News

CPC assures no fuel shortage in SL

Published

7 hours ago

June 25, 2025

editor

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has assured that there will be no fuel shortage in the country under any circumstances.

According to the CPC Chairman – D.J. Rajakaruna, the CPC has already placed and confirmed orders for the fuel required for the next 02 months and there is absolutely no reason to anticipate a fuel shortage in the country.

He said however there are concerns about where the fuel shipments will originate from and whether there is an impact due to the war.

Rajakaruna also warned that legal action would be taken against those found hoarding fuel illegally.

According to CPC data, the majority of Octane 92 petrol is sourced from Malaysia, Singapore, or India, and not from conflict zones in the Middle East, with only one shipment expected from Oman, CPC Chairman said.

He further noted that even in the event of the Strait of Hormuz being closed, the CPC has alternative supply routes in place. Diesel stocks are also sourced from non-conflict zones, he added.

News

Bus associations oppose proposal of 2% fare reduction

Published

1 hour 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.