Rajapaksha Family getting ready for New year 2023

Mahinda Rajapaksa, the former Sri Lankan president and son Namal Rajapaksa, along with his grandchild, is getting ready to celebrate Sinhala New Year, one of the most important cultural festivals in Sri Lanka. The festival, which falls in mid-April, marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the new year according to the Sinhala calendar.

As part of the celebrations, Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family are preparing traditional sweets. These delicacies are a significant part of the Sinhala New Year celebrations, and families across Sri Lanka prepare them at home.

Meanwhile, Shiranthi Rajapaksa, the wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is cooking sweets at their residence.

Rajapaksha Family getting ready for New year 2023

Namal Rajapaksha's son Kesara’s first surf lesson

Namal Rajapaksa, the Sri Lankan parliamentarian and the son of the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, along with his family, visited the coastal town of Tangalle to indulge in some surfing. 

Tangalle is a popular surfing destination on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, known for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and consistent waves. 

 Namal Rajapaksa, an avid surfer himself, has been promoting the sport in Sri Lanka and has been instrumental in developing surfing infrastructure in the country. 

He is the founder of the Sri Lanka Surfing Federation, which aims to promote the sport and develop Sri Lanka into a surfing destination. His visit to Tangalle with his Wife Limni Rajapaksha and son kesara is a tto give his son Kesara first surfing lesson.

Namal joined by his wife and son Kesara, who also enjoyed the waves and the beautiful beach. The family was seen taking surfing lessons from local instructors and immersing themselves in the local culture.

Father and son from Sri Lanka drown in Queensland waterfall tragedy

A 21 year old Melbourne man who died at a popular waterfall in far north Queensland was trying to save his father from the treacherous waters when the pair drowned, devastated friends have revealed.  

Sisira Gajanayaka, 59, first got into trouble while swimming at Crystal Cascades, west of Cairns, on Tuesday afternoon. 

 The veteran bus driver who was migrated from Sri Lanka, was travelling with a group of 18 people from four different families when tragedy struck. 

 

His 21 year old son, Themi was trying to help save his father’s life when the pair drowned. The men were said to have been “struggling to get out of the water”, a police spokeswoman.

 

Bystanders called emergency services at about 5pm and a rescue operation was launched, but the men could not be found. Swift water rescue crews and two pump trucks were involved in the operation, before the men were found and pulled unresponsive from the water. 

 

Police said the pair were unable to be revived by paramedics and they were declared dead a “short time later”. Gajanayaka’s other son, Gomiya, was at the scene when the pair drowned and released a statement on Wednesday night, saying his dad “was the most selfless, amazing person” he has ever known. “He was always helping with community fundraisers and events and going out of his way to help those less fortunate. 

He loved his family and always wanted the best for us,” he said. Gomiya said his brother was “so beautiful and full of life” and said he was “a hero” for trying to save their father. “He lightened up everyone’s day and made us all laugh when we were down. I’m the luckiest person to have had him as a brother,” he said. “I’ll now look after my sister and mum for you just as I know you’ll look after dad for us.” 

 

More than 100 friends and family gathered to remember the pair on Wednesday, with loved ones telling Gajanayaka was a lovely friend who would do anything to help anyone. “I couldn’t breathe when I heard the news,” family friend said. 

 “Everybody has lost a very good friend, that’s all I can say. We’re not going to get him back again.” a friend said Themi would be remembered as “someone unique and unapologetically him”. “He would never fail to make us laugh or bring up our spirits in any moment,” he said. “We’ll miss him deeply.” 

The 21-year-old was said to be a talented musician and an avid Collingwood fan. “He tried to save his father, who was in an unfortunate situation while he was on holiday. He threw himself into a situation trying to save him,” friend added. “His heroic act in his final moment really epitomised him as a person.” The family and friends who were travelling with the pair have cut their holiday short and are flying back to Melbourne on Wednesday night. A report will be prepared for the coroner. The tragedy is not the first time visitors have ended up in trouble at the site. In 2020, a teenager needed to be rescued after slipping and falling from the waterfall. An 18-year-old man drowned there in 2014, having also reportedly slipped and fallen into the water.

