News

Japan expresses commitment to supporting new govt’s anti-corruption program

Published

5 months ago

September 27, 2024

editor

The Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka – Mizukoshi Hideaki, affirmed that the Japanese government is committed to fully supporting efforts to combat corruption and irregularities, a key priority of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration.

He expressed readiness to continue close collaboration with Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Mizukoshi made these remarks during a meeting with the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (Sep. 26).

He further announced that work on 11 stalled projects funded by the Japanese government will resume promptly.

Accordingly, these projects include the Kandy City Water Management Project, Phase II of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Development Project, the Terrestrial Television Broadcast Digitization Project, the National Transmission and Distribution Network Development Project, Phase II of the Anuradhapura North Water Supply Project, the Rural Infrastructure Development Project, the Kalu Ganga Water Supply Project, and improvements to health and medical services.

The Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Mizukoshi, stated that the agreement encompasses the swift completion of the first phase of the Habarana-Veyangoda transmission line project and the Anuradhapura North water supply project, both of which are nearing completion with Japanese assistance. He also highlighted the payments related to the recently finished Kelani Ganga new bridge construction project.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Head of the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka Nayoki Kamoshida, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan Ohashi Kenji and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage.

(PMD)

News

No vehicles or vehicle permits for MPs – President

Published

2 hours ago

February 17, 2025

editor

Parliamentarians will not receive vehicles or vehicle permits this year, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

He said this while delivering the 2025 Budget speech in Parliament today (Feb. 17).

The President also added that measures will be taken to auction off all luxury vehicles in the state sector in March 2025.

News

Human Immunoglobulin case : Lab reports from India & Germany received

Published

3 hours ago

February 17, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka has received laboratory reports from India and Germany regarding the human immunoglobulin drug.

The police confirmed that a team of officers had traveled to those countries to obtain the reports.

The Attorney General’s Department stated that the reports will be used as evidence, and a final decision on the case will be made after they are thoroughly examined.

(News1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Train numbers in daily operations to be upped to reduce delays

Published

3 hours ago

February 17, 2025

editor

Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways, Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, announced that steps are being taken to increase the number of locomotives in daily operations to reduce train delays ahead of the introduction of electric trains in Sri Lanka

He emphasized the importance of improving train punctuality, stating that the government is actively addressing service cancellations. Currently, Sri Lanka operates around 217 to 220 daily train services, with 17 to 20 cancellations on average. The goal is to minimize cancellations and maintain consistent operations.

Dr. Gunasena noted that while the country typically requires 60 to 70 locomotives for smooth daily operations, only 45 to 50 have been available in recent times. However, efforts are underway to increase this number, with the expectation that over 60 locomotives will be in service by the end of February.

Additionally, he highlighted that currently, 52% of trains operate on schedule, while 17% experience delays exceeding 10 minutes, and 10% are delayed by more than 30 minutes. The government aims to improve these figures by enhancing locomotive availability and efficiency.

(dailynews.lk)

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