News

CPC obtains loans at higher interest from State Banks

Published

3 years ago

November 18, 2022

editor

The loss-making Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has obtained a loan from a state-owned bank at 28 per cent interest on the assurance of repaying within ten months without interest in order to pay an allowance of Rs.30,000 to nearly 5,000 employees.

The employees have been given this amount to purchase books for their children.

Accordingly, the interest for this bank loan is to be borne by the CPC.

Similarly, the CPC has obtained a loan from a state bank at an interest of 22% in order to give an allowance of Rs.50,000 to the employees for the Sinhala Tamil New Year. However, it was reported that the installments have not been paid although six months have already been passed.

A higher official at the CPC said the latest allowance will be given as an employee’s right to buy books for their children.

He said that it has not been mentioned that the loan amount of Rs.50,000 will not be collected but added the collection of the installments has not been commenced yet.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

59 minutes 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

1 hour 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

2 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.