News

Yoshitha yet to return 2 firearms

Published

5 months ago

January 30, 2025

editor

Defence Secretary Sampath Thuiyacontha yesterday said that five out of seven firearms issued to Yoshitha Rajapaksa have been handed over to the Government.

He said that Rajapaksa has been informed to return one of the two remaining firearms to the Government. The Defence Secretary said that one firearm will be provided to him after obtaining an intelligence report.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Defence Ministry premises yesterday, Thuiyacontha said that 1,368 out of 1,697 firearms issued by the Defence Ministry for personal security of individuals have been returned and 182 persons have failed to return their firearms to the Government.

“A survey conducted by us has found that some individuals have been issued more than one firearm by the government and a decision has been taken to issue only one firearm to a person based on the intelligence report over the threat to his life,” he said.

He stressed that a firearm is issued to a person if an intelligence report confirms that the latter is facing a threat to his life. He added that details of some persons are not available in the census due to overseas travel and other reasons.

The Defence Secretary stated that security is provided to former presidents after a comprehensive security assessment and intelligence reports have verified that there is no likelihood of a drone attack targeting former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

(dailynews.lk)
(This story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Seat belt compulsory for bus drivers from today

Published

1 hour ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has announced that starting today (July 01), it will be mandatory for all bus drivers to wear seat belts, with strict penalties for non-compliance.

Under the MotorTraffic Act, bus drivers are legally required to wear seat belts, but a rise in accidents due to drivers ignoring this rule has prompted the authorities to re-enforce it.

Police confirmed that action will be taken against drivers who fail to comply.

Seat belts to be made mandatory for all passengers in expressways

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport has also stated that wearing seat belts will be made mandatory to all passengers of light vehicles travelling on expressways from August 01, 2025.

Meanwhile, wearing seat belts will also be mandatory to all passengers of all vehicles on expressways from September 01, 2025.

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake also confirmed the directive while speaking to media this morning (July 01) during an inspection tour at the Colombo Central Bus Stand.

BIZ

End of parate relief for large SMEs

Published

1 hour ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The grace period granted to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) under Sri Lanka’s Parate Execution Law officially ended midnight yesterday (June 30) for businesses with loans exceeding Rs. 50 million.

The Parate Law grants banks the authority to seize properties pledged as collateral without court proceedings. Although its implementation had been suspended for three months by the current administration—and for six months earlier under former President Ranil Wickremesinghe—it has now been reinstated, triggering serious concern among entrepreneurs.

Deputy Minister of Economic Development – Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando has stated that the government intends to hold discussions with all relevant parties in the coming days to address the issues linked to the law’s reimplementation.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader – Sajith Premadasa has warned that the re-implementation of the Parate Execution Law could lead to the rapid auctioning of assets from small, medium, and micro businesses, putting them at risk.

In a statement yesterday (June 30), he emphasized that these businesses contribute over 50% to Sri Lanka’s Gross Domestic Production (GDP) and employ over 04 million people.

News

Ex-SriLankan Airlines chief produced before court

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by prison officials today (July 01).

Wickramasinghe was arrested last week by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and is currently in remand custody,