President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stated that Sri Lanka’s entire transport system must undergo a rapid transformation to establish a more efficient, safe and technologically advanced network that delivers a dignified and reliable service to the public.

The President made these remarks during a meeting held yesterday morning (12) at the Presidential Secretariat with officials of the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

During the meeting, the President was briefed on a strategic plan prepared by the Ministry based on five key pillars: economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability, digital transformation, social equity and accessibility, and safety and security, aimed at revitalising the transport sector.

As part of efforts to address severe traffic congestion in Colombo, the government plans to introduce the Lanka Metro Transit bus service. The necessary infrastructure is currently under development, and the buses are expected to arrive in the country by August this year.

The project will initially be implemented as a pilot along six main roads surrounding Colombo, beginning in the Western Province before expanding to the Galle and Kandy districts. Within the next three years, the service is expected to extend to eight major cities. The pilot aims to reduce the daily influx of private vehicles into Colombo and encourage greater use of public transport.

The President stressed that identifying and maintaining dedicated bus priority lanes will be critical to the success of the initiative.

He also highlighted the need to replace the fragmented existing bus system with transport companies operating under a cluster model to improve service quality. Emphasising a service-oriented approach, the President noted that the public is primarily concerned with access to quality transportation, rather than the structure through which it is delivered.

Observing that Sri Lanka’s cities evolved without systematic planning, the President said transport management within the existing urban framework must be handled carefully, and described the bus cluster model as the most practical solution.

Under the proposed system, companies would be established to deploy buses, with government support available if profitability challenges arise. He further stressed the importance of formal agreements between bus owners, companies and the government to ensure uninterrupted services, noting that this approach would be more cost-effective than purchasing new buses outright.

The President also underscored the importance of developing Multi-modal Transport Hubs (MTH) linked to the railway network to integrate different modes of transport. Discussions included modernising the Kelani Valley Railway line and introducing an electronic system for the expressway network.

Special attention was given to employee welfare in the transport sector. The President emphasised the need for structured service conditions, formal appointment letters and systematic welfare measures, particularly for private sector workers, to ensure dignity and job security.

The meeting also reviewed the on-site fine system and the demerit point mechanism. Although driving licences with embedded chips have been issued for the past decade, the absence of supporting technological software has rendered the demerit point system ineffective. With the introduction of Gov.pay, officials noted that a fully operational mechanism could be implemented within six to seven months.

A regulatory framework for three-wheelers, taxis and school vans has been developed and is expected to be presented following consultations with stakeholders.

Issues concerning the ‘Sisu Sariya’ school bus service were also discussed. It was noted that LKR 2,200 million was allocated for the programme in 2025, of which LKR 500 million remained unutilised. Discussions focused on improving efficiency and expanding the service to deliver greater benefits to students.

The establishment of a National Centre for Transport Research and Development, bringing together all transport sector institutions under one platform, was also proposed.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake; Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena; Secretary to the Ministry Senior Professor Kapila Perera; senior officials of the Ministry; and heads and senior officers of affiliated institutions, including Sri Lanka Railways, the Department of Motor Traffic, the National Transport Commission and the Sri Lanka Transport Board.

By : Ovindi Vishmika

February 12, LNW (Colombo): Former Minister Johnston Fernando was produced before the Colombo High Court from remand custody as proceedings continued in the long-running corruption case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over the alleged misuse of Lanka Sathosa employees for political activities.

The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal, who fixed March 6 as the next date for the continuation of recording evidence. Fernando and his coordinating secretary, Mohamed Shakir, are currently in remand custody in connection with a separate case before the Welisara/Wattala Magistrate’s Court and were accordingly produced before the High Court.

CIABOC has indicted former Minister Johnston Fernando, former Lanka Sathosa Chairman Eraj Fernando, and coordinating secretary Mohamed Shakir, alleging that during Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Trade, Cooperatives and Internal Trade between 2010 and 2014, 153 employees of Lanka Sathosa were unlawfully removed from their official duties and deployed for political work. The prosecution maintains that this resulted in a financial loss of approximately Rs. 40 million to the state, constituting an offence under Section 70 of the Bribery Act.

The case has seen multiple adjournments over the years, with several High Court judges recording witness testimony and issuing directives for the production of the accused when they were in remand custody in other matters. Arrest warrants had also been issued and later recalled in the past due to Fernando’s failure to appear in court, after explanations were provided by defence counsel.

In parallel developments, Fernando and his two sons are among five suspects currently remanded in a separate Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) case relating to the alleged misuse of a Lanka Sathosa vehicle. That matter is being heard before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, which has ordered the suspects to remain in remand custody pending further investigations.

The Colombo High Court is expected to resume hearing further prosecution witnesses in the Sathosa misuse case on the next scheduled date, with instructions that arrangements be made to produce the accused from remand if they remain in custody.

