News

Ferry service to be launched between India & SL

Published

2 years ago

December 14, 2022

editor

Steps have been taken to launch a passenger ferry service between South India and Kankesanthurai, Trincomalee and Colombo Ports in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation said.

A special discussion was held at the ministry’s auditorium yesterday (13) under the chairmanship of Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva in this regard.

Minister de Silva said that passenger ferry services between Kankesanthurai and Pondicherry would be commenced in January as the first step of this programme and the approval of the Indian Government has already been received.

The minister said that since a large number of Indians are engaged in business activities in the Jaffna peninsula, the country will be able to earn foreign exchange by launching the passenger ferry services, and it will also be a great relief to the Sri Lankan pilgrims visiting Bodh Gaya.

The ship owners have meanwhile pointed out that the existing infrastructure facilities at the ports should be improved before launching the ferry services.

Accordingly, Minister de Silva has instructed the Ministry Secretary to take necessary steps to improve infrastructure facilities at the ports related to Customs, Immigration and Emigration activities and to proceed according to the government’s approved procurement process.

The ship owners who participated in the discussion had said that ferries, which can carry 300 or 400 passengers at a time, take about 3 and half hours to complete one journey.

The ferry owners have said US$ 60 would be charged per passenger for one journey and they can carry 100 kg of luggage.

Meanwhile, those who were present at the meeting had commented how this ferry service will take less time to complete its journey than the time it takes to visit Badulla, which is Minister de Silva’s constituency, from Colombo.

Generally it takes around 8 hours to travel from Colombo to Badulla by bus.

Secretary of the Ministry K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, Controller General of Immigration Department I.S.H.J. Ilukpitiya, Commander Senaka Wahala representing the Navy and a group of passenger vessel owners also participated in the meeting.

News

Bahrain makes Meningococcal vaccine mandatory for foreign workers

Published

4 hours ago

March 24, 2025

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The Ministry of Health has announced that the Meningococcal vaccine is now mandatory for all foreign workers entering Bahrain, including Sri Lankans.

The Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, in coordination with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Bahrain and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will implement the vaccination program based on guidelines from Bahrain and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Meningococcal disease, caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacterium, is a severe infection with a high mortality rate if untreated.

The GCC recommends vaccination to prevent outbreaks, especially in regions with large migrant worker populations.

Bahrain remains a key employment destination for Sri Lankans, with over 4,000 workers departing for Bahrain in 2024 alone.

News

A’pura hospital rape : Suspect further remanded

Published

4 hours ago

March 24, 2025

editor

The suspect arrested in connection with the sexual assault on a female doctor of the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital has been ordered to be further remanded until March 28, 2025.

This order was issued after he was produced before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court today (March 24).

Meanwhile, the suspect’s identification parade, which was rescheduled for today, had been cancelled after the victim had not attended.

News

High Posts committee approves 3 appointments

Published

4 hours ago

March 24, 2025

editor

The Committee on High Posts, which met in Parliament recently (March 21), has approved the nominations to appoint two Ambassadors and a High Commissioner.

The Committee also approved the nomination to appoint the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York.
Accordingly, the nominations of Mr. Ratnayake Mudiyanselage Mahinda Dasa Ratnayake, to be appointed as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Cuba and Professor Pivithuru Janak Kumarasinghe, to be appointed as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan were approved by the Committee on High Posts.

The nomination of Mr. Senadheera Dumunnage Nimal Upali Senadheera, to be appointed as the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was also approved by the Committee on High Posts.

Furthermore, the Committee on High Posts approved the nomination of former Chief Justice Jayantha Chandrasiri Jayasuriya P.C to be appointed as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York, the United States of America.