News
Touts, taxi drivers, baggage handlers bane of BIA, laments Minister
Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva has says that despite the increase in the number of foreign tourists arriving in the country with the dawn of the tourist season, he has also received numerous complaints from them.
“These complaints say that the Katunayake Airport lacks courtesy,” he said, adding that complaints had been received that baggage handlers, taxi drivers and brokers were engaged in various irregularities within the airport premises.
The Minister made those remarks at a special discussion with the officials of the Katunayake Airport during morning hours today, 28 March 2023. The discussion was aimed at resolving complaints and prevailing congestion at the airport.
At the discussion, it was decided to increase the fine from RS. 25,000 to Rs.100,000 for committing such irregularities, to deploy a team of civil security personnel to apprehend those involved in irregularities, to expand the airport’s CCTV system and to establish a special counter to receive any complaint and take counter action immediately.
The Minister ordered the officials to take stern action against anyone involved in such irregularities at the airport premises.
The Minister also requested the taxi drivers, baggage handlers and porters to behave in a polite manner that brings pride to Sri Lanka.
Several Officials of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, officials of the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., and the Department of Immigration and emigration also attended the discussion.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill to amend the State Mortgage and Investment Bank Law No. 13 of 1975
By Cabinet decision dated 2025-12-01, policy approval was granted to amend the definition of the term “animal” in the Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 by including, pigs, goats, and sheep, in addition to cattle and buffaloes, within the interpretation section of the act.
In accordance with the said approval, the Legal Draftsman has drafted an Amended Bill in all three languages, and the clearance of the Attorney General has also been obtained.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the
resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to publish the draft Amendment Bill in the Government Gazette and thereafter to submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
News
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
The Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre, comprising 11 floors, has been constructed with the assistance of the Government of India with the objective of serving as a hub for cultural activities in Sri Lanka and expanding bilateral cooperation for the promotion, preservation, and fostering the cultural heritage of Jaffna.
In accordance with the approval granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 2022-02-21, a Joint Management Committee has been appointed to make decisions relating to the affairs of the said cultural centre, in terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed for the operation of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre.
According to the provisions of the aforementioned MOU, upon completion of the construction of the project, the cultural centre should be transferred to the Jaffna Municipal Council through the Government of Sri Lanka.
Following such transfer, the relevant parties have reached an agreement to establish a ‘trust’ for carrying out the management activities of the centre. The Attorney General’s clearance has been received for the draft trust deed prepared for that purpose.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to establish the trust to continue the management activities of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
State Mortgage and Investment Bank Law No. 13 of 1975 to be amended
Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 amended
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
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Nahid Rana rips through Pakistan to seal a final-session win for Bangladesh
South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail reverses retirement for T20 World Cup
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