News

Another Aragalaya will not be allowed – President

Published

3 years ago

November 23, 2022

editor

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today (23) that he would not dissolve the house until stability returns to the country.

He also vowed not to allow another Aragalaya to change the country’s government and said he would deploy the military and use emergency powers if necessary.

The President accused the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) and its leader Kumar Gunaratnam of being responsible for the attempt to capture parliament on the 13th of July 2022. “After doing so, they would have gone on to capture the Supreme Court,” he said while blaming the FSP for orchestrating the chaos.

President Wickremesinghe added that any attempts to create another Aragalaya (struggle) without permits for protests will be prevented, and the police have been instructed to take action to prevent such protests.

The President declared that the public no longer supports the Aragalaya and public protests, and went on to note that the Aragalaya is being hyped by the media. He added that he will appoint a commission to investigate the alleged media involvement in the Aragalaya and what led to chaos in the country.

Commenting on the 21st Amendment to the Constitution and on calls for Basil Rajapaksa, a dual citizen, to be barred from parliament, the President questioned how the Frontline Socialist Party could be against dual citizenship when its own leader is himself a dual citizen in Sri Lanka and Australia.

News

Seat belt compulsory for bus drivers from today

Published

23 minutes ago

July 1, 2025

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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.

BIZ

End of parate relief for large SMEs

Published

32 minutes ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The grace period granted to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) under Sri Lanka’s Parate Execution Law officially ended midnight yesterday (June 30) for businesses with loans exceeding Rs. 50 million.

The Parate Law grants banks the authority to seize properties pledged as collateral without court proceedings. Although its implementation had been suspended for three months by the current administration—and for six months earlier under former President Ranil Wickremesinghe—it has now been reinstated, triggering serious concern among entrepreneurs.

Deputy Minister of Economic Development – Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando has stated that the government intends to hold discussions with all relevant parties in the coming days to address the issues linked to the law’s reimplementation.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader – Sajith Premadasa has warned that the re-implementation of the Parate Execution Law could lead to the rapid auctioning of assets from small, medium, and micro businesses, putting them at risk.

In a statement yesterday (June 30), he emphasized that these businesses contribute over 50% to Sri Lanka’s Gross Domestic Production (GDP) and employ over 04 million people.

News

Ex-SriLankan Airlines chief produced before court

Published

43 minutes ago

July 1, 2025

editor

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,