News
Govt to issue on arrival driving license for foreigners from April: State Minister
The has taken steps to issue licenses for foreigners on arrival at the airport from April and end a lengthy process to obtain them at the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) in Colombo suburb, State Transport Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said.
The move could also help the island nation to earn foreign exchange for the service which it now provides for in local currency, two government official said.
Tourists who wish to drive within Sri Lanka should obtain a driving license by visiting the DMT at Werahera, a Colombo suburb amid heavy bureaucratic red tapes, tourist operators have said.
The Minister said around 3,500 foreigners annually visit Werahera to obtain their licenses.
“This is not a good situation. From April this year, we have taken steps to facilitate the issuance of driving licenses for foreigners at the airport itself when they arrive,” Alagiyawanna told reporters in Colombo at a media briefing on Wednesday (17).Foreigners at the moment pay 30,000 Sri Lankan rupees to obtain a driving license in one-day service and 25,000 rupees in a normal service, the DMT data show.
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Petrol to cost less from midnight today (30)
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has announced a reduction in the prices of Petrol 92 and Petrol 95, effective from midnight today (30).
The price of Petrol 92 has been reduced by Rs. 15 per litre, from Rs. 414 to Rs. 399 while the price of Petrol 95 Octane has been reduced by Rs. 20 per litre, from Rs. 495 to Rs. 475
There will be no change in the prices of diesel, Super Diesel and kerosene under the latest revision.
News
“Rathuwewi Mihimadala” Book Launched with the Participation of the Prime Minister
The book “Rathuwewi Mihimadala”, written based on the life story of Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Leader of the Democratic Left Front, was launched on Friday [August 28] at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Speaking to the media afterwards about Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
“Vasudeva Nanayakkara is a prominent figure in Sri Lankan politics, particularly within the left-wing political movement. There were several influential figures within the left movement, and that left-wing influence also contributed to bringing the country to where it is today. Politically, there were areas where we agreed and areas where we did not. However, I have great respect for the contribution made by Vasudeva Nanayakkara to left-wing politics. When I entered Parliament in 2020, Vasudeva Nanayakkara was also in Parliament. We sat in the same row, and we spoke about many important as well as interesting moments in his political career. I believe some of these experiences have also been included in this book.”
The event was attended by members of the Maha Sangha, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara, former President Maithripala Sirisena, former Speakers Karu Jayasuriya and Chamal Rajapaksa, as well as party members, family members and friends.


[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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Sun directly overhead Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon today (30)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (30) are Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and
Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon.
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