7 October 2024 | Vol. 10, #181

Mawbima: The director board meetings of all state institutions halted on the orders of the PM | The teledrama actor caught in Thanamalwila with ice, detained and questioned; he has attempted to secure his release by offering [a bribe of] one million [rupees] to the police

Dinamina: “Will come to your places of residence if the taxes are not paid” – The commissioner general of the IRD | “Will expedite the investigations and bring justice to the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks” – The president assures in Katuwapitiya

Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only

A change in the top posts of the State Intelligence Service; Priyantha appointed in place of Sallay; accusations for not preventing the Easter Sunday attacks were also levelled at Sallay

Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Dhammika Priyantha was appointed as the new director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS). He was appointed following the retirement of Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay.

While Lankadeepa and Dinamina report that Sallay retired from service, Aruna reports that President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka took steps to enforce Sallay’s retirement. Divaina and Mawbima state that Sallay was removed from the position while Ada states that Sallay had been granted a service extension by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe until December 2024. Divaina, in its headline, highlighted that Sallay had also been accused of not preventing the Easter Sunday attacks that occurred in April, 2019.

307 removed from Ranil’s security detail: “No one for protection” – Ranil states

Lankadeepa, Aruna

It is reported that 307 (mentioned as 333 on Aruna) security personnel who were in charge of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s security on a permanent basis and 24 who were working on a temporary basis, have been transferred to police stations in various parts of the country with effect from today (7th). Additionally, it was highlighted  Wickremesinghe’s personal security had also been removed. Commenting on the issue, Lankadeepa features Wickremesinghe stating that there was no one left for his protection.

All minor complaints that have been stacking up in police stations to be heard in two weeks

Aruna

Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya has ordered all officers In charge (OICs) of police stations islandwide to investigate and finalise within two weeks all the minor complaints filed at the police stations so far. Weerasooriya added that the order was given due to the accumulation of thousands of minor complaints that have been reported to police stations around the country.

“Will expedite the investigations and bring justice to the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks” – The president assures in Katuwapitiya

Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thinakaran, Thamilan

President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka assured that justice will be delivered to the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks that took place in April 2019. Dissanayaka assured that the investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks will be expedited and that steps will be taken to ensure that such a tragedy never occurs again in the country. The president made these remarks during a discussion held at St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, Negombo, yesterday (6th) with the families of those who fell victim to the Easter Sunday attacks. Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith expressed his trust in Dissanayaka, acknowledging the trust the people of Sri Lanka have in him and appreciating his integrity. The cardinal added that he believes the president will deliver on his promise of justice and that he will take action to hold to account those responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks. 

The import tax for potatoes and big onions increased to save the [local] farmer 

Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan

The Ministry of Finance announced that the government has implemented measures to increase the special import tax on potatoes from Rs. 50 to Rs. 60. Accordingly, the special import tax on potatoes has been increased by Rs. 10 per kilogram while the special import tax on one kilogram of big onions has been raised by Rs. 20. 

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