Gemunu Wijeratne, President of the Ceylon Private Bus Owners’ Association, says that the minimum bus fare will have to be increased to Rs. 40 and all bus fares will have to be increased by 50 percent in the annual fare revision to take place next July.
He says the move comes amid rising fuel prices and other costs.
However, the bus unions are not expecting a revision of bus fares at the moment, he said.
There has been a lot of talk on social media regarding the use of a Land Cruiser jeep used by Saharan Hashim, who is believed to be the ringleader of the terrorist attack on Easter Sunday, by former Minister of Public Security Dr. Sarath Weerasekera
A senior official of the Ministry of Defense also confirmed that the vehicle had been used by former Minister Sarath Weerasekera since two months.
The vehicle is still in the possession of the former minister and has not yet been handed over to the ministry, the official said.
The car was found by the CID during an investigation into the Easter attack, the official said.
The vehicle which was in the custody of the CID was taken over by the government and was in the custody of the CID, the official said.
Later, the vehicle was exchanged with 02 other vehicles by the Ministry of Public Security, the official said.
The official further said that the vehicle taken to the Ministry of Public Defense was used by the then Minister of Public Defense.
A senior CID official said that although the police garage had informed them that the vehicle used by Saharan would be handed over to the Ministry of Defense and replaced by a jeep and a cab, the two vehicles had not yet been received.
In addition to this vehicle, several other vehicles were found in the possession of the Easter attackers and several of them, including this vehicle, have been taken over by the government and released for police use, the official said.
The vehicle was used by the CID’s police team investigating the Easter attack.
This vehicle which is used to travel for investigations belonged to Shangri-La bomber, the owner of the Wellampitiya Copper Factory, a resident of the Mahawila Park in Dematagoda, the official said.
Prima has increased the price of a kilo of wheat flour by Rs. 40.
The company has informed its representatives in this regard today.
A coalition of more than 300 trade unions and mass organizations has stated that they will launch a week-long hartal campaign across the country from tomorrow (20).
Accordingly, people in all cities islandwide have decided to join in the protests from tomorrow to the 28th, said Ravi Kumudesh on behalf of the Trade Unions and Mass Organizations.
He said 300 unions representing all sectors of the state, quasi-government and private sectors would go on a hartal for a week and then go on strike from the 28th.
Mr. Kumudesh also said that the trade unions will continue their actions and protests until the government takes a decision respecting the referendum.
He also requested the people to consider Wednesday as a day of national protest.
SriLankan Airlines records its first profitable fourth quarter (Q4) since 2006 for the financial year that ended on 31 March 2022 with a group net profit of USD 1.7 million despite pandemic challenges. The airline was able to achieve this financial turnaround through various measures in its 2021-22 financial year including scaling down staff costs and overheads; renegotiating supplier contracts; increasing cargo revenue; and creating an ambitious growth plan capitalizing on pent-up travel demand. The initiatives paid off, with SriLankan making its first monthly profit since the onset of COVID-19 in December 2021 and continuing with a profit in the final quarter. The airline now has accumulated over USD 12 million in profits over the last 4 months as traffic has returned after the pandemic.
SriLankan’s expansion initiative saw the launch of flights to several new destinations in the last year including Seoul; Moscow; Kathmandu and Paris. Frequencies were also gradually increased across the airline’s network in line with the recovery of the global travel industry and demand. The airline has also carried out major campaigns to boost tourism to the country including a major initiative in India, roadshows supporting new routes and most recently sponsoring the popular French annual adventure trail, Raid Amazones, in March of this year.
The airline is now back to 75 per cent of the passenger revenue it made pre-pandemic in Q4 of 2019-20. Correspondingly, passenger numbers also rose to near 700,000 for the quarter. The airline is making strong headway towards matching pre-pandemic levels as demand for international travel recovers. The payoff is not limited to the airline, as it remains by far the largest carrier of tourists to Sri Lanka. SriLankan is also a net foreign currency earner for the country owing to a sizeable share of its revenue being generated from international markets.
Reflecting on the significance of the airline to the country, Ashok Pathirage, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines stated, “For the past four decades, we have been flag bearers of the nation through thick and thin. SriLankan Airlines has not only prevailed through each challenging chapter that the country has had to navigate through, but endeavored to help the country back on its feet. From sustaining travel and trade links between Sri Lanka and the world as other airlines cut back on flights to Sri Lanka due to the country’s ongoing economic crisis to bringing down stranded Sri Lankans home during the thick of the pandemic in the recent past, SriLankan has always been a pillar of strength to the nation. The resilience of our legacy is really the resilience of our people, and I would like to thank every employee of SriLankan Airlines for their show of dedication and commitment that has seen us through difficult times.”
