News

Schoolbus given by Bandula stops plying after just 1 day

Published

2 years ago

May 12, 2023

editor

Residents of Polonnaruwa alleged that the SLTB bus allocated to Polonnaruwa depot to transport children from remote villages in Polonnaruwa has been stopped.

Although the bus was given at a ceremony held in the village on May 9 with the participation of Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana, it has been stopped plying the next day.

Out of 500 buses received under the loan facility from India, 16 buses were given to the Polonnaruwa Depot. One out of the 16 buses was reserved for school children in the remote villages of Galthalawa in Welikanda, Rideepokuna, Aluthwewa, Ginidamana, Nelumwewa and Borawewa.

The parents said that although the children were transported to school by that bus on May 10, the children were not brought back home by the same bus and they had to come by other buses.

Meanwhile, Polonnaruwa SLTB Depot Superintendent D.A. Premasiri has told the media that it is not possible to run the bus in question due to the lack of employees, and that the bus will be operated again in the future.

SLPP MP Jagath Samarawickremane, who was present at the ceremony to handover the bus, told the media that eight out of the 16 buses were not plying due to the lack of drivers.

(Source – Aruna)

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.