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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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Wimal appears before CID

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National Freedom Front (NFF) leader and former MP Wimal Weerawansa appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to provide a statement regarding remarks he made about a shipment of 323 containers linked to a provincial governor.

He was summoned to record a statement in connection with multiple complaints received over his comments made during a media briefing on January 29.

Following his remarks, Western Province Governor – Hanif Yusoof lodged a complaint with the CID on January 30, claiming he was targeted through social media posts.

Police said that several other parties have also filed complaints related to the same incident.

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Neurosurgeon’s daughter granted bail

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The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered the release on bail of Hemali Wijerathna, daughter of Dr. Maheshi Surasinghe Wijerathna, a consultant neurosurgeon at the Sri Jayawardenapura General Hospital, who is currently in remand custody.

Colombo Chief Magistrate – Tanuja Lakmali Jayatunga ordered that the suspect be released on a personal bail of Rs.500,000.

She was arrested by the Keselwatta Police and produced before court.

Meanwhile, the case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against her for allegedly threatening CIABOC officers is scheduled to be taken up again today (July 09).

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Forests on state lands to be designated as reserves

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The Ministry of Environment has decided to designate several forests located on state owned lands as official forest reserves.

Deputy Minister – Anton Jayakody has stated that such forests, each spanning 05 hectares or more, have been identified in every district.

Special priority will be given to designating forest reserves on mountain peaks.

In the first phase, 20 forests in districts including Monaragala and Ampara have been selected under the new program named ‘Vanaspathi’,  he said.

He further said the initiative aims to protect these forest areas and expand the country’s forest cover.

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