News
CMTA urges govt. to rethink its decision to allow import of old buses
A bus that has seen 10 years of service has a mileage of around a million kilometres.The government, therefore, must rethink the decision to allow the import of buses that are 10-years-old, Virann de Zoysa of the Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) said yesterday.
He said that the government has decided to relax the restrictions on the import of certain vehicles, and this is most welcome.
“Until now, we could only import vehicles that were less than five years old, since the day of production. Now the government has allowed the import of buses that are 10 years, since the day of production. These are old vehicles and we will have to spend a lot of money on repairs and spare parts,” he said.
De Zoysa added that a bus that has seen 10-years in service has a mileage of around a million kilometres. Such buses will also create environmental challenges.
Sri Lanka must only import vehicles that suit the traffic and road conditions of the country, he added.
Earlier, the President of the Vehicle Importer’s Association of Sri Lanka, Indika Sampath Merenchige, urged the government to have a discussion with them before relaxing restrictions on vehicle imports.
In 2019, Sri Lanka spent about 815.7 million US dollars on vehicle imports. In 2018, the country spent 1.5 billion dollars on them. Vehicle imports were restricted in March 2020.
The National People’s Power (NPP) polled 2,260 votes (46.18%) to secure 9 of the 19 seats in the Tangalla Urban Council at todays. Local Authorities Election.
THe Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJ) polled 1,397 votes to secure five seats while the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) polled 795 votes to secure 3 seats.
The United National Party (UNP) and the Sarvajana Balaya secure one seat each.
Voting commenced at 7.00am to elect members to 339 local councils in the island.
Voting is being held at 13,579 polling centers and will end at 4.00 p.m.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong warmly welcomed President Anura Kumara Disanayake during an official ceremony held in Hanoi on Monday (05) morning
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was accorded a ceremonial welcome with full military honours upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace of Vietnam. He also took part in the inspection of the Tri-Forces Guard of Honour and the playing of the national anthems of Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The two leaders then introduced members of their respective delegations before proceeding for bilateral discussions during which both nation assessed their progress, explored avenues for future collaboration and signed Memoranda of Understanding.
Vietnam and Sri Lanka have upheld robust and enduring ties since they established diplomatic relations in 1970. and this visit aims to strengthen political trust and foster effective collaboration across multiple sectors between the two nations.
Sri Lanka and Vietnam engage in annual bilateral trade, primarily in exports, totalling around US$200 million. Both nations aspire to elevate this trade to US$1 billion in the near future.
President Dissanayake’s visit highlights Sri Lanka’s deep commitment to its longstanding friendship with Vietnam and demonstrates a mutual resolve to enhance collaboration in traditional sectors while exploring new opportunities in digital transformation, the digital economy, energy transition, artificial intelligence and connectivity.
[PMD]
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