News

Air Vice Marshal Vasu to lead SLAF

Published

5 months ago

January 25, 2025

editor

Air Vice Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe is set to become the next Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), succeeding Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, who will retire on January 29.

Currently serving as the SLAF’s Director General of Planning, Edirisinghe brings extensive experience to the role. A native of Kandy and an alumnus of St. Sylvester’s College, he joined the SLAF as an Officer Cadet in 1991 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1993.

Initially trained on the SF 260 Warrior, he transitioned to rotary-wing aircraft due to a shortage of helicopter pilots. After completing training on Bell 206/212/412 helicopters, he was operationally cleared for flying duties and served in utility operations in the North and East of the country.

Edirisinghe will take over as the 20th Commander of the SLAF.Air Vice Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe is set to become the next Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), succeeding Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, who will retire on January 29.

Edirisinghe will take over as the 20th Commander of the SLAF.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

2 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

2 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

3 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.