News

Govt. has turned SL into an ‘auction land’: Sajith

Published

2 years ago

April 24, 2023

editor

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa accused the government of making plans to sell even the profit-making institutions under the guise of restructuring loss-making government institutions.

Making a special statement over the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the opposition leader said the government has turned the country into an ‘auction land’.

“The government failed to get the best deal for the country and the people since it applied for an IMF programme at the last moment. It is clear that loss-making public institutions must be reformed.

“A bankrupt country has no ability to maintain loss-making institutions. However, due to the weak policies of the government led by the President, our country has become an auction land for the tycoons.

“The government is implementing the plan to sell profit-making institutions. The government should follow different models like in Singapore and Malaysia and prepare a model for our country; to increase the revenue of profitable organizations and to transform loss-making organizations into profitable organizations.”

News

Bus associations oppose proposal of 2% fare reduction

Published

58 minutes ago

June 25, 2025

editor

The government’s proposal to reduce bus fares by a 2% effective from July 01 has led to the strong disapproval of bus associations, reports say.

It was also proposed not to revise the minimum fare.

The announcement was made during a meeting between officials of the Transport Ministry and representatives of private bus associations to discuss the annual bus fare revision, scheduled for July 01.

News

UN Rights chief meets families of missing persons

Published

1 hour ago

June 25, 2025

editor

A group of activists and families of missing persons handed over letters and memorandums to the visiting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk in Trincomalee today (June 25).

UN Human Rights Spokesperson – Jeremy Laurence, who is accompanying the High Commissioner, said while in Trincomalee that Mr. Volker Turk expressed sorrow and solidarity with the families of the disappeared.

Meanwhile, a peaceful demonstration was also held in Trincomalee during this visit, where a group of activists and victims of disappearances was seen holding placards and banners.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will visit Kandy before concluding his official visit to Sri Lanka tomorrow (June 26) after a special press briefing in Colombo.

News

200 new super luxury buses to be procured for expressways

Published

1 hour ago

June 25, 2025

editor

There is an urgent need to introduce new buses to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus fleet, as nearly 52% of the regular bus fleet of the Sri Lanka Transport Board and nearly 94% of the luxury bus fleet have exceeded the economic life span.

As to the insufficient buses to meet the passenger demand on the expressway, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) is currently operating 61 luxury buses belonging to the private sector on a profit-sharing basis.

Therefore, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has decided to purchase 200 new super-luxury buses by using their own funds.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, Port and Civil Aviation to purchase 29 super luxury buses through the financially capable depots and to purchase the remaining buses by making a down payment using SLTB funds and the balance to be paid in monthly instalments over a period of 5 years.