“We anticipate some headwinds in the first half of this financial year with high fuel prices and a short-term dip in demand to Sri Lanka. We have factored in these challenges and are working towards minimizing the impact with a strong business plan and a sound turnaround strategy to return to full-year profitability. Traffic is expected to recover fully by the end of the year as travel restrictions are eased off further. We will continue to support the tourism industry of Sri Lanka and be a catalyst for economic recovery,” added Richard Nuttall, Acting Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has decided to increase fuel prices with effect from midnight yesterday (18).
Revised prices are as follows.
Octane 92 Petrol: Rs. 84.00 (New Price: Rs. 338.00)
Octane 95 (Euro 4) Petrol: Rs. 90.00 (New Price: Rs. 373.00)
Diesel: Rs. 113.00 (New Price: Rs. 289.00)
Lanka Super Diesel 4 Star Euro 4: Rs. 75.00 (New Price: Rs. 329.00)
Fuel restrictions on cars, three-wheelers, motorcycles and vans have been lifted with effect from Monday (18).
The Patriotic United National Party (UNP) said in a statement that the forces posing for the return to power the poor governance in the name of Yahapalanaya are putting a show at the Galleface in a pseudo-neutral guise.
The Leader of the Patriotic United National Party (UNP) Sugath Hewapathirana has called on all leaders and patriotic people to forget narrow differences and unite in the name of the motherland and join hands to defeat the bogus forces.
Mr. Sugath Hewapathirana’s statement further stated that what needs to be done at this moment is not to shape the face of the American people or to make it happen ‘Go home Mahinda Rajapaksa, the slogan of the Diaspora, but to join hands unconditionally to protect the motherland.
Three other state ministers have been sworn in before the President today.
The other Ministers of State appointed today are as follows:
Diana Gamage – State Minister of Transport
Sitha Arambepola – State Minister of Education and Technology
Vijitha Berugoda – State Minister of Ports and Shipping
Accordingly, the number of new State Ministers sworn in today will increase to 24.
State Ministers Piyal Nishantha and Priyankara Jayaratne will continue to hold the portfolios.
Following is the full video of the President’s speech after the swearing in of the Cabinet Ministers at the Presidential Secretariat today.
21 state ministers have been sworn in before President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa today.
The posts of State Ministers were conferred as follows .
Channa Jayasumana, Minister of Health says that wearing masks in public places will not be mandatory from today (18).
However, wearing masks on public transportation and at home meetings is still mandatory.
Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal has been summoned by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court to appear in court on May 2.
The court has also extended the travel ban imposed on him until that day.
Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela today issued the order following the recall of a personal complaint lodged by former Governor Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon against Ajith Holiday Cabraal.
The group of 41 independent members of the ruling party has decided to sit as a separate group in parliament.
PJU leader Udaya Gammanpila stated that he would inform the Speaker in writing.
Accordingly, the 13 members representing the SLFP, members from the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna and 10 other parties, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s Independent MP Anura Yapa and the two members representing the Ceylon Workers Congress will sit as a separate group in Parliament. .
It is reported that the Kerawalapitiya gas storage terminal which was closed on New Year’s Day has been reopened today (18).
However, Litro Gas has stated that it will not distribute domestic gas cylinders today (18).
A gas tanker will arrive in the island today (18), Litro said.
The company had stated that it would distribute the stock of gas to the local market from tomorrow (19).
17 new cabinet ministers have been sworn in before President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
Accordingly, the new cabinet is as follows.
The Media Coalition states that a media center has been established at the premises of the People’s protest at the Galle Face Green in Colombo.
Accordingly, a number of activities will be carried out at the Media Center, including coordinating special programs conducted on a daily basis at the People’s protest’s premises, holding discussions with specific individuals and groups upon their arrival, and facilitating journalists who have come to cover the protest.
according to the media organization, the media center will hold daily news conferences, which will be broadcast live on social media in the future.
Former Minister of Mass Media and Information Dullas Alahapperuma says that he stands by the decision taken on the 3rd of April not to accept a cabinet ministerial post.
He points out that he believes the best option at this crucial juncture is an all-party government in parliament.
History also bears witness to this, says Dullas Alahapperuma.
However, MP Dullas Alahapperuma said that he congratulated the new cabinet to be formed soon with the majority of the youth.
Power cut durations across the country have been reduced deviating from the previous schedule for tomorrow (18).
