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Sri Lanka to meet Chinese Exim Bank officials to revive Central Expressway project

Published

2 weeks ago

March 9, 2025

editor

Sri Lankan officials are set to meet representatives from China’s Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank) today to discuss the resumption of the Central Expressway construction, Transport and Highways Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced on Friday.

The discussions aim to restart the first phase of the Expressway project, which has faced significant delays in recent years.

The Central Expressway, estimated to cost approximately Rs. 122 billion, has been stalled since construction companies abandoned the work.

The loan agreement for the first phase, valued at $989 million, was signed in March 2019, with construction beginning in September 2020.

However, the project was halted after Sri Lanka defaulted on its debt, leading to financial repercussions, including compensation claims.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake raised the issue during his visit to China, and negotiations are ongoing to reduce compensation costs.

Minister Rathnayake expressed optimism about reviving the project and highlighted efforts to resume other stalled infrastructure initiatives, including the Port Access Elevated Highway, Kandy Multimodal Transport Terminal, and Mattala Airport.

In a related development, Rathnayake announced plans to introduce card payment facilities on the Southern Expressway by April, enhancing convenience for motorists.

The Road Development Authority is working to implement the system, marking a step towards modernizing Sri Lanka’s transportation infrastructure.

News

SLTB drivers return to original roles

Published

6 hours ago

March 25, 2025

editor

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has decided to reassign drivers and conductors who were previously engaged in various other duties.

This decision comes into effect today as announced by Deputy Minister of Transport, Prasanna Kumara Gunasena.

Deputy Minister Gunasena revealed that political interference had led to the assignment of drivers and conductors to various non-related duties.

An investigation uncovered that 333 drivers were affected by these political appointments.

To ensure the fitness and readiness of these drivers for their original roles, they will undergo medical examinations at the National Transport Medical Institute.

Based on the results of these examinations, the drivers will be reassigned to their driving duties.

(News1st)

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Prof. Gananath Obeyesekere bids adieu

Published

6 hours ago

March 25, 2025

editor

Professor Gananath Obeyesekere, a distinguished academic and former Head of Anthropology at Princeton University, has passed away at the age of 95.

He earned his BA in English from the University of Peradeniya in 1955, followed by an MA in 1958 and a PhD in 1964 from the University of Washington.

Prior to his tenure at Princeton University from 1980 to 2000, Prof. Obeyesekere held prestigious academic positions in Sri Lanka, the University of Washington, and the University of California, San Diego.

Among his popular books are Land Tenure in Village Ceylon, Medusa’s Hair, The Cult of the Goddess Pattini, Buddhism Transformed (coauthor), The Work of Culture, The Apotheosis of Captain Cook: European Mythmaking in the Pacific, and Making Karma.

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NPP MPs submit letter to remove Deshabandu

Published

6 hours ago

March 25, 2025

editor

National People’s Power (NPP) MPs have signed a letter to remove suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon from office.

A total of 115 MPs endorsed the letter, which was submitted to the Speaker this afternoon (March 25).

Tennakoon is currently in remand custody in connection with a 2023 shooting incident that took place outside the W15 hotel in Weligama, which resulted in the death of an officer from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).

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