The introduction of a monthly route permit renewal system for passenger buses operating in the Western Province has created serious difficulties for the private bus industry, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) says. Association Chairman, Gemunu Wijeratne, said the Road Passenger Transport Authority of the Western Province had taken steps to replace the annual route permit renewal system with a monthly renewal process, effective from the first of this month.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wijeratne made these remarks to the media after lodging a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) over the decision.

Private bus owners lodge HRCSL complaint over monthly route permit renewals

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern and Eastern provinces, today (12), the Department of Meteorology said.Showers or thundershowers will occur elsewhere in the island after 1.00 p.m.Heavy rainfall above 100mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and Uva provinces, the Met. Department added.The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Galle, Matara and Kurunegala districts during the early hours of the morning.

Heavy rainfall above 100mm expected in parts of the island

<ul><li>Port City Commission questions permission despite CAA assurances of clearance</li><li>Ministers take inaugural flight, discover administrative row only after landing</li><li>Chinese investor disappointed over overlapping authority and approval confusion</li></ul> Sri Lanka's first passenger drone taxi took off with two Ministers on board yesterday (11), but its maiden demonstration soon ran into a very different kind of turbulence, with a permissions dispute at the Colombo Port City exposing confusion among State authorities over who had the final say.Civil Aviation Minister Aruna Karunathilaka and Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku took the inaugural three-minute flight, only to learn after landing that the planned demonstration had run into objections from the Port City Economic Commission, despite the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) maintaining that the necessary clearances had been obtained.The Commission, reportedly headed by Harsha Amarasekera, questioned whether permission had been obtained from it for the demonstration, disrupting the planned programme of three test flights, each lasting approximately three minutes.The intervention reportedly led to a confrontation between a Commission official and the project team, with the former challenging the organisers over the authority under which the demonstration was being conducted.However, CAASL Director General Daminda Rambukwella maintained that the necessary regulatory and security approvals had been obtained from the relevant Government authorities, including the Ministry of Defence and the Sri Lanka Air Force.The dispute has raised questions about the coordination between State institutions and the respective jurisdictions of the aviation regulator and the Port City Economic Commission, particularly over the use of airspace above the Port City.A senior Government official reportedly pointed out that although the land within the Port City was under the control of the Chinese developers through the relevant development arrangements, this did not automatically give them authority over the airspace above it.Rambukwella explained that advanced air mobility operations broadly involved two categories: piloted aircraft and fully autonomous, pilotless aircraft. The EHang aircraft used in yesterday's demonstration belonged to the latter category.He said the aircraft had received type certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), with the relevant certification documents forming the basis of the CAASL's regulatory assessment.The CAASL had developed the necessary implementing standards based on the Chinese certification framework to ensure that the aircraft and its proposed operations met Sri Lanka's aviation safety requirements, he said.These included the relevant certificates of registration and airworthiness as well as operational approvals, including an air operator certificate where applicable.Preliminary technical assessments had also been carried out ahead of the demonstration, with the designated operational area located within the Port City.The matter subsequently reached political levels, with Minister Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando reportedly contacting the relevant parties in an attempt to resolve the administrative impasse and facilitate the demonstration. However, the intervention failed to resolve the dispute.The Chinese investor is understood to have expressed disappointment over the administrative obstacles, raising concerns about the country's ability to facilitate emerging technology projects when multiple institutions appear to exercise overlapping or unclear authority.The trial marked Sri Lanka's initial step towards introducing autonomous passenger drone transportation. The project was initially envisaged as a pilot initiative rather than a commercial operation, following a special discussion held at the Civil Aviation Ministry in August. Trial runs were expected to be conducted at the Port City over approximately six months.The aircraft used for the trial was an EHang E216, an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) passenger aircraft manufactured by Chinese company EHang Intelligent Technology.Capable of carrying two passengers, the aircraft can take off and land vertically without requiring a conventional runway. It is equipped with 16 propellers, 12 battery packs and three flight control systems and operates through a computer-based control system. It can also be remotely operated from a central control station.In the event of an emergency or communication failure, the aircraft is reportedly capable of automatically activating safety procedures.The manufacturer claims that the system has undergone more than 100,000 test flights and incorporates extensive autonomous flight and safety features. It is also understood to be among the first autonomous passenger-carrying eVTOL systems to receive type certification.The technology is being considered for passenger transportation, tourism and emergency services, with the possibility of eventually transporting tourists to destinations such as Sigiriya, Pidurangala and island-based tourist attractions.