Accordingly, the power cut will take only 3 hours and 20 minutes tomorrow.
The schedule is as follows.
en.newswave.lk-revised-e-revised-pwrint-schedule18042022
Lanka Indian Oil will increase the price of all types of petrol by Rs. 35 per liter and diesel by Rs. 75 per liter with effect from midnight today (17).
The Chief of Defense Staff and Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva told newswave.lk that the Army would only appear between the public in the event of a public disturbance if requested by the police.
The Army Commander also told us that the Army would never come between the public when there was no request from the Police.
However, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva had earlier stated that the Army is bound to protect the country in accordance with the Constitution.
The decision to extend school hours by one hour has been temporarily suspended, Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said.
The first term of 2022 in all government schools will resume tomorrow, April 18.
According to party sources, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is considering removing the party membership of Shantha Bandara, who was sworn in as the State Minister of Agriculture.
The sources say that the proposal will be discussed at the forthcoming Central Committee meeting.
Mr. Shantha Bandara was recently sworn in as the State Minister of Agriculture before the President, despite the SLFP’s decision to leave the government and function independently in Parliament.
As a result, Shantha Bandara was recently removed from all positions held by the party.
The Ministry of External Affairs has strongly stated that veteran comedian Bandu Samarasinghe will not be appointed as Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Milan.
The Ministry of External Affairs is making this announcement in response to recent reports on social media and some other media outlets.
Veteran singer Neela Wickramasinghe had previously been appointed to the post.
She died a few days after taking office.
Subsequently, it was reported that Mr. Bandu Samarasinghe had been nominated for the post.
The Ministry of External Affairs had issued the following statement in this regard today.
Bandu Samarasinghe will not be appointed Consul General of Milan
The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that Bandu Samarasinghe will not be appointed as the Consul General in Milan.
Ministry of External Affairs
the Colombo
President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa today instructed officials to resume the fuel refinery.
The President has also asked the government to submit a plan to import fuel for the next three months.
This has been stated by the Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Sumith Wijesinghe.
Airports and Aviation (Sri Lanka) (Pvt) Ltd has issued a statement regarding rumors that a Sri Lankan political dignitary has left the country at the Colombo International Airport in Ratmalana.
The following announcement was made by the Colombo International Airport.
Airports and Aviation (Sri Lanka) (Pvt) Ltd strongly denies rumors circulating on social media that a Sri Lankan political dignitary had left the Colombo International Airport on a private jet from Ratmalana today, April 16, 2022. “
Several rounds of discussions on current issues were held this morning (16) under the patronage of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
Minister of Finance Ali Sabri, Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Minister of State Shehan Semasinghe, Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Chief Adviser to the President Lalith Weeratunga, and Secretary to the Ministry of Finance K. M. M. Siriwardena were present at the first discussion.
Another discussion was held with officials from the Ministries of Finance, Energy and Health.
The Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) has decided not to support the no-confidence motion to be tabled by the Samagi Jana Balawewa against the government.
The party hopes to abstain from voting on the resolution, party chairman Maradapandi Rameshwaran said.
There are currently two Members of Parliament representing the Ceylon Workers Congress. They are Maradapandi Rameshwaran and Jeewan Thondaman.
Both of them are now independent MPs.
The Colombo Stock Exchange has decided to close for five working days from next Monday (18).
That is after considering the current situation in that country.
Israel’s security forces have successfully tested a state-of-the-art laser missile defense system.
Israeli Prime Minister Naphtali Bennett said the new defense system would be able to prevent mortar, rocket and even anti-tank missile strikes.
Israel’s new missile defense system has been dubbed the Iron Beam and is expected to replace the Iron Dome missile defense system used in the country.
It may sound like science fiction all of a sudden, but it’s true. ” The Prime Minister of Israel has stated.
This new iron beam missile defense system is capable of repelling enemy missile attacks without making any noise. The Israeli security forces also said that the laser beam could not be seen by the human eye at once. The new missile defense system will cost only US $ 3 and 50 cents to prevent a single missile attack, the prime minister said.
The missile defense system is designed to be activated on land, air and sea and is expected to be deployed across Israeli borders within the next decade.
Israel is currently using the Iron Dome defense system to protect itself from rocket and missile attacks on the country. Israel says it has 90 percent success and has been able to successfully repel recent rocket attacks from Palestine.
However, the Iron Dome defense system currently in use is expensive and costs a lot of money to prevent a single missile or rocket attack. Accordingly, it is believed that this new laser protection system will be very successful.
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