Despite the Rs. 10 reduction in petrol prices, there is no possibility of lowering

The All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Association (AITWA) has said that it will not be possible to reduces three-wheeler fares, despite yesterday’s reduction on petrol prices.

AITWA President Lalith Dharmasekara has said that instead of reducing fares, the government should intervene to introduce formal regulations to provide a more efficient service to the public.

Noting that petrol prices have only decreased by Rs. 10 per litre, reducing fares by 50 cents per kilometre is not practical, he has pointed out.

A new government initiative aimed at ensuring food security and making nutritious meals affordable for the public was officially launched today (April 01) at the “Palessa” restaurant of the National Food Promotion Board in Narahenpita.

This project is being implemented in collaboration with the National Food Promotion Board, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture. It also involves the support of existing restaurant businesses and is integrated with the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme.

Through this initiative, people can now enjoy specially prepared nutritious meals for as low as Rs. 200. The government also plans to introduce this balanced meal package to both public and private restaurants in the near future.

In addition to cooked meals, a variety of packaged local food products and nutritious snacks will also be made available to the public at affordable prices.

The event’s special guest, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, K.D. Lalkantha, emphasized the importance of providing the public with high-quality, healthy, and sufficient meals. He stated that the project was launched in collaboration with the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme to guide the public and promote a positive shift in the commercial food sector.

The event was attended by Senior Additional Secretary  to the President S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, Director Nutrition Division of the Ministry of Health Dr. Monika Wijeratne, senior officials from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, and the National Food Promotion Board, as well as business representatives from the private sector.

(President’s Media Division)

The Court of Appeal today (April 01) has directed the relevant Returning Officers to suspend the election activities in Local Government institutions where political parties and independent groups have filed petitions challenging the rejection of nomination papers.

This order applies only to LG institutions where the rejection of nominations has been challenged in court.

After considering several petitions, the Court of Appeal bench, comprising Justice (Acting President) M.T. Mohammed Laffar and Justice K.P. Fernando, issued this order which will be effective until tomorrow (April 02).

The petitions were submitted by several parties including ‘Sarvajana Balaya’ alliance and the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) challenging the rejection of their nominations for several local government institutions, including the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).