Talangama Police said that two people arrested the day before yesterday (07) have been remanded in connection with an incident in which a driver allegedly sold a consignment of activity books and textbooks worth more than Rs. 800,000 to a scrap dealer instead of delivering them to the distribution centres.

The books were intended for Grade 1 Tamil pupils in schools in the Eastern Province for the third term.

Those arrested are an Assistant Manager for the Eastern Province of the Department of Educational Publications and the General Manager of Tashma International in Biyagama.

In connection with the incident, a driver employed by the private company was arrested on the 14th of last month and remanded in custody.

Investigations conducted following a complaint lodged on the 12th of last month by N. W. D. Hiroshi Gunawardena, Commissioner of Production and Distribution at the Department of Educational Publications, found that the Biyagama-based company Tashma International had been contractually entrusted with the consignment of 19,892 activity books and textbooks for delivery to 12 centres in the Eastern Province.

The complaint alleged that the books had not been delivered as required, thereby constituting a breach of criminal trust. The investigations revealed that the company’s driver had sold the consignment, weighing 1,600 kilogrammes, and received Rs. 47,000.

During questioning, the suspect driver reportedly revealed that he had taken delivery of the consignment on 24 May, brought it to his home in Dompe and stored it there. A few days before the sale, he had handed the books over by weight to a lorry collecting old newspapers and broken plastic items and received payment.

Police said that, after locating and questioning the lorry driver, it was revealed that he had handed the books over on the same days to a company in the Peliyagoda area that processes old newspapers and paper.

Police said that further investigations conducted by a police team at the company revealed that the books had been pulped and exported to India a few days later.

The two suspects, residents of Kirivaththuduwa and Kadawatha, were arrested on allegations of criminal misappropriation, breach of trust, and aiding and abetting the causing of loss to government property through negligent failure to properly supervise administrative activities.

The investigation was conducted under the instructions of Acting Officer-in-Charge of the Talangama Police, Chief Inspector Ranjan Edirisinghe, and under the direction of Officer-in-Charge of the Criminal Investigation Division, Inspector Sampath Madurapperuma. Sub-Inspector Jude, Police Sergeant 66640 Siriwardena, and Constables 65283 Sarath and 78864 Mihiranga also took part in the investigation.

Media reports have revealed that law enforcement authorities are paying attention to a sophisticated human trafficking operation allegedly being carried out through the misuse of the Australian Government’s Subclass 408 (Entertainment Visa), which is issued to artists.

The main method used in this operation is allegedly for concert organisers to unlawfully take people to Australia by presenting them as members of musical bands, technical crew and support staff.

According to information reported, some of the people taken to Australia in this manner are subsequently employed as cheap labour at restaurants in Australia owned by the organisers themselves.

The fraudulent operation is reportedly not limited to musical concerts. It is also allegedly being carried out through dance performances and film screenings, with artists and dance groups being brought to Australia while illegal migrants are included among them.

Choreographers who are well known for their involvement in concerts have also reportedly been accused of being connected to the scheme.

The most regrettable aspect of the situation is the allegation that leading singers and artists from Sri Lanka who participate in these concerts are also well aware of what is taking place.

Media reports further indicate that, after arriving in Australia, they directly meet people who had previously entered the country on similar entertainment visas and remained there illegally.

This makes it clear, it is alleged, that not only the organisers but also some leading artists are directly or indirectly supporting this visa fraud.

Australian security authorities have reportedly uncovered that the main tactic used by those entering Australia on entertainment visas is to apply for student visas while remaining in the country after their arrival.

It is also reported that this enables them to remain in Australia for extended periods by misusing entertainment visas and subsequently engage in employment.

Visiting Indian Defence Minister – Rajnath Singh met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo today (Sep. 09).

“During the meeting with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, the Honourable Harini Amarasuriya, we exchanged views on a number of matters relating to development cooperation, education, and the close cultural and civilizational ties between India and Sri Lanka,” Minister Singh’s X post states.

Earlier in the day, he had also met with Opposition Leader – Sajith Premadasa.

(X of Indian Defence Minister – Rajnath Singh)