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CBK fears assassination plot after cutting down security

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Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has voiced suspicions of a possible plot to assassinate her, similar to the politically motivated assassination of her husband, the late Vijaya Kumaratunga.

Furthermore, the former President raised concerns over the reduction in her security detail, claiming that the move poses a direct threat to her safety, referencing past political conspiracies.

In a letter addressed to Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne, Kumaratunga highlighted the reduction of her security personnel from 50 to 30, following an order issued on October 31 by Senior DIG Ajith Hemasiri.

Kumaratunga noted in the letter that other former presidents currently receive significantly higher levels of protection. She has highlighted that Mahinda Rajapaksa is provided with 243 security personnel, including both military and police officers, while Maithripala Sirisena and Gotabaya Rajapaksa have 109 and 200 security officers, respectively.

She questioned the rationale behind the substantial reduction in her security team, particularly given her unique status as the only former president to have been injured in an assassination attempt.

Expressing concern over her safety, Kumaratunga referenced prior intelligence reports indicating that the LTTE had issued threats against her life, even following her retirement. She underscored that, as the most threatened among former presidents, a larger security presence is essential.

Kumaratunga’s letter also highlighted that the current government leaders, who previously stated they would refrain from “elite protection” upon taking office, are now safeguarded by hundreds of personnel. She questioned whether the administration has come to recognize that prominent figures in the country require significant protection.

(adaderana.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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Major reforms planned for bus transport

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Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake, recently held a special discussion with officials from the National Transport Commission (NTC), the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), and the Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authorities across nine provinces. The meeting led to several key decisions aimed at modernizing and improving the country’s road passenger transport sector.

Among the major initiatives discussed were:

  • Immediate implementation of an integrated bus timetable for the Puttalam route.
  • Launch of a pilot project on Route 138, where all buses operate under a single association with profit-sharing arrangements.
  • Installation of GPS and CCTV systems in buses for improved monitoring and safety.
  • Development of an online ticket booking system in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Technology.
  • Introduction of random drug and alcohol testing for bus drivers.
  • Mandatory issuance of bus tickets through electronic ticketing machines (implementation phase in progress).
  • Formulation of specifications for buses used in passenger transport.
  • Mandatory seatbelt usage for bus drivers.
  • Identification of new roads/routes for the addition of new bus services.
  • Provision of WhatsApp numbers for passengers to report complaints about buses, with numbers prominently displayed inside buses.
  • Minister Rathnayake emphasized the need for swift action to implement these measures and instructed officials to continuously monitor and report on the progress of each initiative.

(dailynews.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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Chongqing gears up for 25th Lijia International Intelligent Equipment expo

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The international internet celebrity city of Chongqing in China will host a grand equipment manufacturing industry event – the 25th Lijia International Intelligent Equipment Exhibition 2025 next month.

The Expo will be held at the Chongqing International Expo Center from May 13th to 16th, 2025, attracting exhibitors and professional visitors from all over the world to discuss and showcase the latest technologies and products in the equipment manufacturing industry.

This exhibition, spanning across 100,000 sq. meters will bring together 1,400 globally renowned enterprises which will showcase their intelligent manufacturing equipment and technology, particularly the latest achievements, cutting-edge technologies, and high-end products in the fields of machine tools, industrial automation and robots, tool holders and measuring tools, sheet metal, die-casting casting, molds, rubber and plastic.

The 2025 Lijia Exhibition will also create multiple themed exhibition islands showcasing manufacturing powerhouses of China, which will comprehensively showcase solutions to industry pain points through on-site demonstrations, technical explanations, and physical displays.

In addition, the exhibition will also hold over 100 industry conferences and events. The main forum, “FIM-Future Intelligent Manufacturing Conference,” focuses on future factories, with the theme of AI+manufacturing. Industry experts are expected to provide suggestions and recommendations for manufacturing transformation.

Organizers point out that for global manufacturing enterprises, the expo is not only an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest technologies and products in China’s equipment manufacturing industry, but also also an important platform for gaining a deeper understanding of the Chinese market and expanding international cooperation. It will also open up opportunities to engage in in-depth exchanges and cooperation with Chinese counterparts, and to jointly promote the development and prosperity of the global equipment manufacturing industry.

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RW issues special statement after exiting CIABOC (Video)

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Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has left the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) after providing a statement today (April 28).

Soon afterwards, he had also made a special statement in this regard.

(Video : VoiceTube)


(Previous news 2025 April 28 – 9.20.a.m.)

Ex-President Ranil to appear before CIABOC today

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today (April 28) at 9.30 a.m.

He has been summoned to record a statement over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake.

Former President Wickremesinghe, who was initially summoned to the CIABOC on April 17 but requested a postponement. He had requested a date after April 27th to appear before CIABOC, citing that his lawyer Ronald Perera is currently abroad.

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