Sanath Nandasiri has passed away

Veteran vocalist and musician 'Sangeeth Nipun' Professor Sanath Nandasiri has passed away at the age of 81. 

 The late Emeritus Professor Sangeeth Nipun Sanath Nandasiri was the Former Chancellor of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts in Sri Lanka. He was the the third Chancellor of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts, and as a veteran musician had served as a Head of the Department of the Institute of Aesthetic Studies and as the first Dean of the Faculty of Music of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts. 

 He was honoured with a honorary professorship as a tribute to his outstanding contribution to the field of creative music in Sri Lankan. Chairman of the Sri Lankan Musicians Guild Janaka Wickremesinghe told  that Sanath Nandasiri who was ill for a prolonged period, passed away at his residence. 

 He said the funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Dusheni De Silva's Latest photo shoot

Dusheni Silva is a well-known Sri Lankan actress and model. She is passionate about competing in pageants. Dusheni has drawn a lot of attention since she was named Miss World Sri Lanka 2017. Presently, she works as an actor in the TV show Paara Dige, which began airing in 2021.

Aliraja to buy state-owned shares in Telecom & Lanka Hospitals

It was reported that Lycamobile owner Subaskaran Aliraja, who has become the ultimate owner of three radio and television channels in Sri Lanka, has offered to buy state-owned shares in Sri Lanka Telecom PLC and Lanka Hospital PLC.

The Cabinet approved to sell the shares owned by the state in these two companies.

In a notification to the Colombo Stock Exchange, Sri Lanka Telecom PLC and Lanka Hospital PLC said that the sale of these shares will take place as recommended by the State Enterprise Reform Unit established under the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policy.

The Treasury holds 49.50% of the issued share capital of Sri Lanka Telecom PLC.

Meanwhile, 51.34% of the share capital of Lanka Hospital PLC is held by the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation on behalf of the State.

How Aliraja owned TV & Radio channels!

Aliraja is currently the owner of EAP Broadcasting Networks which operates two television channels including Swarnavahini and 3 radio channels. 

He also owns Sky Media Networks that operates two TV channels including Sitha TV and 3 Radio channels as well as Max Broadcasting Networks which operates one TV channel and radio channel each.

Although arrangements have been made to show this as a local investment, it is said that this is completely a foreign investment.

However, economists are of the opinion that Aliraja, who has made huge investments in the Indian film industry, taking over these media networks and telecom and communication networks will have a powerful impact on Sri Lanka’s national security and economy.

Swarnavahini deal

The media earlier reported how he invested money in Swarnavahini still remains a secret, and how he had credited the funds from an account which is not under his name to make the investment.

The State Intelligence Service informed the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) and the Ministry of Mass Media that several directors of the foreign company, which bought shares of the EAP Group of Companies including the ‘Swarnavahini’ media network which was facing a financial crisis, had maintained close connections with the LTTE.

The Ministry of Defence has informed the TRC and the Ministry of Mass Media on November 15, 2019 through letter number MOD / TEC / 01 / MGMR Network / 2019 (04).

A portion of the assets of EAP Group of Companies had been purchased for Ben Holdings Pvt Ltd.

How Subaskaran violated Companies Act

Today, this company has been able to indirectly obtain 60% ownership of Swarnavahini by violating the laws and regulations of Sri Lanka.

This is because Ben Holdings Private Company has bought 40% of shares while an individual by the name Alex Lowell has bought the remaining 20% of shares.

Meanwhile, 40% of the shares owned by Swarnamahal, EAP Films and other companies belonging to the EAP Business Group are owned by a Singaporean company, Blue Summit Capital.

It was revealed that three members of Ben Holdings Pvt. Ltd had direct links with the LTTE when the company was attempting to buy MGMR Networks owned by MGM Networks Pvt. Ltd.

Before buying a TV channel, the directors of the company that was making the purchase must obtain a clearance certificate from the Defence Ministry. Accordingly, this information was revealed when they were trying to get the relevant clearance certificate.

The directors were not required to obtain clearance certificates from the Defence Ministry when buying Swarnavahini since the license of the TV station was old.

