The International Federation of Investigative Journalists identified 93 names of Sri Lankans
The names of 93 Sri Lankans have been identified by the International Federation of Investigative Journalists. . On several occasions those names appear in the Panama Papers, the Ofhos Papers, the Bahamas Papers and the Paradise Papers.
A strong earthquake has shaken the Balochistan province of Pakistan
A strong earthquake has shaken the Balochistan province of Pakistan this morning. At least 20 people have been reported dead and the death toll could rise further, disaster management officials said. The epicenter was reported at 5.7 on the Richter scale. Buildings in the area collapsed, killing people, reporters said. Another 150 people were injured in the quake, some of them in critical condition.
President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has called for an immediate investigation on Sri Lankans in pandora papers
President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has called for an immediate inquiry into the transactions of Sri Lankans in the pandora papers, which has caused a great deal of controversy around the world. Presidential Spokesman Kingsley Ratnayake stated that the President has also issued this order at the Bribery or Corruption Commission this morning. Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dullas Alahapperuma stated that the President has ordered that the relevant investigation report be submitted within a month.
An island-wide protests will be held today- The Teachers Trade Unions
The Teachers Trade Unions state that protests will be held island-wide today when Teachers Day falls. Although the government has made arrangements to start schools, the trade union representatives say that they are not ready to teach in schools. The General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers Union Joseph Stalin states that a series of protests have been organized throughout Sri Lanka today over the failure to resolve the issue of teachers’ salaries. He also said that at present the profession takes eighty-seven days to today.
I have no intention of entering politics- Rohitha Rajapaksa
 Rohitha Rajapaksa, the son of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, has stated that he has no intention of entering politics. He also said that he was only working to fulfill the promises made by his father to the people during the election campaign in Kurunegala. He has also stated that he rejects reports that he will contest for the post of Chief Minister in the forthcoming North Western Provincial Council election. He said that although he was not involved in politics, he was involved in social projects for the benefit of the people. He further stated that he is invited to get good intentions and not with the intention of getting votes
Former presidents would also be responsible for the fraud had revealed by pandora papers
Minister of State Shehan Semasinghe has stated that Pandora’s Newspapers revealed earnings for the period 1990-2000. At the time of the allegations, JR Jayewardene, R. Pedramadasa, DB Wijetunga and Chandrika Kumaratunga were the Presidents of this country, he said He said that if such a fraud had taken place at that time, then the former presidents would also be responsible for it and added that Mahinda Rajapaksa became the President in 2005. He said this during a debate in Parliament.
Nirupama Rajapaksa has bought a house in Australia in a luxury housing complex
According to international media reports Former Deputy Minister Nirupama Rajapaksa and her husband have bought a house in Australia in a luxury housing complex. The ABC reports that they tried to contact them but did pandora. According to the report, they have been accused of financial misconduct in 2016 by Panadora Papers, but they have denied it. The case is set to return to court in November this year, the report said.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and other seniors have drawn attention to the revelation of the Panadora pappers
Media reports that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and other seniors have drawn attention to the revelation of the Panadora pappers which has been leveled against former Minister Nirupama Rajapaksa and her husband over hidden assets. Accordingly, the issue will be discussed this week, the report said. The report also states that no one in the government will immediately respond to this request. However, no one in the Rajapaksa family knew about Nirupama Rajapaksa’s husband’s business dealings, the media reported.
The rejection of the stock of fertilizer to be imported from the Chinese company could jeopardize the friendship between Sri Lanka and China- The Chinese Ambassador
It is revealed that the Chinese Ambassador has sent a letter to the Minister of Agriculture stating that the rejection of the stock of fertilizer to be imported from the Chinese company could jeopardize the friendship between Sri Lanka and China. The letter mentioned the factors that led to the rejection of the fertilizer stock and how such activities could jeopardize the friendship between the two countries. The letter also called on the two countries to work together to maintain trust. Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said he had replied to a letter from the Chinese embassy. The Minister also said that the letter sent to the Chinese Embassy on the technical issues that led to the rejection of the fertilizer samples to be imported from the Chinese company was tested. However, the Ministry of Agriculture has taken steps to import and test another fertilizer sample from a Chinese company.
A garlic fraud had taken place at the sathosa – Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena
Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena has sincerely acknowledged that a garlic fraud had taken place at the sathosa. The Minister was responding to a question raised by the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa in Parliament. He also said that the bids were obtained illegally outside the tender procedure in the relevant transaction and that he hoped to present the information to Parliament. The Minister said that the purchases were made outside the proper procedure but the Chairman and the Executive Officer had not gone for these activities.