News

New law for inter-provincial buses from May 15

Published

4 weeks ago

May 12, 2023

editor

The inter-provincial long-distance buses will be permitted to stop only at bus halts with a yellow-colored signboard from May 15, the National Transport Commission (NTC) said.

NTC Director General Nilan Miranda said a pilot program in this regard was held from Galle to Gintota on the Galle corridor to minimise the conflicts between the inter-provincial long-distance bus services and provincial bus services when picking up passengers at certain bus stops.

Accordingly, the NTC has identified 37 bus stops for inter-provincial long-distance buses from Galle to Gintota on the Galle corridor, he said.

The announcement was made while addressing the media at the Government Information Department while launching the pilot program. Addressing the media, NTC Director of Planning Ms. K.A.C. Karunarathna said yellow color sign boards are displayed along with black sign boards.

“Both the provincial and inter-provincial long-distance bus services are permitted to stop at the bus stops where the yellow-colored signboards are displayed. Inter-provincial long-distance buses are not permitted to stop at the bus tops with black sign boards,” she said.

Accordingly, inter-provincial long-distance buses will be permitted only at yellow colored bus stops from May 15.

“Legal action will be taken against the inter-provincial long-distance buses that do not stop at the permitted bus stops as per the prevailing law. This directive will be included as a criterion in the route permit of the NTC, and internal disciplinary action will be taken against those buses that violate this,” Ms. Karunarathna said.

(dailymirror.lk)

News

Cabinet green light to ratify Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

Published

13 hours ago

June 6, 2023

editor

Cabinet approval has been granted to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and to take the necessary steps for legislation to enforce the provisions of the agreement.

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Sep. 10, 1996. By the treaty, member states agreed to ban “any nuclear weapons test or other nuclear explosion” anywhere in the world. So far, 186 countries have signed the agreement and 177 countries have ratified the agreement.

Sri Lanka signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty on October 24, 1996. Sri Lanka is currently cooperating with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization in the areas of training, capacity development, data and information sharing. Sri Lanka’s ratification of the treaty would recognize Sri Lanka’s diplomatic role as an active proponent of international peace and security in a world free of nuclear weapons.

According to the government, ratifying the agreement will also enable the country to obtain useful data for civil and scientific purposes that will benefit many developing countries including Sri Lanka, such as tsunami warnings, climate change and geographical studies.

News

Overseas travel ban slapped on Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam

Published

13 hours ago

June 6, 2023

editor

The Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court has issued an overseas travel ban on Ahila Ilankai Thamil Congress (AITC) MP – Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam over the recent incident of verbally abusing police officers during a function, police spokesman – SSP Nihal Thalduwa says.

Yesterday, the magistrate ordered to remand the AITC’s main female organizer in the North – East region, over the incident.

News

Verdict on petition challenging Diana Gamage’s MP seat, postponed

Published

13 hours ago

June 6, 2023

editor

The Court of Appeal has deferred the pronouncement of the verdict on the petition filed seeking an order to annul the Parliamentary seat of State Minister Diana Gamage.

Accordingly, the verdict is expected to be pronounced on the 25th of July.

The petition was called this morning before President of the Court of Appeal Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice A Marikkar.

Court heard arguments pertaining to the petition previously and was expected to announce the verdict today.

The writ petition was filed before the Court of Appeal calling for State Minister Diana Gamage to be stripped of her Parliamentary seat by activist Oshala Herath on the 15th of November 2022.

State Minister Gamage, the Immigration and Emigration Controller, the Minister of Public Security, the General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the National Election Commission and its members, and the General Secretary of Parliament were cited as respondents in the petition.

(newsradio.lk)