Drone taxi flies into a turf war

Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thera and two other Buddhist monks have launched a fast unto death in protest against the proposed Anuradhapura Sacred Site Development Project, escalating an ongoing protest near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya.The three monks commenced the hunger strike following a Satyagraha launched earlier by a group of Buddhist monks at the Dansala premises near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya, opposing the proposed development initiative.Meanwhile, an arrest warrant was issued against Kassapa Thera yesterday (11) after he failed to appear before the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court in a case concerning alleged unauthorised constructions along the Trincomalee coast and a controversial Buddha statue.The case was taken up for hearing yesterday, but Kassapa Thera and several other individuals named in the proceedings were absent when the matter was called. The Court subsequently issued the warrant against the monk and postponed the hearing until 6 January 2027.Commenting on the ongoing protest, Cabinet Spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said on Tuesday (10) that those seeking clarification on the proposed development plan could raise their concerns directly with the Acting Atamasthanadhipathi, Ven. Eethalawetunuwewe Gnanathilaka Thera.Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing, he said a 32-member Presidential Advisory Committee had been appointed to oversee decision-making on the project. The committee is chaired by the Acting Atamasthanadhipathi and Presidential Chief of Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi.Jayatissa also disclosed that the Anuradhapura Police had submitted a fresh B-report to Court over the protesters' continued occupation of the site in alleged violation of a court order. Five individuals had been directed to appear before Court on 20 November in connection with the matter.He further said discussions on an alternative location could be considered once the ongoing protest ended.

Monks begin death fast over Anuradhapura project

President of the Court of Appeal (CA), Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya, has appointed a three-Judge bench to hear the appeal filed by former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra challenging her conviction and prison sentence.The appeal was referred to the CA President for further action following a division among the Judges when considering the verdict. Accordingly, the matter was taken up before Justice Abeysuriya yesterday (11).During the proceedings, he appointed a three-member bench comprising Justices P Kumararatnam, R Pradeep Hettiarachchi and himself to hear the appeal.The Court directed that the appeal be taken up before the newly appointed bench on 21 January 2027.Premachandra was convicted by the Colombo High Court (HC) over charges including the abduction of a young man employed at a shop in the Dematagoda area on 21 December 2015, using a Defender vehicle, unlawful detention and assault.The HC sentenced her to three years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine following her conviction.Premachandra subsequently appealed against the conviction and sentence, seeking to have both set aside and to be acquitted and released from the charges.

Three-Judge CA bench to hear Hirunika’s appeal 

<h3> </h3><h3>President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Finance Minister, will present the 2027 Budget to Parliament today (12) at 1.30 p.m., delivering the Second Reading speech of the Appropriation Bill for the coming year.</h3>The Budget debate is scheduled to continue for 26 days, concluding on 14 December, with the final vote on the Bill's Third Reading scheduled for 6 p.m. that day.The Appropriation Bill was presented to Parliament for its First Reading on 7 October. The Second Reading debate will commence tomorrow (13) and continue until 20 November, spanning seven sitting days. The vote on the Second Reading is scheduled for 6 p.m. on 20 November.The Committee Stage debate will then take place from 21 November to 14 December over 19 days, including four Saturdays.The final vote on the Third Reading will be held at 6 p.m. on 14 December, marking the conclusion of the Budget process.The Budget debates will be held daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Budget 2027 presented to Parliament today

<ul><li>Move would imbalance market share agreements&nbsp;</li></ul> The Government is planning to release an additional 200,000 to 300,000 Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders to the market as a last resort if LAUGFS Gas PLC continues to fail to maintain its required supply, Deputy Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister R M Jayawardena said.Speaking to The Daily Morning, he said the Government was attempting to resolve the shortage through LAUGFS rather than immediately increasing Litro's market share, as doing so could create complications under existing supply agreements."LAUGFS supplies 20% of the market, while Litro supplies 80%. Litro has already released around another 3% above its 80% share to the market," he said.He explained that releasing more Litro cylinders would create an imbalance under the agreements governing the two companies' respective market shares."We've planned to release another 200,000 to 300,000 Litro cylinders if LAUGFS continues to fail to supply the market properly. However, when we do that, there's an issue regarding the balance in the market. We can't increase the market share at once. Therefore, we're trying our best to resolve this issue through LAUGFS Gas itself," he said.However, Jayawardena said the Government would have to take a different approach if the company failed to address the situation."If LAUGFS continues to fail in supplying gas to the people adequately, we'll have to set aside or cancel the agreements and take a decision. In such a case, we'll release more Litro cylinders," he said.The Government's plans come amid continuing difficulties in securing adequate cooking gas supplies, with shortages affecting consumers in several areas.The Government has previously accused LAUGFS of delaying or failing to place gas orders, while the company has attributed recent disruptions mainly to difficulties in international LPG procurement, shipping and supply chains.&nbsp;

