The Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat has launched a new initiative aimed at improving the attitudes, ethics, and service standards of three-wheeler drivers operating within the tourism sector.An initial discussion regarding the implementation of the program was held yesterday morning (June 18) at the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat. It was revealed that the initiative will train 10,000 three-wheeler taxi drivers engaged in the tourism sector, covering all nine provinces of the island within this year. The program, which aims to enhance the drivers’ attitudes and ethical conduct, is estimated to cost Rs. 25 million. Ten training sessions are scheduled to be conducted in each province as part of the island-wide initiative.

The program aims to provide three-wheeler drivers with comprehensive knowledge of traffic regulations, promote a sense of responsibility, and guide them on the appropriate steps to deliver quality transport services. It also seeks to improve their ability to meet the expectations of tourists by raising service quality. As part of the initiative, a specialized software application will be introduced for drivers serving the tourism sector. Through these measures, the program aims to elevate the overall standards and professionalism of services within the tourism industry.

Additionally, the initiative aims to encourage three-wheeler drivers to adopt better attitudes, improve their personal hygiene and professionalism, and increase their familiarity with the areas they operate in, thereby ensuring friendly and quality service for customers.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Mr. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, along with officials representing the Ministry of Finance, Tourism Bureau Eastern Province, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Northern Provincial Council, Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council, Tourism Police, Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, and representatives from the All Ceylon Three Wheeler Drivers’ Trade Union, Western Provincial Three Wheeler Drivers and Owners’ Cooperative Society, National Taxi App Professional Drivers’ Union, Online Taxi Service Drivers’ Association, and Federation of App-based Transport Workers also participated in the event.

(President’s Media Division)

A mosquito control week will be carried out in 16 districts from June 30 – July 05, the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) announced.

Community Specialist Dr. Priscilla Samaraweera stated at a media briefing in Colombo that 26,775 dengue cases and 14 deaths, including one child, have been reported islandwide so far this year, with 45% of cases reported from the Western Province.

She noted that the program is being launched in response to rising mosquito density due to the southwest monsoon rains, and will cover 111 MOH divisions.

High-risk areas will be inspected, breeding sites will be identified and removed, followed by issuing red notices and taking legal action where necessary, she added.

The Supreme Court yesterday (June 18) ordered two policemen to compensate a youth who was arrested and tortured in 2019 over an alleged gold theft from a company he had worked in.

The court ruled that the then OIC of Uragasmanhandiya Police and the then OIC of its Crime Branch had violated the fundamental rights of the young man – P.A.S. Madhushan by unlawfully arresting, assaulting, and torturing him to extract a confession over the incident.

Both police officers – identified as OIC Harith and OIC Hiran were ordered to personally pay Rs.01 million each in compensation as well as legal costs to the youth within 06 months.

The bench, comprising Justices Shiran Gunaratne, S. Thurai Raja, and A.H.M.D. Nawaz, also instructed that copies of the judgment be sent to the National Police Commission for further necessary action against the officers.

The FR case filed by the youth stated that he had voluntarily gone to the police with a lawyer upon learning that he was being sought over the theft. There, he was handcuffed and dragged along the floor into a room before being beaten and tortured until unconscious.

He said that the first respondent had compelled him to pay Rs.300,000 to the company owner to arrive at a settlement before being released on police bail. He had later been hospitalized for 12 days due to injuries inflicted on him.

Despite denials by the respondents, the SC bench found no lawful basis for the arrest and unanimously ruled that based on forensic medical reports, the petitioner had indeed been subjected to severe torture, confirming the violation of his rights.