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Long lines of vehicles on congested roads worry Johnson
‘People sent me pictures of traffic jams at entry and exit points on highways’
Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday vowed to make radical changes in his Ministry and the Road Development Authority to streamline their services to the general public.
Speaking at a ceremony held at his Ministry to commence operations for the New Year, the Minister said: “Today, I witnessed perhaps the longest lines of vehicles on our roads. Many have sent me pictures of traffic congestion this morning at expressways. Many towns have become chock-a-block. People suffering in traffic jams blame none but the government. There is no point in us being here if we cannot alleviate the sufferings of people. I have made a decision not to hesitate to make radical changes so that our Ministry and RDA could provide the services expected from them by people to their satisfaction.”
The Minister said that he would effect changes where necessary to increase efficiency and effectiveness of the services rendered to the public by the Ministry. “What I want is an expedited progress in our work this year. I want all my officials to cooperate with me for that goal. I am thankful to those who had dedicated themselves to serve continuously during lockdowns to prevent the spread of the pandemic. We all must strive to realise the goals set before us by the Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour programme of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa,” the Minister said.
Responding to questions by journalists at the end of the ceremony, the Minister said that President Rajapaksa could effect any changes to the Cabinet whenever he wanted. “It is his prerogative and he has the power to do so. People have given the powers to appoint the ministers and secretaries to the ministries. He will decide when to use those powers and to effect changes. He could do so at the beginning of the year or middle of the year or at midnight today,” the Minister said.
Asked whether a Cabinet reshuffle could bring about solutions for crises caused by the shortages of gas and dollars, the minister said: “Gas shortage is a crisis caused by officials including the Chairman of Litro gas. It is because of their inefficiency and dereliction of duties, a shortage of gas was created during the festive season. The officials should do their job, if not they should resign without letting the people and the government to be in difficulty.”
Asked whether the government would go to the IMF seeking a loan to find solutions for the forex reserve crisis, the minister said: “I am not the one who is to go to the IMF. That decision should be made by the Minister of Finance. If he thinks it is a necessity, then he will go there. It is not my place to comment on that issue.”
Responding to a journalist who said that Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa had equaled the government to a Maranadara Samithiya (death donation society) in Siyambalanduwa, the Minister said that Sajith Premadasa was the ideal Opposition leader for a government that expected no pressure from the Opposition. “He will go all around the country uttering whatever that comes to his mouth. He goes to Hambantota and Siyambalanduwa and laments about the plight of people in those areas and then comes home to drink wine and spends millions of rupees to host balls with his wife to his friends in Colombo. The one who weeps buckets in the morning for the cause of people suffering drinks and dances in the evening. It is good that we have an Opposition leader like him,” the minister said.
Asked for his comments on the possibility of joining of the SLFP teaming up with the JVP, the Minister said that the SLFP could do so. “Currently, the SLFP is with us. They can leave us anytime they want. They can even join Sajith Premadasa. Yet I still believe that the senior and capable lot in the SLFP are with us and won’t leave us.”
Among those present were Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure State Minister Nimal Lanza, Secretary to the Ministry of Highways R.W.R. Pemasiri, Secretary to the State Ministry of Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure, Prof Ranjith Dissanayake, Chairman of RDA Chaminda Athaluwage and RDA Director General Sardha Weerakoon.
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Second lot of luxury and decommissioned vehicles owned by the Presidential Secretariat sold
The second phase of the auction to sell luxury and decommissioned vehicles owned by the Presidential Secretariat was successfully concluded today (15 May), with the auction taking place as scheduled.
A total of 26 vehicles, previously allocated to former Ministers and the former President, to their advisors and staff appointed under Article 41(1) of the Constitution during their tenure, were listed for sale. Out of these, 17 vehicles were successfully sold today.
