News
Police happy with new traffic lane rules: Congestion eased to a great extent
by SURESH PERERA
The mandatory traffic lane rules now being enforced on four key routes in Colombo and its suburbs have helped to ease road congestion to a considerable degree, a senior police official asserted, amidst the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AA) adopting a “let’s wait and see” stand on the issue.
“We are happy with the outcome”, says SSP Indika Hapugoda, Director, Traffic Administration and Road Safety.
There were teething problems at the initial stage, but as the days progressed, the outcome was fruitful, he said. “There was a marked improvement with every passing day and by Friday, there was relative free flow of traffic on the designated routes”.
Asked about concerns raised by private bus operators over three-wheelers and motor cycles being directed to use the specially demarcated ‘bus lane’, SSP Hapugoda replied, “that’s not an issue. There are four private bus associations in the country and only one has complained. The others are happy with the arrangement”.
“There are complaints about traffic congestion aggravating in some areas after the new rules were implemented”, said Devapriya Hettiarachchi, Secretary, Automobile Association of Ceylon.
Many staff members were late by about half an hour after the traffic police began implementing the new road rules, he noted, and added that according to complaints, the bottlenecks were largely at Nugegoda and Kadawatha.
“Anyway, let’s wait and see how the new traffic scheme plays out”, he continued.
The traffic police will continue to strictly enforce the road rules, SSP Hapugoda stressed. “We expect better results on Monday”.
Violators will be fined Rs. 2,000, the director warned.
Divided into four zones, the traffic lane rules are being implemented from the new Kelani Bridge on the Baseline Road to the High Level junction via Orugodawatta, Dematagoda, Borella and Narahenpita.
From Polduwa Junction on Sri Jayewardenepura Mawatha to Rajagiriya Flyover, Ayurveda junction, D. S. Senanayake Junction, Horton roundabout, Library Junction and Liberty roundabout.
From William junction on Galle Road to Dickman’s Road Junction via Bambalapitiya, Kollupitiya, Galle Face Roundabout and the NSA roundabout junction.
From near Anula College, Nugegoda on High Level Road to High Level Baseline junction, Park Road junction, Thimbirigasyaya junction, Thummulla roundabout, Glasshouse junction, Library junction and Pittala handiya (junction).
Eksath Janaraja Peramuna (EJP) yesterday complained to the Election Commission (EC) regarding President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent threat that the government would release funds only to local government bodies to be won by a clean party at the May 06 LG polls.
The EJP, led by former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, complained that President Dissanayake has claimed during a public rally at Weligama that the NPP was the only clean party.
The EJP is contesting 37 LG bodies at the forthcoming election.
The new party said that the rights of the other contesting political parties and groups had been violated by the President.
The EJP asked the EC to ensure a level playing field
Having handed over their complaint, EJP spokesman Theekshana Gammanpila told the media outside the EC office that Anura Kumara Dissanayake had won last year’s presidential election and then the parliamentary election as the then government ensured a free and fair election. But now President Dissanayake was making a despicable attempt to influence the electorate in the run-up to the vital mini polls. Gammanpila alleged that the President’s intervention could have a far reaching impact on the electorate.
The EJP spokesman emphasised the responsibility on the part of the EC to intervene and take tangible measures to prevent President Dissanayake from manipulating the electorate to their advantage. (SF)
Former North Central Province Chief Minister S. M. Ranjith and his private secretary Shanthi, who is his brother, former Minister S.M. Chandrasena’s wife, were yesterday (02) sentenced to 16 years rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of corruption charges. They were also ordered to pay a fine of Rs. 200,000 each.
The judgment was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendi.
They were convicted on charges filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.
S.M. Ranjith was found guilty of enabling Shanti to secure an additional fuel allowance between Sept 2012 and Dec 2014 to the tune of Rs 2.68 mn.
The Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka hosted a concert of Japanese traditional music by the Honganji Temple & Foundation Japanese Orchestra featuring the performers of NYSC on 28th March in honour of the visit of Most. Ven. Ohtani Chohjun Nayaka Hamuduruwo, the 25th Head Priest of Higashi Hongan-ji Grand Temple.
The event featured a Japanese tea ceremony and breathtaking musical performances by the Honganji Temple & Foundation Japanese Orchestra, showcasing traditional Japanese instruments such as the Koto and Shamisen. The evening was further enriched by violin and vibrant dance performances by students from the National Youth Council (NYSC) and Lanka Nippon Biztech Institute (LNBTI).
This cultural celebration further strengthened the deep ties between Japan and Sri Lanka, offering a unique experience of Japanese tradition and heritage.
EC asked to ensure level playing field at LG polls; complaint lodged against President AKD
Former CM, and private secretary sentenced to 16 years RI for corruption
Traditional Japanese musical concert and cultural performance
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