Connect with us

News

2025 Budget on Jan. 09

Published

on

The 2025 Budget proposal will be presented to the Parliament on January 09, 2025, Cabinet Spokesman – Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has said.

Speaking during the Cabinet briefing this morning (Nov. 26), the Minister stated that the 2nd reading of the 2025 Budget will take place on February 17, while the debate on the 3rd reading will be held from Feb. 27 – March 21.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet of Ministers has also granted approval to prepare an Interim Vote on Account for the first 04 months of the year 2025, including government recurrent and capital expenditure, public debt servicing and debt restructuring expenses.

Dr. Jayatissa said that the decision was taken in view of the insufficient time to follow the statutory steps required to pass the Appropriation Bill for the year 2025.

Therefore, as provided for in Section 23(1) of the Public Finance Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, an Interim Vote on Account will be presented to Parliament for the allocation of funds required for the maintenance of ongoing projects and public services for the first 04 months of the year 2025.

The relevant parliamentary debate will be held on December 5 and 6, according to the Cabinet Spokesman.

News

Bus associations oppose proposal of 2% fare reduction

Published

on

By

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 fares of the first two stages.

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.

Continue Reading

News

UN Rights chief meets families of missing persons

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

News

200 new super luxury buses to be procured for expressways

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved