News

Today marks International Workers’ Day

Published

2 weeks ago

May 1, 2025

editor

Today (May 01) marks the International Workers’ Day.

May 01 commemorates the 1886 protest in Chicago’s Haymarket Square where workers demanding an eight-hour workday were met with gunfire. The Second International, convened in 1889, later declared May 1 as International Workers’ Day to honour those who lost their lives in that struggle.

In his official May Day message, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayake has called on the country’s workers to stand in solidarity during this period whether country is undergoing political and economic transformation.

“As we restore and reform an economy devastated by decades of corrupt politics, I warmly invite our beloved working people to join hands in solidarity, to rise with determination and to strive towards building ‘a beautiful life and a thriving nation’ for everyone. On this occasion, I offer my heartfelt best wishes for a meaningful International Workers’ Day — one that reaffirms the rights and dignity of all working people,” he has said.

According to the police, at least 15 May Day processions, commemorative events and rallies are scheduled to be held in Colombo today and police have also implemented special security measures and a traffic plan.

Meanwhile, the Excise Department has announced that retail liquor sales outlets functioning within divisional secretariat areas where May Day events are being organised, will remain closed today.

News

PC suspended for WhatsApping confidential police info

Published

2 hours ago

May 15, 2025

editor

.A constable attached to the Parliamentary Security Division has been suspended for allegedly sharing confidential police information through a WhatsApp group, violating official protocols.

According to Police Headquarters, the suspect had been operating a WhatsApp group under the name “CRTM / RTM message No. 3” on his personal phone without authorization from senior officers.

Investigations revealed that several members of the group were civilians or unaffiliated with the police, and that sensitive internal communications meant for police personnel were shared with unauthorized individuals.

The SSP, Director of the Parliamentary Security Division, has suspended the constable for breaching discipline by irresponsibly disclosing confidential police matters to outsiders.

News

DMT holds “Vehicle tuning dansala” for Vesak

Published

3 hours ago

May 15, 2025

editor

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has organized a special “vehicle tuning Dansala” to be held today and tomorrow (May 15 and 16) in front of its head office in Narahenpita.

In an official statement, the department noted that old motorcycles and three-wheelers – comprising the majority of Sri Lanka’s vehicle population – often lack systematic maintenance due to economic constraints, leading to harmful emissions.

The initiative, organized for the third time by the DMT’s Motor Vehicle Emissions Trust Fund, aims to address this issue.

Free tuning services for motorcycles and three-wheelers will be provided at the dansala, with support from some of Sri Lanka’s most experienced vehicle technicians.

Through this effort, the DMT hopes to improve fuel efficiency, reduce unnecessary fuel expenses, and minimize harmful emissions.

News

New conditions for bus imports from Jan. 2026

Published

3 hours ago

May 15, 2025

editor

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation – Bimal Rathnayake has announced that the government will implement new regulations for the import of public transport buses starting January next year.

Speaking at a media briefing yesterday (May 14), the Minister stated that under the revised guidelines, only buses meeting modern safety and quality standards will be approved for import.

He further stated that the Ministry of Transport will begin inspections to ensure all public transport vehicles currently in operation comply with required safety and operational standards.