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Govt to give preference for green vehicles

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Sri Lanka may consider lifting the import ban of motor vehicles next year as the country’s economic situation is improving with foreign reserves almost reaching USD 5 billion, said Chief of Staff to the President, Sagala Ratnayake.

“As the country’s economic landscape has improved, the ‘would be’ import bill for motor vehicles is not a big amount that the country should worry about. “But our concern is the protection of the local motor industry which is now making great progress.”

He told a press conference on Wednesday, that the Government may give preference towards the import of Green vehicles. “However, the local infrastructure should be developed first, as one doesn’t see many charging stations in and outside Colombo.”

He said that in Singapore there is a permit system and when a vehicle is over ten years old it is re-exported which ensures that a new vehicle fleet remains in the country. “Sri Lanka too has to follow a similar model for the motor industry.”

Ratnayake said that the high earning tourism industry is given all the assistance as it is being identified as an industry that could take the country to the next level.

The Government has already given permission to import 750 vans and 250 buses to be used for the tourism industry.

Similarly, the maritime sector too has been identified as a key area and this is the reason the Government is investing millions of dollars to upgrade and expand them. “The current geo-politics involving the Red Sea has already given the Port more business and revenue.”

He said that the proposed bridge between India and Sri Lanka too would be a major game changer for Sri Lanka’s economy as it will create more commodities to flow between the two countries.

“This will certainly help reduce some of the food prices in Sri Lanka and create more employment opportunities.”

Ratnayake said that the tax revenue collection is on track and the Government may soon explore the possibility of increasing the Rs. 100,000 tax threshold to a higher level.

(sundayobserver.lk)

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Pillayan had prior knowledge of Easter attacks – Minister (Video)

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Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala says that investigations have revealed that Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias “Pilleyan”, had prior knowledge of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

Making a special statement in Parliament today (July 09), the minister pointed out that Pilleyan was in custody at the Batticaloa Prison when the attacks took place, and that strong evidence exists that he had prior knowledge of the attacks.

(Video : Voicetube)

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Student held under PTA for nine months to be produced in court

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The case of a 21-year-old student detained for nearly nine months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will be taken up in court today (July 9).

Mohamed Rifai Mohamed Suhail, an aviation student from Mawanella, was arrested in October 2024 after posting a video on Instagram showing the Israeli flag being trampled, BBC Sinhala reported.

He was initially taken into custody by Dehiwala Police near the Israeli consular office for failing to carry his national identity card and later released when the document was produced in court.

However, Suhail was re-arrested and remanded under the PTA in connection with the Instagram video, despite the court previously releasing him without bail. His lawyer alleges that no formal charges have been filed and no evidence has been presented by police to support the detention.

The prolonged incarceration has drawn criticism from rights groups, legal experts, and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, which has been formally notified. Meanwhile, Suhail’s family has lodged a complaint, calling for his immediate release.

(dailymirror.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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Injured Wanindu ruled out of Bangladesh T20I series

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Sri Lanka’s T20I captain Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh after suffering a hamstring injury to his right leg.

The injury occurred while he was batting during the third and final ODI of the recently concluded series.

Following a medical evaluation, Hasaranga will return to Colombo to undergo rehabilitation at Sri Lanka Cricket’s High Performance Centre.

Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed that no replacement will be added to the T20I squad in his absence.

(dailynews.lk)

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

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