News

The cabinet of ministers recently approved the purchase of 600 deluxe air-conditioned buses, expanding a previously controversial tender that had drawn criticism over restrictive procurement conditions.

The decision, taken as part of the government's 2025-2026 National Road Safety Plan, authorises the use of Rs 14.4 billion originally set aside for conventional SLTB buses to finance the larger, upgraded fleet, with officials describing the move as a step towards improving passenger comfort, road safety and long-distance transport services nationwide.

Original tender faced scrutiny over restrictive conditions

The expanded programme effectively supersedes an earlier procurement exercise that had sought to acquire only 200 luxury diesel buses for expressway operations.

The tender had come under sustained scrutiny from industry observers, who questioned whether its conditions had been designed, whether intentionally or otherwise, to favour a narrow pool of international manufacturers.

One the most contested requirements were financial thresholds requiring bidders to show annual turnovers exceeding Rs 6 billion in three of the previous five years, along with liquid working capital above Rs 3 billion.

Eligible manufacturers also had to demonstrate production of at least 750 buses annually and exports to five or more countries.

Critics say that such benchmarks measured corporate scale rather than product quality, and that they excluded smaller, experienced suppliers capable of delivering internationally certified buses supported by established maintenance networks.

The procurement timetable added to these concerns. Bid documents were issued between 20 March and 9 April 2026, with submissions closing on 10 April following a single pre-bid conference.

Industry participants said the short preparation window made it difficult for prospective bidders to compile compliant submissions, which in turn limited the scope for genuine competition.

Further technical conditions required manufacturers to have more than 15 years of production experience and to manufacture at least 1,000 units annually of the proposed model, while foreign manufacturers were required to appoint local representatives with at least five years of repair and maintenance experience backed by operational workshop facilities.

Government defends criteria

Government authorities have rejected suggestions that the conditions were unnecessarily restrictive, maintaining that the criteria were designed to ensure reliability, safeguard taxpayer funds and secure long-term after-sales support for one of the country's largest public transport investments.

With the latest Cabinet decision, the disputed 200-bus tender has now been absorbed into a centralised procurement covering 600 deluxe buses, marking a shift from a limited acquisition to a nationwide modernisation strategy.

The broader modernisation drive is also moving forward on a separate track. The Ministry of Transport has already contracted Indra Traders (Pvt) Ltd to supply 104 Metro buses manufactured by China's FOTON International Corporation.

These buses are expected to arrive by mid-August and enter passenger service before late September, introducing electronic fare collection and operating from new depots currently under construction.

The scale of the investment underscores the Government's determination to overhaul the country's ageing public transport fleet, though its ultimate success will depend as much on transparency as on the buses themselves, with procurement experts likely to press for a clear account of how a 200-bus tender grew into a Rs 14.4 billion, 600-vehicle programme in the weeks ahead.

Two Grade Nine schoolboys lost their lives after falling from the top of the Jodu Ella waterfall in the Knuckles forest range while attempting to take selfies yesterday.

The victims were identified as B. Saljith and K. Delon, both students of Knuckles Tamil Maha Vidyalaya and residents of Knuckles Estate in Thawalantenna.

According to preliminary police investigations, the two boys were part of a group of five schoolboys who had visited the Jodu Ella waterfall.

Investigators said the pair had climbed onto a boulder at the top of the waterfall to take selfies when they reportedly lost their footing and fell into the waterfall.

One of the students died at the scene, while the other succumbed to his injuries while being transferred from the Madolkele Divisional Hospital to the National Hospital in Kandy.

Panvila Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

The Department of Examinations has announced that the 2026 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination will be conducted on August 9, 2026, at 2,723 examination centres across the island.

According to the Department, the examination will be held from 9.30 a.m. to 12.15 p.m.

The attendance records of candidates who applied for the examination have already been sent to the relevant Zonal Education Offices through their respective schools, the Department said.

The Department further announced that candidates will be given an opportunity to make corrections to their personal information, if required.

The online facility for amending candidate details will be available from today (23) until August 3.

Candidates can make the necessary changes by accessing the “Exam Information Centre” under the “Our Services” section on the Department of Examinations website, or through the online examination service system.

The price of a 750 ml bottle of special arrack has been increased by Rs. 20, the Sri Lanka Distilleries Company announced.

The company said the price revision was implemented due to increased production costs.

No further details regarding the new retail price or the effective date of the increase were provided.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna after he failed to appear before the Fort Magistrate's Court today (24) in connection with an ongoing court case.

According to court proceedings, the warrant was issued when the MP did not appear before the court as required. His sureties were also absent when the case was taken up.

The case relates to an alleged incident involving the obstruction of Fort Police officers while they were carrying out their official duties.

No further details regarding the case were disclosed during the court proceedings.

A private hospital in Jaffna has been fined Rs. 3 million by the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court for charging patients above the approved maximum fee for a medical test.

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) had determined that the maximum charge for a Full Blood Count (FBC) test at private hospitals and medical laboratories should be Rs. 400.

However, during a special inspection conducted by CAA officers, it was found that a private medical institution located in the Kandar Madam area along Palali Road, Jaffna, had charged Rs. 550 for the same test.

Following the discovery, the CAA filed legal action against the institution before the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court. After the institution pleaded guilty to the offence, the court imposed a fine of Rs. 3 million.

The court also ordered the institution to publish an announcement in leading newspapers at its own expense regarding the violation.

The CAA has urged the public to remain aware of approved charges for medical services when obtaining treatment or tests from private hospitals and laboratories.

Consumers have also been advised to obtain valid bills or receipts for all payments, as these documents can be used as evidence when submitting complaints.

Complaints regarding charges exceeding approved limits can be made to the CAA through its hotline 1977 during office hours.

Opposition leaders from across the political spectrum are set to convene this afternoon at the Office of the Opposition Leader to discuss the independence of the judiciary.

The meeting, called by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, brings together senior figures from rival parties amid growing concern over a government proposal to extend the retirement age of judges.

Political sources say the gathering is expected to draw a range of opposition figures, including former Presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe and Maithripala Sirisena.

Also expected to attend are Sarvajana Balaya leader and Parliamentarian Dilith Jayaweera, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna national organiser and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, and United Republic Front leader Patali Champika Ranawaka.

The government's proposal to extend the retirement age of judges, along with concerns over judicial independence, is expected to dominate the discussion, according to political sources.

Several other current political matters are also likely to be raised during the meeting, though the judiciary issue is understood to be the primary focus.

Meeting seen as push for greater Opposition unity

The discussion is taking place as opposition parties work to strengthen cooperation on issues of national importance, and it is expected to give leaders from different political groups an opportunity to exchange views on matters affecting the country.

Observers note that such cross party engagement has become increasingly significant given the range of political and institutional concerns currently facing the country.

The outcome of the meeting and any decisions reached are expected to be made public once discussions conclude, and the extent to which opposition parties can present a united position on judicial independence is likely to shape political developments in the days ahead.