News

Fare increases expected for buses, school vans, and three-wheelers in January

Published

5 months ago

December 30, 2023

editor

The Inter-Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA), the All Island School Van Operators Association (AISVOA), and the All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union (AITWDU) are planning to raise fares in January due to the introduction of a new 18% value-added tax (VAT).

IPPBA Secretary Anjana Priyanjith said after imposing the new VAT, the diesel price would increase by Rs. 50, and therefore the minimum bus fare should also be increased.

However, they hope to increase the minimum bus fare to Rs. 36 while increasing the remaining rates according to the percentage.

The minimum bus fare is Rs. 30 as of March 31, 2023.

Meanwhile, AISVOA chairman Malsiri de Silva told the Daily Mirror that they have not come to a conclusion about the charges that need to be increased.

“We know that increasing the school van fee is a huge burden to the parents, but in the current situation, we also cannot do anything to reduce the school van fare,” he told the media.

Moreover, AITWDU president Lalith Dharmasekera told the Daily Mirror that there is a possibility of petrol prices increasing by more than Rs. 50 from January, and if that happens, the charges for the first kilometre would increase according to the fuel price.

“We did not take any measures to revise fares on previous occasions where the government had increased petrol prices. But this time, we cannot remain so. We have to increase the fares according to the price increases,” he told the media.

News

Liquor shops closed

Published

2 hours ago

May 20, 2024

editor

All liquor shops across the country will be closed on May 23 and 24 in view of the Wesak festival, the Excise Department has announced

In the Matale city limits the liquor shops will be closed from May 21, 22, 23 and 24th as the State Wesak festival is being held in Matale this year.

News

RW expresses condolences over Iranian President’s death

Published

2 hours ago

May 20, 2024

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that Sri Lanka is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian and other senior Irani officials.

“I express my deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the bereaved families, the government and the people of Iran. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of President Raisi and his entourage,” the President said in a X message.

Sri Lanka is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian and other senior Irani officials. I express my deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the bereaved families, the government and the people of Iran.…
— Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) May 20, 2024

News

Chief prelates call to grant a presidential pardon to Gnanasara Thera on Vesak Day

Published

2 hours ago

May 20, 2024

editor

Chief Prelates of the Malwathu, Asgiri, Ramanna Nikaya, and the Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha have urged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to grant Ven. Gnanasara Thera a presidential pardon on Vesak Poya day.

In a letter to the President, the Chief Prelates noted that Ven. Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera was sentenced to four years in prison on March 28, 2024, after being found guilty of causing discord during a media discussion about the Kooragala Rajamaha Vihara in 2016.

They point out that the Thera had also taken steps to alert authorities about extremist activities in society, helping to prevent the spread of some extremist groups in Sri Lanka.

As a result, several potential extremist conflicts in Sri Lankan society were averted, the letter adds.