News
Lawmakers complain of insufficient fuel allocation
A looming fuel shortage could disrupt the attendance of Members of Parliament during the current sitting week, parliamentary sources said, amid growing concern over the adequacy of fuel allocations under the QR-based distribution system.
According to sources, MPs representing distant provinces are likely to be the worst affected, as existing fuel quotas—issued based on travel distance—are proving insufficient under prevailing conditions.
Parliament, which convened yesterday (17), is scheduled to sit until Friday (20), with nearly three-quarters of legislators travelling from outstation electorates.
Concerns were raised in the House by Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archuna, who said the allocation of 15 litres of fuel was inadequate for long-distance travel.
He told Parliament that the limited quota would make it impractical to travel from Jaffna to Colombo in a single journey.
“I have been given only 15 litres of fuel to travel from Jaffna to Colombo. Under these conditions, I would have to travel up to Anuradhapura, stay overnight, obtain the next QR allocation the following week, and then proceed to Colombo. The return journey would take even longer,” he said.
Sources indicated that the introduction of the QR code system has created logistical difficulties for MPs in accessing their allocated fuel, prompting calls for a separate mechanism to facilitate uninterrupted attendance.
Several MPs have requested that a dedicated QR code system be introduced for parliamentarians to ensure smoother access to fuel during sittings.
Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne said the matter has been referred to the Secretary General of Parliament and that the House would be informed once a response is received.
The Government is expected to take a decision shortly on measures to address the issue.
Meanwhile, Opposition MP S.M. Marikkar said that parliamentarians were not receiving preferential treatment in obtaining fuel and were compelled to queue alongside the general public.
Responding to queries from journalists, he said MPs do not receive fuel through the security forces or any special channels.
“We also stand in queues like everyone else to obtain fuel,” he said, while criticising sections of the media for, what he described as, a biased portrayal of parliamentarians.
INS Sindhukesari, a submarine serving in the Indian Navy, arrived at the port of Colombo on 03 May 26 to undertake Operational Turnarounds.
The visiting submarine was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in precision with naval traditions.
Throughout its stay in the island, the submarine’s crew is scheduled to participate in a variety of programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, including visits to several tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.
Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, officially visited the Russian House in Colombo to attend the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum, where members of the Sri Lanka Russia Business Council and graduates from the Association of Sri Lankan Graduates from Socialist countries (ASLGSC) attended.
This historic gathering was graced by rectors and representatives from several world-class Russian medical institutions, including Kursk State Medical University, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, and Tver State Medical University, among others.
The forum commenced with an address by Minister Murashko, during which Russian medical graduates in attendance raised pertinent questions regarding medical and pharmaceutical sector opportunities in Sri Lanka.
Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, together with Madam Maria L. Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka & the Maldives and Director of the Russian House in Colombo, graced the occasion. Both officials expressed strong support for continued collaboration and future initiatives between the two nations.
The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:
Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage
The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.
The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.
INS Sindhukesari arrives in Colombo
Minister of Health of the Russian Federation attends the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum
Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed
Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm.
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