February 12, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced a temporary suspension of passport and visa processing after a technical fault disrupted its computer systems earlier today.

In a public notice, the Department stated that the interruption was caused by an unexpected system malfunction, affecting both on-site and certain online services. Officials said technical teams are working urgently to diagnose and rectify the problem in order to restore normal operations at the earliest opportunity.

The disruption has reportedly led to delays for applicants who had scheduled appointments, with some being advised to await further updates before visiting departmental offices. Authorities assured the public that once the system is fully restored, services will resume without delay and additional arrangements may be introduced to accommodate those affected.

The Department apologised for the inconvenience caused and emphasised that efforts are under way to ensure the integrity and security of all data during the restoration process.

Members of the public seeking clarification or urgent assistance have been advised to contact the Department via telephone on 011 210 1540 or 011 210 1545. Further updates will also be made available through the Department’s official website.

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By: Isuru Parakrama

February 12, Colombo (LNW): The Government has initiated legal proceedings concerning alleged unlawful activities at the Ambuluwawa site in Gampola, with the Ministries of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Justice jointly overseeing the process.

Minister Lal Kantha, addressing reporters, confirmed that long-standing concerns raised by residents and community groups have prompted formal intervention. Over the years, locals had repeatedly called for authorities to examine certain developments and activities at the multi-religious and cultural complex, claiming that some works may have breached planning and regulatory requirements.

The Minister stated that while public frustration is understandable, due process must be observed. “People expect immediate action when irregularities surface, but we must proceed in accordance with the law,” he said, stressing that enforcement would be carried out within the legal framework rather than through arbitrary measures.

He added that investigators are reviewing documentation related to construction approvals, allocation of state funds and administrative oversight linked to the site. If wrongdoing is established, action will not be limited to lower-level officials.

In response to questions regarding the possible misuse of public funds, Minister Lal Kantha indicated that both public servants and elected representatives could face scrutiny if credible complaints are substantiated. “Accountability applies across the board,” he noted, adding that legal steps would be based on evidence already submitted to the relevant authorities.

The Minister further observed that in the past, individuals may have hesitated to lodge formal complaints due to perceived political pressure. However, he said there has been a noticeable increase in citizens coming forward with information, which he described as a positive sign for transparency and governance.

Ambuluwawa, known for its distinctive tower and multi-faith symbolism, has long been a popular attraction. Officials say that safeguarding its integrity — both cultural and legal — remains a priority as inquiries continue.

February 12, Colombo (LNW): Australia has expressed its readiness to assist Sri Lanka in pursuing membership of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest free trade arrangement encompassing 15 countries and roughly 30 per cent of global GDP and population.

Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Matthew Duckworth, said Canberra would be “very pleased” to provide technical guidance and capacity-building support should Colombo move forward with efforts to accede to the pact.

He made the remarks during a roundtable hosted by the Pathfinder Foundation, where regional trade integration and economic reform were high on the agenda.

RCEP, signed in November 2020, unites the ten ASEAN member states — Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam — with five key Asia-Pacific partners: China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

The agreement aims to streamline trade rules, reduce tariffs and deepen economic cooperation across one of the most dynamic regions in the world.

Responding to questions about Sri Lanka’s exploratory discussions on joining the bloc, Mr Duckworth welcomed the interest and said Australia stands ready to share its experience in meeting RCEP standards, including regulatory alignment, trade facilitation and customs modernisation.

Addressing concerns about India’s decision not to join RCEP, the High Commissioner noted that Australia maintains both RCEP membership and a separate bilateral trade agreement with India. Negotiations are also under way to further enhance that pact. He stressed that there is no inherent conflict between participating in RCEP and sustaining robust trade relations with India.

“India was closely involved in shaping many aspects of RCEP before opting out,” he observed, adding that Australia would welcome New Delhi’s participation in the future should it reconsider its position. He maintained that Sri Lanka could similarly balance engagement with RCEP while strengthening its economic partnership with India.

Highlighting practical examples of complementary trade, Mr Duckworth pointed to the lentil supply chain between Australia and Sri Lanka. While Australia produces high-quality lentils, processing costs are comparatively high. Sri Lankan firms import the raw product, undertake splitting and packaging locally, and re-export to regional markets — creating value, employment and export earnings for both countries.

He suggested that similar collaborative ventures could be expanded, particularly given Sri Lanka’s strategic location and the global standing of the Port of Colombo as a major transshipment hub.

With the right policy framework and trade access, he said, Sri Lanka could position itself as a competitive processing and logistics centre serving the wider Indo-Pacific region.

Economic analysts at the forum noted that closer integration with regional supply chains could provide Sri Lanka with fresh momentum for export-led growth, provided domestic reforms keep pace with international commitments.