate the son of former State Minister Shantha Bandara for 24 hours in connection with the alleged robbery of Rs 20 million belonging to a Chinese national.Also, the Colombo Fort MC yesterday (22) issued a warrant for the arrest of the former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the US, Jaliya Wickramasuriya, who has been named as a suspect in a case involving the alleged misappropriation of Government funds and has failed to appear before Court. Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena also directed the Criminal Investigation Department to seek the Attorney General's instructions regarding the case and report progress to the Court on 9 December.Meanwhile, former Navy Commander, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne has been granted bail by the Colombo Fort MC after appearing as a suspect in a case alleging that he aided a suspect to evade arrest in connection with the 2008 abduction and disappearance of 11 youths in Colombo and its suburbs. Wijegunaratne appeared before the Court in compliance with a notice previously issued by the Court. When the charges were presented, Wijegunaratne pleaded not guilty. Magistrate Amarasena then ordered that Wijegunaratne be released on two surety bails of Rs one million each. The Magistrate further directed that the case be taken up again on 9 December for trial proceedings.The Attorney General (AG) yesterday raised objections before the Supreme Court (SC) to a request made by counsel representing the son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, seeking an order to prevent the Colombo High Court (HC) from proceeding with the trial against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The objection was raised by Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, appearing on behalf of the AG, when the appeal filed by Rajapaksa was taken up for consideration before the SC yesterday.Former private secretary to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, political activist Sugeeshwara Bandara, has been further remanded until 30 July after being produced before the Colombo Fort MC. Bandara was arrested on 18 June in connection with an ongoing investigation into allegations that he had drawn salaries from two Government institutions, thereby misappropriating State funds. Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption Committee of the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry had lodged a complaint with the CCIB regarding an alleged financial irregularity under the President’s Expenditure Head. Investigations subsequently revealed that Bandara had served as the private secretary to Rajapaksa in 2022 while also holding the post of Project Director at the Presidential Secretariat during the same period. Based on these findings, he was arrested in the Kollupitiya area on charges of receiving salaries for two positions concurrently under the President’s Expenditure Head.

Ex-State Minister’s son detained over Rs 20 m robbery 

Police have seized more than 300 illegally imported smartphones, including the latest iPhone models, with an estimated value of about Rs 50 million, during a raid conducted by the Walana Anti-Vice Squad at a shop in Liberty Plaza, Kollupitiya. A suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure. The stock of smartphones, which had been illegally imported into the country, was discovered in a basement storage facility of a shop located at Liberty Plaza.

 300 smartphones worth Rs 50 m seized

The Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities held discussions with the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche&nbsp;&nbsp;and representatives of several UN agencies at Parliament with a view to strengthening cooperation in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and advancing disability-inclusive legislation and policies. The meeting was held under the Chairpersonship of the Caucus, Sugath Wasantha de Silva recently. Addressing the meeting, Franche emphasised the importance of treating disability inclusion as a national priority across all sectors. The UN Children’s Fund Representative, Begoña Arellano highlighted the need to safeguard the rights of children with disabilities, particularly in relation to health, nutrition and education, while emphasising the important oversight role of Parliament in ensuring the effective implementation of disability-inclusive policies.The Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Minister Dr Upali Pannilage informed that the proposed Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill and the Sign Language Bill are currently with the Attorney General's (AG) Department and are expected to be presented to Parliament in September. He further stated that measures are underway to improve accessibility in public institutions, expand employment opportunities, introduce educational grants for university students with disabilities and establish 10 day-care centres for children with disabilities within this year (2026).The Caucus also discussed future initiatives, including the preparation of disability-inclusive budget proposals by Ministries, the finalisation of a national disability database and the conduct of a sensitisation programme for journalists to promote a rights-based approach to disability-related reporting.&nbsp;

Bus transport: SLTB losing Rs 20 m daily

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CA informed: Sallay’s alerts o ...

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300 smartphones worth Rs 50 m ...

Disabled Persons Rights and Sign Language Bills with AG

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Organised crime infiltrates De ...

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NMRA expert committee evaluati ...

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Talks on commencing Maha culti ...

Deadly Katuwana factory fire: Factory had no updated EPL, emergency pl ...

Deadly Katuwana factory fire: ...

CA informed: Sallay’s alerts objected to by Security Council member

CA informed: Sallay’s alerts o ...

Ex-State Minister’s son detained over Rs 20 m robbery

Ex-State Minister’s son detain ...

300 smartphones worth Rs 50 m seized

300 smartphones worth Rs 50 m ...

Disabled Persons Rights and Sign Language Bills with AG

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