News

President AKD – Australian Dy. Prime Minister meet

Published

3 weeks ago

June 3, 2025

editor

President Anura Kumara Disanayake held discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia Richard Marles at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (June 03).

The meeting focused on further strengthening the historic ties between Sri Lanka and Australia, with a particular emphasis on enhancing bilateral cooperation.

President Disanayake highlighted Sri Lanka’s progress towards economic stability and briefed Deputy Prime Minister Marles on the government’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and fraud. He also expressed appreciation for the Australian Government’s support in recent maritime security operations and its assistance in addressing illegal trade, human trafficking, terrorism and arms smuggling. The President further reaffirmed that Sri Lanka remains a secure destination for tourism and investment.

Deputy Prime Minister Marles, reflecting on the 70-year economic and political relationship between the two countries, conveyed Australia’s commitment to working closely with Sri Lanka’s new administration.

He praised the government’s anti-corruption initiatives and emphasized that enhancing trade, economic, political, tourism and investment relations was a central objective of his visit.

The Australian delegation included Mr Paul Stephens, Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka; Mr Gregory Laurence Moriarty, Secretary of the Department of Defence; Mr Simon Eric O’Connor, Senior Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister; and Ms Lalita Kapur, Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. Representing Sri Lanka were Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President and Mr Roshan Gamage, Additional Secretary to the President.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Bus associations oppose proposal of 2% fare reduction

Published

3 hours ago

June 25, 2025

editor

The government’s proposal to reduce bus fares by a 2% effective from July 01 has led to the strong disapproval of bus associations, reports say.

It was also proposed not to revise the minimum fare.

The announcement was made during a meeting between officials of the Transport Ministry and representatives of private bus associations to discuss the annual bus fare revision, scheduled for July 01.

News

UN Rights chief meets families of missing persons

Published

3 hours ago

June 25, 2025

editor

A group of activists and families of missing persons handed over letters and memorandums to the visiting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk in Trincomalee today (June 25).

UN Human Rights Spokesperson – Jeremy Laurence, who is accompanying the High Commissioner, said while in Trincomalee that Mr. Volker Turk expressed sorrow and solidarity with the families of the disappeared.

Meanwhile, a peaceful demonstration was also held in Trincomalee during this visit, where a group of activists and victims of disappearances was seen holding placards and banners.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will visit Kandy before concluding his official visit to Sri Lanka tomorrow (June 26) after a special press briefing in Colombo.

News

200 new super luxury buses to be procured for expressways

Published

3 hours ago

June 25, 2025

editor

There is an urgent need to introduce new buses to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus fleet, as nearly 52% of the regular bus fleet of the Sri Lanka Transport Board and nearly 94% of the luxury bus fleet have exceeded the economic life span.

As to the insufficient buses to meet the passenger demand on the expressway, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) is currently operating 61 luxury buses belonging to the private sector on a profit-sharing basis.

Therefore, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has decided to purchase 200 new super-luxury buses by using their own funds.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, Port and Civil Aviation to purchase 29 super luxury buses through the financially capable depots and to purchase the remaining buses by making a down payment using SLTB funds and the balance to be paid in monthly instalments over a period of 5 years.