News
Public protest group opposes ministerial portfolio going to Namal
Black Cap Movement that has been active in the “GotaGoGama’ project has urged the government and other political parties engaged in talks on the formation of a national government not to accommodate lawmaker Namal Rajapaksa in the Cabinet.Buddhhi Prabodha Karunaratne, in a statement issued yesterday (18) on behalf of the group said that such a move would be contrary to the struggle the protest movement waged.
Claiming that moves were underway to name MP Namal Rajapaksa as the SLPP’s National Organizer, Karunaratne alleged that the Rajapaksas were trying to hoodwink the people.The Black Cap Movement activist said that MP Rajapaksa recently asked Environment Minister Nazeer Ahamed to accommodate a person in the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMP). MP Rajapaksa’s letter shared on social media identified this individual from Tangalle as the Chief Executive Officer of the GSMB Technical Services (Pvt) Limited, a subsidiary of the state enterprise.
The Black Cap Movement emphasized that the public protest campaign was launched demanding an end to the Rajapaksas dominance in the political scene. Therefore, the protest movement would oppose ministerial portfolio to MP Namal Rajapaksa, Karunaratne said.
Political sources said that talks were continuing with the participation of the SLPP and President Ranil Wickremesinghe to explore ways and means of allocating ministerial positions. The SLPP however has insisted the lion’s share of appointments on the basis of the size of its parliamentary group.
The question is can a self-appointed group of activists decide the political future of Rajapaksas other than by the people at a free and fair election, asked an SLPP MP. (SF)
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to award the contract for printing and supplying vehicle number plates for the Department of Motor Traffic for a period of five (5) years to M/s South Asian Technologies based on the recommendations of the High-Level Standing Procurement Committee and the Procurement Appeal Board.
The National Lotteries board has been established subject to the Finance Act No. 11 of 1963. Having identified the requirement of amending that act which was imposed around 62 years to cater the current requirements of the lottery market, the Cabinet of Mnisters at their meeting held on 14.02.2017 granted approval to draft a new bill for the purpose.
Accordingly, the National Lotteries Board has recognized further amendments to be performed to the fundamental draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsmen.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the
resolution furnished by the President in his office as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to direct the Legal Draftsmen to finalize the formulation of the draft bill for the National Lotteries Board as soon as possible including the proposed new amendments as well.
The Werahara office of the Department of Motor Traffic performs issuance of temporary driving licenses in this country based on the driving licenses issued overseas, and measures have been initiated to render the service from a service window of the Department of Motor Traffic established at the Bandaranayake International Airport from 03.08.2025.
The fees charged for issuing temporary driving licenses have been published in Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 prepared under the provisions of the Motor Traffic (Authority 203) Act.
But, as the fee of Rupees 2,000/- charged for the service is not sufficient, the requirement of amending the regulations has been recognized.
The regulations for introducing the revised fees have been published in the government extraordinary gazette
notification No. 2463/04 dated 17.11.2025. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to
submit the regulations to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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M/s South Asian Technologies awarded contract to supply vehicle number plates
A new act for National Lotteries Board to be introduced
Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 to be amended
Mrs. P. K. L. S. Panduwawala appointed to the post of Surveyor General
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