Connect with us

News

Seat-only rule for buses withdrawn

Published

on

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the law on transporting passengers according to the number of seats will be removed from today (06) and the Transport Minister will be informed of this decision in writing.

In view of the rapid spread of Covid-19 pandemic, the Director General of Health Services imposed a law to limit passengers to the number of bus seats. This resulted in a 20 per cent increase in bus fares.

However, at the end of the pandemic, only 10 per cent of the increased percentage was reduced.

Today, the said law is not in force and the National Transport Commission (NTC) has requested the Director General of Health Services on many occasions to reduce the 10 per cent increase.

Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana has told Health Minister Rambukwella yesterday that the price of diesel has decreased by 15 rupees recently and by 10 rupees earlier.

In total, this amount is a 3.8 per cent of a reduction and in order to reduce bus fares, there should be a decrease of at least 4 per cent.

Therefore, the Transport Minister has further said that there is a possibility of reducing bus fares if the Health Ministry withdraws the law on limiting passengers to the number of bus seats.

If the total percentage of 13.8 is reduced in this manner, the current minimum bus fare of 34 rupees can be reduced by five rupees and other fares will also be reduced similarly, the NTC said.

The NTC said steps would be taken to provide the concession of the bus fare reduction to the passengers as soon as it was officially notified that the law has been removed.

(Aruna)

News

Civil Defence officer arrested over shooting of Perahera elephant

Published

on

By

A Civil Defence Department officer attached to the Mapakada Wewa Wildlife Regional Office has been arrested in connection with the shooting of a female elephant that had participated in the annual Randoli Perahera of Mahiyanganaya Rajamaha Viharaya.

Police spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa said a statement is being recorded from the said officer.

The incident has taken place at around 3:30 a.m. this morning.

It was reported that following the procession, the female elephant had been tied to a tree on the banks of the Mahaweli River.

The mahout, who said he was having breakfast when the incident happened, accused the officer of shooting the elephant despite people telling him that ‘Sita’ was not a wild elephant.

The officer in question had shot ‘Sita’ after mistaking it for a wild elephant that had crossed the river.

The injured 48-year-old elephant was later treated by veterinary surgeons of the Wildlife Conservation Department.

In a statement, the Director General of the Wildlife Conservation Department, M.G.C. Sooriyabandara had clarified that one of the wildlife officers at the site had mistakenly fired rubber bullets at the female elephant ‘Sita’ while trying to scare off the wild elephants in the vicinity.

Continue Reading

News

Landslide warnings extended

Published

on

By

The Department of Irrigation says that the water levels in the Kelani River and Attanagalu Oya are rising to levels that requires attention.

Director of the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Irrigation Department S. P. C. Sugeeshwara says that the Gin, Nilwala and Kalu Ganga remain at the flood level.

Many roads in the vicinity of the rivers have been inundated.

S. P. C Sugeeshwara warns that people should refrain from further using the rivers.

The landslide warnings issued to seven districts have also been extended, due to the prevailing weather conditions.

The Met Department predicts that the heavy showers in the South West will continue.

Heavy showers of about 75 mm can be expected in some areas.

Continue Reading

News

“SLPP Leadership can change if needed”

Published

on

By

Former President Mahinda Rajapaska yesterday said that there should be a change in the leadership of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), if the need arises.

When the former President was asked about the veracity of the news on social media about imminent change of the SLPP leadership, said that he is not aware of any change in the leadership. 

The President was speaking to the media after calling on Mahanayake Thera of the Rammanya Maha Nikaya Most Ven. Makulewe Sri Wimala Thera at the Vidyawasa Pirivena in Meerigama yesterday.

Commenting on the impending regulations on social media, the former President said that there are pros and cons in the social media. “I don’t have any issue with the social media,” he said. 

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa also visited the Sacred Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya and participated in religious activities. The Former President also met Chief incumbent of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya Ven. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkitha Thera and received his blessings.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, the former President said that he is physically fit despite social media reports to the contrary.

(dailynews.lk)

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2022 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved