News

Ministry seeks Rs. 20bn for urgent road repairs

Published

2 years ago

July 16, 2023

editor

The Transport and Highways Ministry is to urge the Government to release Rs 20 billion for urgent repairs and maintenance of roads in view of the adverse condition of existing road networks.

Minister Bandula Gunawardena told the Sunday Times that the Cabinet had been informed about the requirement, but the allocations had not been made so far and therefore the ministry would be making a fresh appeal.

He said the ministry was urging the Government to stop or reduce current allocations to other ministries and make available the allocations to protect the existing road network.

A Road Development Authority (RDA) senior official said a large number of projects and maintenance work on roads, including 12,000km maintained by the RDA, had come to a standstill.

Among the projects held up is the Asian Development Bank project for which an allocation of USD 235 million has been held back. Another Rs 20 billion more was required for the maintenance of a 100,000km road network and other national road networks.

He said the road maintenance cost would be higher if the current maintenance work was not carried out.

(Sunday Times)

News

2 Chinese nationals arrested at BIA with gems worth over Rs. 17 mn.

Published

10 hours ago

January 14, 2025

editor

Two Chinese nationals have been nabbed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night (Jan. 13) after attempting smuggle a stock of gemstones out of the country.

The customs officers had apprehended the 45-year-old male and his 21-year-old daughter who had hidden gemstones in their undergarments, reports say.

According to Sri Lanka Customs, he stock of gemstones includes Moonstones, Hessonite Garnets, Star Sapphires, Cats Eyes and Emeralds weighing around 689.5 grams in total and valued around Rs. 17,450,875.

News

100 families in Suduwella village, evacuated

Published

11 hours ago

January 14, 2025

editor

100 families residing in Suduwella village, Gal Oya have been evacuated to safety, District Secretary of Ampara District, Chinthaka Abeywickrama says.
Noting that the Gal Oya is near to breaching its banks, Mr. Abeywickrama has said that the evacuation was done in the face of a possible flood situation.

Meanwhile, the banks of the Gal Oya have been severely eroded in the Kota Vehera area.

News

Samarasinghe blames previous govt. again for red rice shortage

Published

11 hours ago

January 14, 2025

editor

Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe has yet again blamed the previous government for the current shortage of red rice in the local market.

Speaking to media, the minister criticised a policy implemented by the previous government that distributed 20 kg of red rice to households indiscriminately.

However, he has assured the public that the situation will improve soon and that the supply will normalise in the coming months.

“Red rice is an essential food item, especially during the Thai Pongal celebrations, and we are aware of the anxiety caused by this shortage. Plans are afoot to stabilize supply ahead of upcoming harvests,” Samarasinghe stated.