By: Isuru Parakrama

October 22, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of a new chairman and members to the National Transport Commission (NTC), as confirmed by Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath.

Dr. Bandura Dileepa Witharana, a Senior Lecturer at the Open University of Sri Lanka, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the NTC. His extensive academic background is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the Commission’s activities.

Joining him on the commission are W. Ravi Prasad De Mel, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Dr. Namali Tharanga Sirisoma, a Senior Lecturer at Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, and A.I.U. Perera, Commissioner of the Inland Revenue Department.

These appointments, made in accordance with the National Transport Commission Act of 1991, are part of a broader effort to strengthen the governance of Sri Lanka’s transport sector.

The Act stipulates that the Commission is composed of eight members, three of whom are appointed ex officio to represent the Ministries of Transport, Policy Planning, and Finance.

The remaining five members, including the Chairman, are selected by the Minister of Transport with Cabinet approval for a term of three years.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 22, Colombo (LNW): Attorneys representing former SLPP MP Johnston Fernando have informed the Court of Appeal that their client will voluntarily appear before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) tomorrow (23) to provide a statement regarding an unregistered luxury vehicle allegedly linked to him.

The vehicle was discovered parked at a high-end hotel in Colombo, raising questions about its ownership.

The case stems from a petition filed by Fernando, who sought legal intervention to prevent his arrest in connection with the incident.

His legal team made the announcement during a court hearing today, assuring the court of Fernando’s cooperation with the ongoing investigation.

The Court of Appeal, after hearing submissions, scheduled the petition for further consideration on October 25.

The court’s decision will be closely watched as it could impact the next steps in the investigation into the origins of the unregistered luxury vehicle.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 22, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet of Ministers has officially designated the development of the Colombo Port’s Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) as a “special project,” a move aimed at accelerating its progress and enhancing its strategic significance.

The proposal, put forward by Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, Vijitha Herath, received unanimous approval.

This declaration marks a critical step in the continued development of the ECT, which forms part of the larger Colombo South Development Project.

Under the original decision made in February 2021, the Eastern Container Terminal was to be developed in phases by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), with full ownership retained by the authority.

Since then, considerable progress has been made.

Speaking at a press conference held earlier today (22), Minister Herath confirmed that the contract for civil works on the terminal had already been awarded and construction was well underway.

This significant infrastructure project is expected to bolster the Colombo Port’s capacity and further strengthen Sri Lanka’s position as a key player in regional and global maritime trade.

In addition to civil works, the procurement of cranes for the terminal has also been finalised, marking another crucial step in equipping the facility with the necessary tools to handle large-scale container operations.

The project is anticipated to boost the efficiency of the port, enabling it to accommodate larger vessels and facilitate increased cargo volumes.

Minister Herath also highlighted the array of tax concessions provided to private terminal operators and service providers involved in the project.

These incentives, offered under the Strategic Development Act and the Board of Investment (BOI) Law, are designed to attract private investment and ensure the project’s financial viability while aligning with national development goals.

This initiative is expected to not only enhance the country’s shipping and logistics infrastructure but also contribute to Sri Lanka’s long-term economic growth by fostering trade and investment opportunities.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 22, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Agriculture has initiated efforts to recover a significant sum of Rs. 660 million, deposited as a security for a private building in Rajagiriya during a previous government’s tenure.

M.P.N.M. Wickremesinghe, the current Secretary to the Ministry, revealed that legal advice from the Attorney General’s Department is being sought to address this financial irregularity.

The building, which was rented for ministry use under the Good Governance (Yahapalanaya) Government, has been at the centre of controversy due to the handling of the rental deposit.

Speaking to the media, Wickremesinghe confirmed that despite the building having been vacated some years ago, the substantial deposit remains unaccounted for.

The Secretary pointed out that typical procedure requires a bond to be secured from a bank for such transactions, but this crucial step appears to have been overlooked.

The ministry has uncovered various irregularities related to the transaction, Wickremesinghe further disclosed, adding that the building was rented during the tenure of former Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake at a staggering Rs. 21 million per month.

At the time, the arrangement faced public scrutiny, as the building was owned by the husband of well-known film actress Sabitha Perera.

The exorbitant rent raised eyebrows, fuelling allegations of misuse of public funds.

Despite the concerns voiced over the years, it appears that no concrete action was taken by the former administration to retrieve the deposit after the building was returned.

The failure to pursue the return of the funds has now prompted the Ministry of Agriculture to launch an internal investigation into these financial discrepancies.

Wickremesinghe assured the public that the ministry is taking all necessary steps to recover the funds and hold accountable those responsible for the irregularities.

The issue has also drawn the attention of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry, which is currently investigating fraud and corruption in government institutions between January 2015 and December 2018.

The Commission is expected to examine the role of the individuals involved in the questionable lease agreement.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 22, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has confirmed that the distribution of official polling cards for the upcoming 2024 Parliamentary Elections will commence tomorrow (23).

These cards, which play a critical role in ensuring voter participation, are expected to be handed over to the postal service on the 26th of this month, allowing ample time for their delivery ahead of Election Day.

Postal voting, a significant component of the electoral process, is scheduled to begin on the 30th of this month.

This system enables eligible voters, including government employees and other individuals who may be unable to visit polling stations on Election Day, to cast their ballots in advance.

In a related development, the allocation of television and radio airtime for political campaigns is being organised to ensure fairness among all contesting parties and independent groups.

Today (22), a draw was held at the Colombo District Secretariat to determine the broadcast slots. This system aims to provide equal opportunities for all participants, allowing them to communicate their policies and messages to the electorate.

The Election Commission has extended invitations to the secretaries of recognised political parties and the leaders of independent groups who have submitted nominations for the Parliamentary Elections to take part in the event.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 22, Colombo (LNW): In response to the escalating dengue fever crisis, the Ministry of Health has unveiled an urgent three-day eradication initiative set to commence tomorrow (23).

This comprehensive programme, led by Ministerial Secretary Dr. Palitha Maheepala, aims to combat the growing threat of dengue mosquitoes across several key districts, namely Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha, and Puttalam.

The initiative will encompass a network of 50 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) offices, where health officials will focus on identifying and eliminating mosquito breeding sites.

This proactive measure is deemed critical, particularly as the nation grapples with a significant surge in dengue cases. Over the past three weeks alone, an staggering number of 1,874 new cases have been documented, highlighting the urgent need for preventive action.

This year has already seen a staggering total of 41,285 dengue cases reported nationwide, according to the National Dengue Control Unit.

The rise in numbers is attributed to various environmental factors, including increased rainfall and stagnant water, which provide ideal breeding conditions for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary vector for the disease.

The Ministry of Health is calling on the public to play a vital role in this initiative by ensuring their surroundings are free from potential mosquito breeding sites.

Simple measures such as regularly emptying containers that collect water, maintaining clean drains, and using mosquito repellent can significantly reduce the risk of infection.