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).
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is on an official visit to Paris, France to participate in the high-level segment of the International Expert Conference on ’An Integrated and Sustainable Approach to Safeguarding the World Heritage Property of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka and Associated Living Heritage’ which was to be held at UNESCO Headquarters today [Tuesday 1 April], with the participation of the Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay.
The Conference, organized by UNESCO in partnership with Sri Lanka, brings together leading international experts to discuss sustainable strategies for the conservation of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of immense cultural and historical significance.
On the sidelines of the Conference, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet senior interlocutors of the French Government to discuss bilateral cooperation and areas of mutual interest.
The Delegation of the Prime Minister includes the Minister of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) BUNGO and ETAJIMA arrived at the port of Colombo on a goodwill visit this morning (01 Apr 25).
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.
The 141m long JMSDF BUNGO is an Uraga-Class Minesweeper Tender commanded by Commander TANAKA Koji and the ship is manned by a crew of 125.
Meanwhile, JMSDF Etajima, a 65-meter-long Minesweeper, is under the command of Commander Oda Takayuki and operates with a crew of 54 personnel.
During the stay in the island, crew members of the ships will explore some tourist attractions within the city of Colombo. The ships are scheduled to set sail from Colombo on 04 Apr.
“You and your families will be eliminated”
By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randun
A full-scale investigation has been launched to track down an underworld character, ‘Navy Dinesh,’ a key accomplice of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, for issuing death threats over the phone to three police officers, including the Gampaha HQI, Crime Branch OIC, of the same police station, and others.
Navy Dinesh is believed to have fled the country.
According to police sources, threats were issued following the arrest of Navy Dinesh’s father and brother in connection with a drug trafficking case.
Phone analysis reports have confirmed that the calls originated from Dubai and France.
Following the murder of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, Navy Dinesh assumed leadership of the underworld gang he had previously been involved with.
Navy Dinesh contacted the Gampaha HQI, the OIC of the Crime Branch, and the investigating police constable, and threatened to kill them and their family members. “You and your families will be eliminated,” he said.
A special police team had been assigned to investigate the matter, and a report has been submitted to the courts, police sources said.
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