Police investigating money laundered through 13 banks via phantom imports, some traced to drug lords in Dubai Words by The Examiner Jiffry Mohamed transferred $716 million from Lankan banks claiming they were payments for imports. But Police found there were no imports. They linked 105 dummy companies to Mohamed, along with over 200 bank accounts. Read more →
Spotlight How the Metro bus drove through roadblocks to finally hit the road Words by The Examiner In the next few months Metro buses will go cashless, break out into the provinces, and become electric. After years of plans, not only are buses running, the authorities are planning to sign-up private players too. Read more →
El Niño will be diminished by Indian ocean dipole, heavy rains in October Words by The Examiner El Niño’s drying effects will be negated by heavy rain brought about by the Indian Ocean Dipole, say scientists. Drought isn’t expected till next year. An El Niño cabinet sub-committee is estimating impact to help with disaster preparations. Read more →
Why one judge didn’t find Pujith and Hemasiri guilty of murder Words by The Examiner Two judges found the former IGP and defence ministry secretary guilty of murder, because they didn’t act on intelligence. The other judge on the bench disagreed. He thought the intelligence wasn’t conclusive, investigations weren’t complete, and the IGP was obstructed from doing his duty. Read more →
Spotlight Judges’ retirement amendment by September says president’s office, critics fear government wants Surasena in and Kodagoda out Words by The Examiner As the Bar unanimously opposes extending judges’ terms, the government is doubling down on its constitutional amendment. The president’s office hopes to pass it by September. Lal Wijenayake, a top NPPer, understands they want “certain judges out and certain judges in.” Read more →
Clinics running out of TB and HIV meds, procurement delayed Words by The Examiner Despite knowing that Global Fund won’t be able to continue donating medicines, the Health Ministry’s failed to secure tuberculosis and HIV medicines. Without an alternative supplier in place, the island will run out of tuberculosis drugs in the next three weeks. Read more →
Constitutional Council throws out candidates for police and human rights commissions, starts again Words by The Examiner Two independent commissions — police and human rights — will be selected solely via applications rather than nominations. But the Constitutional Council was so dissatisfied with the pool, it called for fresh applications. Read more →
Spotlight Double checking email addresses could’ve stopped Treasury cyber-heist; $4.6 million still unaccounted for Words by The Examiner When a fairly amateur phishing attack targeted the Treasury’s new PDMO, they didn’t notice the glaring red flags. Even after India warned them, they sent another million dollars to a fraudulent bank account. Read more →
Spotlight No Negombo jailers killed; Welikada SWAT team beaten to death, prisoners shot Words by The Examiner When a fight between inmates on Sunday spiralled into the second deadliest prison riot in Sri Lankan history, 29 died. This includes eight guards brought to Negombo from Colombo, who didn't know the lay of the land. 14 of the bodies had bullets in them, but the STF denies shooting. Read more →
Spotlight Government mulls extending judges' terms, lawyers cry foul Words by The Examiner Some think the president favours the incumbent chief justice, Surasena, because he’s expediting high profile cases. The government says the idea to extend judges terms has nothing to do with personalities, its meant to retain expertise in the understaffed justice system. Read more →