News

Contract signed for Railway signalling system

Published

8 months ago

September 21, 2023

editor

The Contract for Design, Installation, Testing & Commissioning of Signalling system for Sri Lanka Railways from Maho to Anuradhapura (66 km) was signed between the Ministry of Transport and Highways of Sri Lanka and IRCON Ltd today (September 21, 2023) in the presence of the Minister of Transport and Highways of Sri Lanka – Dr. Bandula Gunawardane and the High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka – Mr. Gopal Baglay.

Governor of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka – Senthil Thondaman; State Minister of Highways of Sri Lanka – Siripala Gamalath; senior officials from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Transport and Highways, Sri Lankan Railways and IRCON Ltd were also present during the signing event.

The mentioned project is being executed under an Indian Line of Credit (LOC) of USD 318 million at a cost of USD 14.90 million.

In his remarks at the event, High Commissioner stressed the significance of the Signalling project for easing movement of the people of Sri Lanka, accelerating economic recovery of the country and strengthening the cooperation between the two countries. He highlighted that LOC for this project in the current situation, symbolises the continued desire of the Government and the people of India to stand with the people of Sri Lanka.

The Minister of Transport and Highways – Dr. Bandula Gunawardane thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the Government of India for supporting Sri Lanka in multiple ways, especially during the economic crisis last year. It was also pointed out that Sri Lankan railway projects have received support in the form of LOCs in recent times only from India.

Projects of over USD 1 billion in the Railway sector have been completed under 5 Indian LOCs till date. IRCON Ltd, which started its operations in Sri Lanka in March 2009, has completed several projects in Sri Lanka with Indian assistance and has contributed significantly towards rehabilitation and modernization of Sri Lanka Railways, capacity building and employment generation.

At present, IRCON Ltd is undertaking a project for upgradation of the Railway Line including track Rehabilitation and ancillary works from Maho to Omanthai (128 km) at a cost of USD 91.27 million.

Under this project, while track rehabilitation work from Anuradhapura to Omanthai has already been completed, work on the section from Anuradhapura to Maho will commence from January 2024.

News

Concessionary vehicle import permits granted to retired government & judicial officials

Published

15 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Senior government and judicial officials who have retired on completion of 60 years of age and those who were sent on compulsory retirement without extension are eligible to obtain a vehicle import permit under concessionary rates of duty.

This was according to a circular issued by the Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry.

Officers who have retired on completion of 60 years of age during the period from extending the age of compulsory retirement to 65 years and reducing the age of compulsory retirement to 60 years introduced by the Ministry in 2022 are eligible for the permits subject to other requirements as set out in the regulations.

The decision to grant vehicle import permits for retired senior government officials came following a Cabinet decision on March 11.

Among the eligible officials are retired officials from Class I of an All Island Service or a Departmental Service, Special Grade of Government Registered and Assistant Medical Officers’ Service, Government Dental Surgeon in Grade I and retired senior judicial officers.

The circular dated April 25 was issued by Secretary to the Ministry Pradeep Yasarathne. The Secretary was unavailable for comment yesterday.

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

News

SLC doubles test players’ payments to boost morale

Published

16 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a significant increase in payments for Sri Lanka’s Test players, effectively doubling their compensation.

The decision, made by SLC, is aimed at fostering greater enthusiasm among Test players and emphasizing the importance of Test cricket, the governing body stated.

The increased payments will be implemented based on the match contracts of each player, in accordance with SLC guidelines.

As a result of this adjustment, the total payment for a Test player per international match will now amount to approximately USD 15,000, which is around Rs. 4,450,000.

News

India to cover tax costs for Sri Lanka-India passenger ferry service

Published

17 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

The Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS).

The passenger ferry service, which was launched in October 2023 by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), will tentatively resume on May 13, 2024. It will be operated by a private operator, IndSri Ferry Services, selected by SCI in consultation with the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL).

In order to make the service affordable and attractive for passengers, the Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year.

Similarly, the GOSL has reduced the deviation tax currently charged from passengers leaving Sri Lanka by passenger vessels and ships.

It should be recalled that the Government of India has also extended a grant assistance of USD 63.65 million to the GOSL for the rehabilitation of the KKS Harbour, which was earlier envisaged to be undertaken under a Line of Credit.

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