Airport officials justify removing scanners at BIA departure area

Published

2 years ago

August 14, 2023

editor

The Scanner machines placed at the departure section of the Bandaranaike International Airport have been removed to expedite passenger movement, a senior official of the Airport said today.

Mr H. S. Hettiarachchi Head of Airport Management at Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka said that as the number of passengers departing the country was on the rise the measure has been taken.

He said daily more than 15,000 passengers including tourists were leaving the country daily and the machines were removed so that the movements of the passengers could be expedited.

He said that in some other foreign countries too the passengers are able to directly reach the counter for checking.

Mr Hettiaarachchi said earlier due to security measures the scanner machines were required.

Another official said that with the removal of the scanner machines the passengers have been seen moving faster.

(sundaytimes.lk)

Helicopter crash during SLAF training session

Published

24 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

editor

A Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has reportedly crashed today (May 09).

It crashed during a training session at the Hingurakgoda Air Force Base.

Further reports indicate that the helicopter crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir.

American Cardinal elected as new Pope: Pope Leo XIV

Published

31 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

editor

Following a 02-day papal conclave, American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the new Pope yesterday (May 08) evening, Vatican time.

At 69, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

He becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV now assumes spiritual leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

The election follows the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City, a day after participating in Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.

News

Heavy rains expected in the afternoon

Published

2 hours ago

May 9, 2025

editor

The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (May 09).

Showers may occur in Western province and in Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts in the morning too.

Fairly heavy rains above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and North-central provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts during the morning.