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Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Earning Rs. 220 million (sic) in two years through drugs: ‘Wele Suda’, his wife and cousin sister imprisoned; two luxury houses in Colombo Residencies; two luxury houses in Rajagiriya Millenium City; two luxury houses in Colombo 7; two luxury houses in Colombo city; three luxury vehicles – a BMW, Prado, Discovery; bank accounts worth Rs. 20 million; three and a half kilos of gold confiscated | President Anura meets the Chinese president; “Ready to join Sri Lanka in a new era of development” – Chinese president Divaina: ‘Wele Suda’, wife and cousin sister imprisoned for eight years; a fine of Rs. 160 million; four luxury houses, four luxury vehicles and three and a half kilos of gold confiscated | “We love Sri Lanka: Ready to join Sri Lanka in a new era of development” – Chinese president; the leaders of the two countries meet Ada: AKD-Xi meet: Two countries also signed bilateral agreements related to the economic, social and industrial sectors | Earning Rs. 170 million in two years through drug smuggling: ‘Wele Suda’, wife and cousin sister imprisoned for eight years; a fine of Rs. 215 million (sic) imposed; cash, eight luxury houses, four luxury vehicles and gold worth Rs. 170 million confiscated |
Mawbima: Who purchased 200 tickets at once?; “Train tickets sold out within 42 seconds of being released on the internet” – Deputy minister of transport and highways reveals | ‘Wele Suda’, wife and cousin sister sentenced to prison for eight years and fined Rs. 160 million; valuable properties, vehicles and gold confiscated | Pictorial: Chinese military escorts Sri Lankan president Dinamina: A warm welcome to President Anura: “China will assist a new era of development” – says President Xi Jinping; Numerous economic, social and industrial agreements signed; bilateral discussions begin Aruna: Several CID investigations: Ella Odyssey tickets sold out in 42 seconds, complaint lodged about fraud; “Investigate journalists who receive wages from pharmaceutical companies” – a complaint from the deputy minister of media; investigations into Manusha [Nanayakkara] regarding the E8 visa issue | “We stand for one China” – President Anura says in China Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
President Anura meets the Chinese president: “China will assist to usher in a new era of development” – says President Xi Jinping; several bilateral MoUs related to the economic, social and industrial sectors signed
Ada, Aruna, Dinamina, Divaina, Lankadeepa, Mawbima
An official meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, currently on a four-day state visit to China, took place yesterday (15th) at the Great Hall of the People in China. During the meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasised that China is ready to work with Sri Lanka to usher in a new era of development. President Jinping also recalled the longstanding relationship between China and Sri Lanka as close friendly nations. He stated that China is prepared to continue working in cooperation with Sri Lanka in the future.
Aruna and Dinamina report that President Dissanayake reaffirmed that the Sri Lankan government will stand firm regarding the One China policy in all bilateral and multilateral forums. He also highlighted the Chinese government’s significant contribution to Sri Lanka’s social and economic development over several decades and expressed hope that this visit would further strengthen multilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations.
Following the official meeting, several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) related to the economic, social and industrial sectors were signed between the two countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake and the government’s Director General of Information H.S.K.J. Bandara were also present at the occasion.
‘Wele Suda’, wife and cousin sister imprisoned for eight years
Ada, Dinamina, Divaina, Lankadeepa, Mawbima The Colombo High Court yesterday (15th) sentenced Samantha Kumara Vidana, alias ‘Wele Suda’, a large-scale drug trafficker who is currently serving a death sentence, his wife and a cousin sister to eight years of imprisonment for owning assets worth approximately Rs. 170 million, purchased with money earned through heroin trafficking. Additionally, ‘Wele Suda’ was fined Rs. 179 million, and if the fine is not paid, an additional 48 years of simple imprisonment will be imposed. The court further ordered the confiscation of assets including gold jewellery, motor vehicles, luxury houses and bank deposits worth Rs. 162.5 million. This marks the case as the highest-value asset confiscation under a money laundering charge in Sri Lanka. Several other cases on similar charges against the relatives of ‘Wele Suda’ are currently being heard in court. |
“Ella Odyssey train e-tickets sold out in 42 seconds” – Deputy minister of transport reveals | “Police investigation needed into ticket resale racket at Kandy railway station” – MP Thanura Dissanayake
Aruna, Dinamina, Divaina, Mawbima Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasekara stated that a large-scale racket seems to be operating behind the scenes of the e-ticket sales for the Ella Odyssey train route, which is a popular attraction among foreign tourists. Speaking at the Kandy District Coordination Committee meeting held yesterday (15th) at the Kandy District Secretariat auditorium, he revealed that the e-tickets were sold out within 42 seconds of being released online. He further mentioned that the racket operates primarily around the Colombo Fort, Kandy and Ella railway stations with the assistance of individuals who park three-wheelers near the railway premises. Divaina reports that MP Thanura Dissanayake, who was present at the meeting, stated that he has received information about individuals involved in a racket of reselling train tickets at inflated prices at the Kandy railway station, targeting foreign tourists. Deputy Minister Gunasekara further revealed that a complaint regarding the ticket racket has been lodged with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). |
No removal of legally installed parts on three-wheelers – Police headquartersAda, Divaina, Mawbima It was announced that legally installed parts on three-wheelers will not be removed in a discussion held yesterday (15th) at the police headquarters between representatives of the Sri Lanka Three-Wheeler Accessories Manufacturers and Sellers Association and the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP). However, a three-month grace period has been provided to voluntarily remove parts that could be hazardous. According to Gazette Notification No. 22/40//37 issued in 2021, additional parts installed in compliance with the legal framework and regulations will not be subject to removal. The acting IGP further assured the representatives that the police would not, under any circumstances, take actions that would lead to the loss of jobs for three-wheeler accessory manufacturers and sellers. |
Container traffic continues in Colombo Port; Deputy minister of ports and civil aviation visits the Orugodawatte yardAruna, Lankadeepa The Container Transport Owners Association (CTOA) alleged that container clearance operations at the Colombo Port had still not been restored to normal as of yesterday (15th). It claimed that some containers have been parked along both sides of the roads near the Orugodawatte container yard for about a week. The CTOA revealed that around 800 to 1,000 containers still remain uncleared. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku conducted an unannounced inspection of the Orugodawatte Rank Container Terminal (RCT) yard yesterday. During his visit he instructed officials to coordinate with other relevant parties to expedite the clearance process promptly. He emphasised the need for a sustainable plan for cargo clearance, warning that if such measures are not implemented similar issues could arise again in about a week. The deputy minister noted that the chronic congestion at the Colombo Port is due to insufficient capacity, and stated that the issue will not be fully resolved until the completion of the East Terminal. |
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