6 January 2025 | Vol. 11, #1

Thinakkural: Ranil’s secret plan to eliminate Sajith’s Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) continues! He is accused of first eliminating Maithri’s party and then Mahinda’s party | Groups that threaten people in Jaffna! | Did the government attempt to prevent holding of a lecture on the IMF?

Thamilan: Provincial council elections, devolution of powers: Resolution passed at Communist Party of India (Marxist) state conference emphasising Sri Lanka | Ministers who demanded bribes: Two countries complain to the government | Case against five presidential candidates | Birth rate reduces | Tax evasion amounting to Rs. 50 billion in oil imports

Mawbima: Audit reveals that the government agency that issues air tickets has taken Rs. 120 million in excess from workers who went abroad | Objections against the acting Nilame; proceedings at the Ratnapura Maha Saman Devala halted

Aruna: The thevava (oblation) at the Saman Devala stopped due a a trustee being appointed in violation of tradition; officials walk out of the temple

Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only

Ministry of Power and Energy proposes to appoint a committee to review Adani projects

Thinakaran, Virakesari

The Ministry of Power and Energy has taken a decision to establish a committee to review the Adani Group’s energy projects in Sri Lanka. The ministry plans to present the proposal for this review at today’s (6th) cabinet meeting. According to the ministry, the committee will assess various factors, including the estimated costs of the projects. Previously, the ministry had appointed a committee to evaluate the wind power plant projects in Sri Lanka proposed by the Adani Group.

Ministers who demanded bribes; two countries complain to the government

Thinakaran, Thamilan

The ambassadors of South Korea and Australia have revealed that two former ministers demanded bribes from South Korean and Australian investors who were looking to invest in the country. This unethical demand led to the investors abandoning their plans and ultimately redirecting their investments to India and Vietnam. As a result, the ambassadors have formally lodged a complaint with Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, highlighting the negative impact on foreign investments due to these actions.

“Steps to implement the wages of plantation workers through the budget” – Krishnan Kalaiselvi

Thinakaran

Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) MP Krishnan Kalaichelvi claimed that measures will be taken to a significant extent to ensure the wage increase for plantation workers is included in the upcoming budget. She added that previous governments failed to address key issues such as education, infrastructure and healthcare. She emphasised that with its two-thirds majority, the government is committed to resolving these longstanding problems effectively.

Duminda, who was imprisoned for life in prison, in the hospital for over an year | “Duminda Silva has not been given any special facilities” – Prisons media spokesperson

Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Aruna

Dinamina reports, quoting Prisons Commissioner and Media Spokesperson of Prisons Gamini B. Dissanayake, that the director general of the Ministry of Health has appointed a medical board to investigate whether former MP Duminda Silva, who is currently being held in the prison hospital based on medical recommendations, needs further inpatient treatment.

Divaina, Ada and Aruna quoting Dissanayake state that no such special treatment has been given to the former MP.

“Do not be afraid of the Chinese virus” – Prof. Chandima Jeewandara

Divaina, Ada, Dinamina

Director of the Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura Professor Chandima Jeewandara stated that the HMPV virus is not something to be afraid of. Jeewandara, on his X account, noted that the new wave of respiratory infections in China is common in the winter. He added that this virus causes an increase in respiratory problems and that this virus is not a new virus or an epidemic threat.

201 vehicles and motorbikes belonging to the Southern Provincial Council missing

Dinamina

A report issued by the Auditor General’s Department revealed that it is not possible to verify the physical existence of 201 vehicles and motorcycles that were registered in the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) under the names of institutions of the Southern Provincial Council. Accordingly, among them are 178 vehicles and motorcycles registered in the (DMT) in the names of the institutions of the Southern Provincial Council and seven vehicles mentioned in the vehicle lists submitted by the institutions and four vehicles and motorcycles that were accounted for in the financial statements.

Remove all unnecessary modifications to vehicles before January 17; will exercise the law if found thereafter – The Traffic Police Unit

Divaina, Ada, Virakesari, Thinakaran

The Traffic Police Unit of Sri Lanka has granted a two-week grace period to remove illegal installations from vehicles, with a deadline set for January 17. This is one of the projects that has been launched under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative. The police have urged the removal of illegal modifications, including additional lights with varying tones or colors, loud horns and noisy exhausts, which contribute to hazardous driving conditions and accidents. This system will be strictly imposed and legal action will be taken against those who fail to adhere to this system.

“Marking of scholarship examination papers recommences” – Examinations commissioner

Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan

Commissioner of Examinations Amith Jayasundara stated yesterday (5th) that the marking of the Grade 5 Scholarship examination papers will resume day-after-tomorrow (8th), and that the evaluation of the papers of the GCE Advanced Level examination began on January 2. He added that the GCE A/L examination ended on December 31, 2024 and that the evaluation of the papers commenced on January 2, employing more than 1,000 panels.

Common priorities: Additional stories