It was revealed that  Subaskaran Aliraja, who was born in Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka and later moved to France and became a millionaire, has funded all parties including Ben Holdings Pvt. Ltd, Blue Summit Capital and Alex Lowell. 

He is said to be a strong financial supporter of the British Conservative Party and former Prime Minister John Major.

source : srilankamirror

CBSL warns general public over pyramid-type schemes in Sri Lanka

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has requested the Attorney General to consider instituting criminal proceedings against three pyramid-type prohibited schemes operating in the country.

Accordingly, the CBSL has carried out investigations to ascertain whether the entities Fast 3Cycle International (Pvt) Ltd (F3C), Sport Chain App, Sports Chain ZS Society Sri Lanka and the OnmaxDT have violated the provisions of 83C of the Banking Act. 

In relation to the examination conducted, the CBSL has determined that the three relevant entities and Directors, Founders and Promoters of those entities have conducted prohibited schemes in contravention of the provisions of the said act.

The CBSL had further notified the general public regarding the matter, in a special notice published in local newspapers.

Cabinet approval for divestment of govt’s stake in SLT & Lanka Hospitals

The Secretary to the Treasury has informed the Board of Directors of Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (SLT) and Lanka Hospitals PLC that the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval in principle for the divestment of the stakes held by the Treasury Secretary in the two companies. 

Accordingly, the Secretary to the Treasury has informed the Board of Directors of SLT and Lanka Hospitals that the Cabinet of Ministers has granted its approval in principle for the divestment of the stake held by the Treasury Secretary in the respective companies. 

The companies have announced that they have received the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to sell the shares owned by the government in Sri Lanka Telecom PLC and Lanka Hospital PLC, which are two companies listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), as per the policy decision of the government.

Notifying the Colombo Stock Exchange of this decision, Sri Lanka Telecom says that the divestiture will be implemented in the near future by the State-Owned Enterprise Restructuring Unit of established  under the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policy, subject to following the due process. Meanwhile, Ceylon Hospital PLC has also issued an announcement stating the same.

The Treasury holds a 49.50% stake of the issued share capital of Sri Lanka Telecom PLC.

Meanwhile, a 51.34% stake of the share capital of Lanka Hospital PLC is held by the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, representing the Government of Sri Lanka.

IMF Executive Board approves Sri Lanka’s program

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced that the IMF Executive Board approved Sri Lanka’s program under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). 

The program will allow Sri Lanka to access financing of up to US$ 7 billion from the IMF, International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and multilateral organizations.

This is a historic milestone for the country as the Government seeks to restore macroeconomic stability and achieve debt sustainability. 

Earlier this month, Sri Lanka received IMF-compatible financing assurances from its official creditors, including Paris Club members, India and China, allowing the IMF to convene an Executive Board and consider Sri Lanka’s request for a loan. 

The program is expected to provide much-needed policy space to drive the economy out of the unprecedented challenges and instill confidence amongst all the stakeholders.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed the announcement:

“In the 75 years of Sri Lanka’s independence, there has never been a more critical period for our economic future. Our official creditors have declared their support following continuous and positive engagements over the last few months, and we are pleased that the IMF Executive Board approved our program, enabling Sri Lanka to access up to US$ 7 billion in funding from the IMF and IFIs. From the very start, we committed to full transparency in all our discussions with financial institutions and with our creditors. I express my gratitude to the IMF and our international partners for their support as we look to get the economy back on track for the long term through prudent fiscal management and our ambitious reform agenda.

Since taking office last July, it has been my priority to stabilize Sri Lanka’s economy and achieve sustainable levels of debt. To do so, we have taken some tough decisions, but we did so with a commitment to widening our social safety nets, protecting the vulnerable, rooting out corruption and ensuring we can grow an inclusive and internationally attractive economy. The IMF program is critical to achieving this vision for our country, and we are committed to successfully completing the IMF program and achieving debt sustainability. We will continue to engage with all our creditors, and I encourage both our bilateral and commercial creditors to strengthen and foster coordination in the context of our forthcoming engagement. The IMF program will also be imperative to improving Sri Lanka’s standing in and access to international capital markets, and it will demonstrate that Sri Lanka is once again a country attractive to talent, investors and tourists.”