News

Stable Tourism Policy will be introduced: Harin

Published

2 years ago

August 15, 2023

editor

A Policy for Tourism that does not change when the Government or the politicians are changed would be introduced soon, Tourism and Lands Minister Harin Fernando said.

The minister said this policy, which was prepared after extensive study by the experts in the field, has now been forwarded to the Cabinet.

He said the policy will be presented to the country in the next two weeks.

The minister further said the development of the tourism sector would be a major approach to solve the US Dollar crisis in the country.

Meanwhile, he said that a programme is expected to be introduced in the future to reduce the traffic in places that have gained tourist attraction in Sri Lanka and a special programme has been planned to ensure the safety of tourists together with the Ministry of Public Security.

The minister said that a mobile phone app will be introduced for the convenience of tourists as well as a formal programme to prevent various inconveniences faced by foreign tourists.

News

Bus associations oppose proposal of 2% fare reduction

Published

4 hours 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 fares of the first two stages.

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.

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UN Rights chief meets families of missing persons

Published

4 hours 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

4 hours 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.