News

SL’s maiden apple harvest presented to President

Published

3 years ago

October 20, 2022

editor

The maiden harvest of a green apple plantation in Sri Lanka was presented to President Ranil Wickremesinghe this morning (20) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The apples were cultivated by farmer M.P. Lakshman Kumara, on two acres of land in Thambuttegama, Galgamuwa.

The President inquired about his apple farm and said that he intends to visit the farm in the near future.

Mr Laxman Kumara told the president that the apple seeds were imported to Sri Lanka and following proper testing, he had initiated the apple cultivation.

He also told the President that it is possible to produce and provide the seeds needed to popularize this cultivation and that these seeds have been produced in a manner that they can be cultivated in any part of Sri Lanka.

Having accepted the green apples presented to him, the President also made it a point to taste them.

Senior Presidential Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayake, former Minister of State Champika Premadasa and P.J. Asanka Lionel were present on this occasion.

News

Bus associations oppose proposal of 2% fare reduction

Published

16 minutes 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

21 minutes 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

27 minutes 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.