News

Task Force to prevent ragging in universities

Published

8 hours ago

June 25, 2025

editor

A dedicated task force has been appointed to eliminate ragging and all other forms of violence within universities and higher education institutions in Sri Lanka.

The task force was appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training, Nalaka Kaluwewa, under the directive of the subject minister, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

According to the Ministry of Education, the eradication of ragging from universities and other higher education institutions is a top priority of the current government.

In addition to addressing ragging, the task force is also mandated to prevent any form of violence perpetrated by students against fellow students, as well as by or against academic staff, non-academic staff, and administrative authorities within these institutions.

The task force comprises 16 members and aims to introduce systemic changes to ensure student safety and institutional accountability.

The Ministry further stated that proposals have already been made to establish institutional-level units under the guidance of this task force in universities and other higher education institutions across the country.

(News1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Bus associations oppose proposal of 2% fare reduction

Published

32 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

37 minutes 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

43 minutes 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.