News

Sri Lanka and Israel sign agreement for direct air services, Commencing march

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2024

nipuni

An agreement to start direct air services between Sri Lanka and Israel has been signed.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation said that the diplomatic agreement was signed by Israel’s Minister of Transport and Road Safety Miri Regev, and Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripalada Silva.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation announced that direct flights between the two countries will be started from next March on a fixed schedule.

Minister Miri Regiv emphasized, Since last December, five charter planes of Israel’s Arkia Airlines have arrived at Katunayake Airport from Tel Aviv and several other Israeli airlines have expressed interest in starting direct flights between Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka.

Nearly twenty thousand Sri Lankan workers are employed in various jobs in Israel.

Minister Nimal Siripalada Silva pointed out that this direct air service will be convenient when flying between the two countries and it will be possible to purchase air tickets at a lower price than at present.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

3 hours 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

3 hours 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

4 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.