Foreign media exposes Hambantota hospital construction money laundering corruption deals with Mahinda-Namal picture
 An investigation into a money laundering case involving an Australian medical company has revealed details of alleged corrupt dealings during the construction of the Hambantota General Hospital in Sri Lanka. Australia’s ABC Media Network has given a long description of this. The investigation is into allegations of corruption in a personal protective equipment contract with Australia’s Aspen Medical Company. The company is under investigation for money laundering in connection with the construction of the Hambantota District General Hospital in Sri Lanka. The company has received approval from the Australian Government for an $ 18.8 million project to provide equipment, infrastructure and services for the Hambantota District General Hospital. When inquired by the media persons who were investigating the matter, they refused to answer the question as to whether the medical supplies were made on behalf of the hospital. However, they said in a statement that the contract was awarded to a subcontractor. Aspen’s first transaction of $ 2.1 million in Sri Lanka with Sabre Vision Holdings, a British Virgin Islands-registered company.The transaction has come to the attention of the Sri Lanka Police. The company is owned by Nimal Perera of Sri Lanka and has close ties to the Rajapaksa family in Sri Lanka In 2016, he confessed that he had collected money on behalf of Namal Rajapaksa and as a result, Namal Rajapaksa was arrested. When questioned by Nimal Perera regarding the alleged fraudulent transactions that took place during the construction of the Hambantota Hospital, he had stated that the money was given to him by an Italian businessman. It was also stated that the identity could not be verified with the address or telephone numbers of the Italian businessman. When inquired about Sabre Vision Holdings, Nimal Perera has stated that he does not know about the company and that the company may be owned by his Italian friend. However, the police have confirmed that the company is owned by Nimal Perera. It has also been confirmed that the company received tens of thousands of dollars in connection with the corrupt AYA bus deal.
The economic crisis in Sri Lanka -The number of students coming to schools hungry is increasing
The Sri Lanka Association of Principals says that the number of students coming to schools hungry is increasing. Its chairman Sujeewa Wimalaratne points out that even school-based nutrition activities have come to a standstill. He said prices of books, shoes, and uniforms had risen by 200% and food prices had risen sharply. He added that some students had fainted and fallen to the ground during the school meeting in the morning and it was revealed that they had not taken breakfast. He said that previously there were four or five students in a class coming to school hungry, but now that number has increased. He added that the reason for this was the inability of parents to provide meals to their children due to the current economic crisis
One of the generators at the Norochcholai power plant has broken down
One of the generators at the Norochcholai power plant has broken down due to a technical fault. Of this, 270 MW will be added to the national grid. Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says that the Ceylon Electricity Board has already begun repairs. The board also said it would take five days to repair the fault and reinstall it. However, the situation can be managed by using thermal and hydropower plants which do not extend the current power cuts at that time, the Minister said.
The government has decided to import iron from India with a $ 1 billion loan for food
The government has decided to import iron ore from India with a $ 1 billion loan given to India to buy essential items including food, according to the Sunday Times. Of that billion, $ 250 million has already been spent, and the remaining $ 750 million will be used to import iron and steel. According to the report, economists are questioning the import of iron and steel when there is a huge shortage of essential food items, gas, fuel and other commodities in Sri Lanka and there are powerful government-linked businessmen behind the import of iron and steel from these loans. Negotiations are already underway with Indian banks to facilitate the import of these iron and steel.
Sri Lanka takes a challenging decision to import crude oil from Russia for a huge profit
It is reported that Sri Lanka is exploring the possibility of PTO fuel from Russia. The aim is to obtain cheaper fuel from Russia in order to keep the high cost of fuel imports low. The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has sought the advice of the Ministry of External Affairs regarding the sanctions currently imposed on Russia and the purchase of fuel from Russia. The Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that discussions were held with the Ministry to explore the possibility of purchasing fuel from Russia. The CPC has resorted to this because of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has made it possible to obtain Russian fuel at very low prices. However, it has been decided to proceed with this work on the recommendation of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Organically fertilized tea plantations are destroyed .. No leaves .. Only stink
Due to the absence of urea chemical fertilizer for tea cultivation for about a year, compost fertilizer was applied to the tea plantations but no sign of growth was seen in the tea plantations. Small tea farmers in the Balangoda area point out that compost manure is just a pile of decaying garbage. Due to the lack of chemical fertilizers, it took almost a year to apply compost or organic manure to the tea plantations, but it did not increase the yield or the growth of tea bushes, the tea estate owners said. Tea small tea state owners area points out that the situation could have worsened if the tea plantations had not been chemically fertilized for several months. They point out that they could not get even a return on the money spent on compost manure and that only the strong stench emanating from the compost manure remained.
Sri Lanka brought loan for dairy and animal products from New Zealand
New Zealand has agreed to provide a concessionary loan scheme for dairy and animal products to Sri Lanka. The agreement was reached during a meeting between the New Zealand High Commissioner and Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs Dinesh Gunawardena. The Minister said that the focus was on developing the economic and development relations between the two countries
Presidents message on Mayday – It’s better to provide immediate relief for people instead of searching for who caused the issue
President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has once again invited all political party leaders to reach an agreement on behalf of the people to overcome the existing challenges. It is issuing a message on the occasion of World Labor Day. The president urges working people to put politics aside for working people and join the struggle for a better direction with a pro-people revolutionary transformation. The President pointed out that instead of following up on who caused the devastation, what we need to do at this moment is to focus on what can be done to provide immediate relief to the people. The May Day message issued by the President stated that our goal is to find solutions to the existing crises by entering into solutions that can alleviate the suffering of the people every second. Meanwhile, the parties representing the government have been asked to submit proposals to form an all-party government as soon as possible. A senior government spokesman said the proposals were based on agreements reached during a meeting with the president. The spokesman said he would invite other parties to form an all-party government as soon as the proposals were received.
Today is May day
Rallies and demonstrations will be held in several cities including Colombo today (01) to commemorate May Day. Police said the rallies were organized by groups including major political parties and trade unions. However, the ruling party has not organized a May Day rally or a May Day rally this time. However, arrangements have been made to hold the May Day Rally of the Progressive Trade Union Center of the Sri Lanka People’s Front at the Ananda Samarakoon Outdoor Theater in Nugegoda.
Fuel transport bowser owners out of service from midnight today
The Ceylon Petroleum Private Tanker Owners’ Association has decided to withdraw from operations from midnight today (30) against the non-increase in transport prices in line with the increase in fuel prices. Its Joint Secretary Shantha Silva said that the discussion held yesterday with the Minister in charge of the subject had ended without a solution.