Govt warns LAUGFS: 300,000 more Litro cylinders ready 

The Police have raised concerns over an increase in fatal and serious road accidents across the country, attributing many of the incidents to excessive speeding, reckless driving and disregard for traffic regulations.In a statement, the Police said many motorists continued to endanger lives through negligent driving, showing little consideration for the safety of other road users.They also warned of the dangers posed by vehicles fitted with unauthorised and hazardous modifications, which could cause accidents, injuries and fatalities.An examination of recent road accidents had revealed that several buses involved in such incidents had undergone modifications and were operating without valid vehicle fitness certificates or the necessary regulatory approvals, the Police said.As part of efforts to strengthen public participation in road safety, the Police have introduced dedicated WhatsApp channels for the public to submit video footage of reckless and dangerous driving.The initiative has already helped identify and arrest several suspects, who have subsequently been brought before the law, based on information and footage received from the public.Members of the public can submit video footage of reckless or dangerous driving to the Police via WhatsApp on 0704755600, the Police Emergency Hotline on 119 or the Colombo District Emergency Call Division on 0112433333.Meanwhile, complaints regarding vehicles emitting excessive black smoke can be made to the National Transport Commission via its hotline 1955 or WhatsApp on 0703500525. Complainants have been requested to provide the vehicle registration number, date and location of the incident, together with supporting photographs or video footage.The Police have also urged vehicle owners and drivers to familiarise themselves with relevant legal requirements and ensure that their vehicles meet prescribed standards before being driven on public roads.Island-wide traffic enforcement operations will continue, with strict legal action to be taken against those violating traffic laws and regulations.

Police seek public help to crack down on reckless driving 

The proposed Hasthi Sena operation does not require special legal backing as Wildlife Conservation officers involved in the initiative already have the authority to enforce the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, with specially trained Military personnel being deployed only to support them, the Deputy Environment Minister Anton Jayakody said.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (11), he said that the Government had decided to seek Cabinet of Ministers approval for the operation through a Cabinet memorandum. However, he stressed that the legal authority to enforce the Wildlife Conservation law remained with officers of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC). “Under the law, the authority to enforce the said Ordinance has been given to Wildlife Conservation officers. Tri-Forces personnel with special training will be involved to assist them. Therefore, there’s no need for specific legislation for this. The operation will be carried out under the Ordinance,” he said.The Government recently initiated the Hasthi Sena programme as part of efforts to address the growing human-elephant conflict (HEC) and strengthen measures to protect both people and elephants. The programme involves coordinated action by Wildlife Conservation authorities and other State agencies in areas affected by the HEC, with Military personnel expected to provide specialised support where required.

Private bus owners lodge HRCSL complaint over monthly route ...

Heavy rainfall above 100mm expected in parts of the island

Heavy rainfall above 100mm exp ...

Drone taxi flies into a turf war

Drone taxi flies into a turf w ...

Monks begin death fast over Anuradhapura project

Monks begin death fast over An ...

Three-Judge CA bench to hear Hirunika’s appeal

Three-Judge CA bench to hear H ...

Budget 2027 presented to Parliament today

Budget 2027 presented to Parli ...

Govt warns LAUGFS: 300,000 more Litro cylinders ready

Govt warns LAUGFS: 300,000 mor ...

Police seek public help to crack down on reckless driving

Police seek public help to cra ...

DWC legally empowered for Hasthi Sena

DWC legally empowered for Hast ...

Heavy rainfall above 100mm expected in parts of the island

Heavy rainfall above 100mm exp ...

Drone taxi flies into a turf war

Drone taxi flies into a turf w ...

Monks begin death fast over Anuradhapura project

Monks begin death fast over An ...

Three-Judge CA bench to hear Hirunika’s appeal

Three-Judge CA bench to hear H ...

Budget 2027 presented to Parliament today

Budget 2027 presented to Parli ...

Govt warns LAUGFS: 300,000 more Litro cylinders ready

Govt warns LAUGFS: 300,000 mor ...

Police seek public help to crack down on reckless driving

Police seek public help to cra ...

DWC legally empowered for Hasthi Sena

DWC legally empowered for Hast ...

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Heavy rainfall above 100mm expected in parts of the island

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Drone taxi flies into a turf war

Drone taxi flies into a turf w ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Monks begin death fast over Anuradhapura project

Monks begin death fast over An ...

Three-Judge CA bench to hear Hirunika’s appeal

Three-Judge CA bench to hear H ...

Budget 2027 presented to Parliament today

Budget 2027 presented to Parli ...

Govt warns LAUGFS: 300,000 more Litro cylinders ready

Govt warns LAUGFS: 300,000 mor ...