The auctioned vehicles included:
1 BMW car
2 Ford Everest SUVs
1 Hyundai Terracan SUV
2 Land Rover SUVs
1 Mitsubishi Montero
3 Nissan Patrol vehicles
2 Nissan brand cars
1 Porsche Cayenne
5 SsangYong Rexton SUVs
1 Toyota Land Cruiser Sahara
6 V8 vehicles
1 Mitsubishi Rosa air-conditioned bus
With the aim of reducing government expenditure and promoting fiscal responsibility, a decision was taken to auction the vehicles belonging to the Presidential Secretariat.
There was a high demand for the purchase of these vehicles and over Rs. 200 million in revenue was generated through their sale at the auction held today.
There was significant interest in the auction, with 108 bidders participating.
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President approves establishment of Anti-Corruption Investigation Units in Provincial Councils and LG Institutions
President Anura Kumara Disanayake has approved the establishment of dedicated anti-corruption investigation units within provincial councils and local government institutions, aiming to combat corruption and administrative inefficiencies. The decision follows a request by provincial governors during a high-level discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat today (15).
During the meeting, President Disanayake emphasised that provincial governors bear the primary responsibility for driving development initiatives and ensuring accountability within their respective provinces. He noted, “Strengthening governance mechanisms is critical to addressing systemic challenges and achieving equitable progress.”
Among the key decisions taken was the creation of anti-corruption investigation units modelled after similar bodies operating at the ministerial level. These units will be tasked with monitoring financial transactions, investigating irregularities and enforcing transparency in development projects. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader agenda to eliminate malpractice in public institutions.
The discussion also highlighted that provincial councils have received three times the financial allocations compared to the previous fiscal year. However, governors raised concerns regarding delays and bureaucratic hurdles in utilising these funds effectively. In response, President Disanayake directed officials to streamline procedures and adopt results-oriented mechanisms to accelerate infrastructure development.
Persistent obstacles in upgrading provincial infrastructure such as road networks, healthcare facilities and utility services, were also discussed. The President pledged to implement practical solutions to address these challenges and urged governors to prioritise projects that deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
The Governors further stressed the need for improved coordination between provincial councils and central ministries to avoid duplication of efforts. Acknowledging these concerns, President Disanayake underlined the importance of collaborative governance to ensure efficient resource allocation.
“While increased funding is a positive step, its prudent management is non-negotiable. Provincial authorities must ensure every rupee is accounted for and spent efficiently,” he asserted.
The meeting was attended by several senior officials, including Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, Kapila Janaka Bandara, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Provincial Governors: Hanif Yusuf (Western Province), Sarath Bandara Samarasinghe Abayakon (Central Province), Bandula Harischandra (Southern Province), Tissa Kumarasiri Warnasuriya (North Western Province), Wasantha Kumara Wimalasiri (North Central Province), Nagalingam Vedanayagam (Northern Province), Prof. Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera (Eastern Province), Champa Janaki Rajaratne (Sabaragamuwa Province) and Kapila Jayasekara (Uva Province).
Seven newly appointed foreign ambassadors to Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (15) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The new ambassadors represent the State of Israel, the Argentine Republic, the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the Kingdom of Denmark.
Accordingly:
* Mr. Mariano Agustin Caucino has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Argentine Republic, based in New Delhi.
* Ms. Stella Nkomo has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Zimbabwe, based in New Delhi.
* Mr. Reuven Javier Azar has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the State of Israel, based in New Delhi.
* Ms. Nina P. Cringlet has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of the Philippines, based in Dhaka.
* Mr. Lukmon Bobokalonzoda has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Tajikistan, based in New Delhi.
* Ms. Rath Many has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, based in New Delhi.
* Mr. Rasmus Kristensen has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Denmark, based in New Delhi.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also present at the occasion.
Second lot of luxury and decommissioned vehicles owned by the Presidential Secretariat sold
President approves establishment of Anti-Corruption Investigation Units in Provincial Councils and LG Institutions
Seven new envoys to Sri Lanka present credentials to the President
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