2026-11-06
Measures are currently being taken to return locomotives and power sets that are out of service to operational status, Hon. Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr Prasanna Gunasena stated.
He explained that the necessary repairs are being carried out at the workshops of the Sub-Department of Mechanical Engineering at Ratmalana, while minor repairs are being undertaken at the depots of the Sub-Department of Motive Power under the Chief Engineer. He further noted that arrangements are being made to outsource the repairs of several other locomotives to external parties.
The Deputy Minister made these remarks while responding to Questions for Oral Answers raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Dhanushka Ranganath in Parliament.
The Deputy Minister disclosed that, prior to the Ditwah disaster, Sri Lanka operated 331 passenger train services and 28 goods train services daily. Following the disaster, the number of passenger train services has declined to 200 per day, while goods train services continue to operate at 28 per day.
He further stated that 84 locomotives and 106 power-set engines are required to operate the full schedule of train services. However, only 49 locomotives and 82 power-set engines are currently in operational condition.
The Deputy Minister also pointed out that a further 47 locomotives and 48 power-set engines have been temporarily withdrawn from service but remain in a condition that would allow them to be repaired and returned to operation.
2026-11-05
The Supplementary Estimate No. 08 of 2026, seeking approval to allocate Rs. 4,261 million (Rs. 4,261,000,000.00) to the Sri Lanka Air Force, was passed in Parliament today (Nov. 05), following a debate held from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.The Supplementary Estimate was presented to facilitate the payment of the said amount to the Sri Lanka Air Force from the Consolidated Fund, any other fund or money belonging to the Government, or any loan obtained by the Government.The funds are intended to establish an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system for the Sri Lanka Air Force, taking into consideration the changing operational environment, the vulnerability to disasters in the Bay of Bengal and surrounding regions, and the emerging threats arising from persistent adverse weather conditions.Meanwhile, the Trusts (Amendment) Bill was also passed by Parliament today (05), without amendments, following the debate at the Second Reading stage.The Bill, which seeks to amend the Trusts Ordinance (Chapter 87), was presented to Parliament for its First Reading on 21 October 2026 by the Hon. Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara.
2026-11-05
A gradual change in attitudes towards women’s involvement in politics and leadership, through a shift in mindset, is a positive development that can be seen in both global and Sri Lankan politics, as the country moves towards building strong women leaders for the future, stated the Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara.She made these remarks while addressing the Student Parliament of Holy Family Balika Madya Maha Vidyalaya, Marawila, at the Old Parliamentary Chamber of the Presidential Secretariat recently.The Deputy Chairperson of Committees further stated that the increasing strength of women in terms of skills, knowledge and education offers positive prospects for their active contribution to politics and public administration in the future. She also stressed the need for a firm commitment to achieving this goal.Speaking at the event, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Mr. Subash Roshan briefed the students on the Presidential Fund, which provides benefits to the public, including schoolchildren. He also highlighted the importance of preserving good traditions while continuously working towards positive change and social transformation.He further stressed that good habits should begin at home and at school and then spread to the village and the country. He emphasised that social responsibility and self-discipline are essential qualities for schoolchildren.Senior Additional Secretary to the President Mr. Prasanna Chandith, who also participated in the programme, introduced the students to the basic structures of the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. He explained the key elements of democratic governance and the roles played by these institutions.The students were also educated on Parliament and the legislative process by Ms. Chula Herath, Assistant Director (Administration), Human Resource Development of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. She provided them with a practical understanding of democracy and its functioning, the Constitution, Standing Orders, parliamentary traditions and the legislative process.The programme also included the selection of the Speaker of the Student Parliament of Holy Family Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Marawila. The Student Parliament Ministers presented their views and proposals on the programmes they intended to implement under their respective ministries.The programme was jointly organised by the Presidential Secretariat and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
2026-11-05
The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka, H.E. Levan S. Dzhagaryan, met with the Hon. Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, yesterday (Nov. 04) at the Parliamentary premises.During the meeting, the Ambassador handed over an official invitation from the Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Hon. V. Matvienko, inviting the Hon. Speaker to undertake an official visit to the Russian Federation in 2027, at a mutually convenient time.The invitation highlights the importance of further strengthening sustainable, trust-based and constructive relations between the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly and the Parliament of Sri Lanka. It also expresses confidence that the proposed visit would make a significant contribution to advancing Parliamentary dialogue between the two countries and further strengthening bilateral relations across a broad range of areas.The meeting also provided an opportunity for a cordial exchange of views on matters of mutual interest and the continued strengthening of relations between Sri Lanka and the Russian Federation.
2026-11-04
It was decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business meeting held today (Nov. 04), under the chairmanship of the Hon. Speaker of Parliament, (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, to take up Supplementary Estimate No. 8 of 2026 for debate and approval tomorrow (November 05).The Supplementary Estimate has been presented to allocate a sum of Rs. 4,261 million (Rs. 4,261,000,000.00) from the Consolidated Fund or any other fund or money belonging to the Government to the Sri Lanka Air Force.The funds are intended for the establishment of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system for the Sri Lanka Air Force, taking into consideration the changing operational environment and emerging threats arising from persistently adverse weather conditions in the Bay of Bengal and surrounding areas, which are vulnerable to natural disasters.In addition, as previously decided, the Trusts (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading) will be taken up for debate from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., provided that the Bill is not challenged before the Supreme Court under Article 121 of the Constitution.There will be no changes to the parliamentary business scheduled for Friday (06).
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