News

Sri Lanka celebrates 77th National Independence Day (Pics)

Published

5 months ago

February 4, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka celebrates the 77th National Independence Day today (Feb. 04).

The 77th National Independence Day celebration under the theme ‘Rallying for National Renaissance’ was held today at Independence Square in Colombo under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

This year, the government had announced several measures aimed at cutting costs while ensuring greater public participation.

Accordingly, only 1,873 Tri-Forces military personnel participated in the Independence Day celebrations in comparison to 3,384 who participated last year, reduced by 1,511 soldiers.

The Government had also decided not to use armoured vehicles of the Tri-Forces for this year.

Only 03 aircraft belonging to the Air Force were used this year, in contrast to the 19 aircraft used last year.

While the national flag is to be hoisted at state institutions from February 01 to 07, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry had decided to scrap electric light decorations at the institutions.

The Prisons Department stated that 285 prisoners will be released today to mark the 77th Independence Day under a special state pardon. Today will be an open day at the prisons for relatives to visit the inmates.

News

Bus associations oppose proposal of 2% fare reduction

Published

2 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 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.

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UN Rights chief meets families of missing persons

Published

2 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

3 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.