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Nationwide raids to nab unlicensed buses; fine to be increased to Rs.500,000

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Special raids have been launched to nab buses that transport passengers without a permit , the National Transport Commission (NTC) said.

NTC Director General Dr. Nilan Miranda said that four teams have been deployed for this purpose.

The attention was paid again on such raids following the recent bus accident in Manampitiya, Polonnaruwa.

Steps to increase fine to Rs.500,000

Meanwhile, speaking at the Cabinet news briefing yesterday (11), Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana said that a joint programme will be implemented with the police, the Criminal Investigation Department and the intelligence agencies in the North, East and North Central Provinces where buses operate without permits.

The minister said that the National Transport Commission Act has been amended and sent to the Attorney General to increase the fine up to Rs.500,000 if passengers are transported without a permit . 

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Sri Lanka grants clearance for FAO ship

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Sri Lanka has officially granted clearance for a research vessel operated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to conduct scientific research in Sri Lankan territorial waters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism said.

The vessel is scheduled to carry out its mission from August 15 – August 20, 2025.

Dr. Fridtjof Nansen is a research vessel that conducts surveys, collecting vital data on fish stocks, biodiversity, and oceanographic conditions. It sought to carry out research activities in Sri Lankan waters, but the government had earlier denied access for it in the absence of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for foreign research vessels.

This posed the possibility of a cancellation, which could have deprived Sri Lanka of over USD 01 million worth of support while affecting future Green Climate Fund initiatives. It was also reported that the next possible deployment would not occur until after 2030.

A year-long moratorium on foreign research vessels expired in December 2024 followed by a cabinet decision in late January to appoint a special committee to amend the SOP for granting diplomatic clearance to foreign research vessels in Sri Lanka.

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Anuradhapura Prison chief granted bail

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The Superintendent of the Anuradhapura Prison – Mohan Karunaratne who was in remand custody, has been granted bail.

The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court granted bail under two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each and imposed an overseas travel ban on him.

Karunaratne was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on June 08 over the alleged unauthorized release of an inmate convicted of multiple counts of fraud and corruption under a presidential amnesty.The case is to be taken up again on Aug. 04.

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SL calls to de-escalate situation in Middle East

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The Government of Sri Lanka has expressed grave concern about the latest developments in the Middle East. 

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism states, “We continue to call upon all parties to take concrete steps to de-escalate the situation.”

“All concerned parties should return to dialogue and engage in intense diplomatic efforts to establish and maintain peace with a view to ensuring stability in the Middle East region,” the statement adds.

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