News

Talks held over SL – Myanmar direct air connectivity

Published

2 years ago

May 15, 2023

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Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Myanmar Janaka Bandara held a meeting with the top management of Myanmar Airways International on 12 May 2023, with the view of establishing direct air connectivity between Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

Chairman Aung Aung Zaw and Chief Commercial Officer Tanes Kumar represented Myanmar Airways International in the discussion.

The Ambassador highlighted the significance of direct air connectivity in promoting the tourism industries of both destinations. It was underlined that travelers between the two countries were wasting considerable time at transits while the flight time is just less than three hours. The Ambassador assured that there would be a sizeable traffic up and down between these two significant destinations underpinned by historical, cultural and religious affinities.

In this discussion, the Ambassador requested to establish a regular charter flight between Yangon and Colombo and proposed to extend the Yangon – Chennai flight up to Colombo.

The Ambassador further suggested exploring the feasibility of having a circuit connecting Colombo – Yangon – Bodhgaya or Colombo – Yangon – Kathmandu with the view of gaining economic benefit out of the religious significance of these countries.

The CCO was positive towards the suggestions and agreed to work on them. He further agreed to see the possibility of arranging charter flights between Yangon and Colombo during the month of August, enabling the Myanmar pilgrims to go to Kandy to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic Temple “Sri Dalada Maligawa” and see “Asela Perahera” cultural pageant.

The proposal to establish direct air connectivity between Sri Lanka and Myanmar had been discussed at many high level forums in both countries.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

38 minutes ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Controller of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Illukpitiya, today (July 01) unconditionally pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court in a case related to contempt of court.

The charge stemmed from his failure to comply with a court order related to the e-visa issuance process.

The Supreme Court announced that sentencing will take place on July 24.

News

Nishantha Wickramasinghe remanded again (Update)

Published

39 minutes ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former SriLankan Airlines Chairman – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been remanded till July 15 by Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga.

(Previous news 2025 July 01,12.15pm.)

Ex-SriLankan Airlines chief produced before court

Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by prison officials today (July 01).

Wickramasinghe was arrested last week by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and is currently in remand custody,

News

Seat belt compulsory for bus drivers from today

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has announced that starting today (July 01), it will be mandatory for all bus drivers to wear seat belts, with strict penalties for non-compliance.

Under the MotorTraffic Act, bus drivers are legally required to wear seat belts, but a rise in accidents due to drivers ignoring this rule has prompted the authorities to re-enforce it.

Police confirmed that action will be taken against drivers who fail to comply.

Seat belts to be made mandatory for all passengers in expressways

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport has also stated that wearing seat belts will be made mandatory to all passengers of light vehicles travelling on expressways from August 01, 2025.

Meanwhile, wearing seat belts will also be mandatory to all passengers of all vehicles on expressways from September 01, 2025.

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake also confirmed the directive while speaking to media this morning (July 01) during an inspection tour at the Colombo Central Bus Stand.