Four arrested over alleged human smuggling

Published

2 years ago

October 24, 2023

editor

Four suspects were arrested by the Navy for their alleged involvement in human smuggling, during an operation carried out in Sand Dunes 3, Talaimannar on October 21.

In the search operation, naval personnel intercepted two dinghies in the sea area, on suspicion.

Four individuals aboard the dinghies were arrested since they had no licenses and for illegally bringing illegal immigrants from foreign countries to Sri Lanka through sea routes.

The suspects and the dinghies were handed over to the Talaimannar Police and Mannar Fisheries Inspector for onward legal action.

The Navy said that it conducts regular patrols and search operations in the coastal and sea areas to prevent a wide range of illegal activities taking place via sea routes.

As an extension of these efforts, this special search operation was conducted by SLNS Thammanna and SLNS Gajaba in the North Central Naval Command.

Bus associations oppose proposal of 2% fare reduction

Published

2 hours ago

June 25, 2025

editor

The government’s proposal to reduce bus fares by a 2% effective from July 01 has led to the strong disapproval of bus associations, reports say.

It was also proposed not to revise the minimum fare.

The announcement was made during a meeting between officials of the Transport Ministry and representatives of private bus associations to discuss the annual bus fare revision, scheduled for July 01.

UN Rights chief meets families of missing persons

Published

2 hours ago

June 25, 2025

editor

A group of activists and families of missing persons handed over letters and memorandums to the visiting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk in Trincomalee today (June 25).

UN Human Rights Spokesperson – Jeremy Laurence, who is accompanying the High Commissioner, said while in Trincomalee that Mr. Volker Turk expressed sorrow and solidarity with the families of the disappeared.

Meanwhile, a peaceful demonstration was also held in Trincomalee during this visit, where a group of activists and victims of disappearances was seen holding placards and banners.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will visit Kandy before concluding his official visit to Sri Lanka tomorrow (June 26) after a special press briefing in Colombo.

News

200 new super luxury buses to be procured for expressways

Published

2 hours ago

June 25, 2025

editor

There is an urgent need to introduce new buses to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus fleet, as nearly 52% of the regular bus fleet of the Sri Lanka Transport Board and nearly 94% of the luxury bus fleet have exceeded the economic life span.

As to the insufficient buses to meet the passenger demand on the expressway, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) is currently operating 61 luxury buses belonging to the private sector on a profit-sharing basis.

Therefore, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has decided to purchase 200 new super-luxury buses by using their own funds.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, Port and Civil Aviation to purchase 29 super luxury buses through the financially capable depots and to purchase the remaining buses by making a down payment using SLTB funds and the balance to be paid in monthly instalments over a period of 5 years.