Expressways generate over Rs. 124 mn. during 2-day holiday period

The Road Development Authority (RDA) has stated that Rs. 124,574,925 in revenue was generated from vehicles using the expressway network during the two recent holidays on August 26 and 27.

During these two days, a total of 325,316 vehicles travelled across the entire expressway network. On August 26, a total of 163,763 vehicles used the expressways, generating revenue of Rs. 60,409,995.

On August 27, 161,553 vehicles travelled on the expressways, generating total revenue of Rs. 64,164,930.

The highest volume of vehicular traffic during the two days was recorded on the Southern Expressway (E01) and the Outer Circular Expressway (E02).

The Final Randoli perahera of this year’s Kandy Esala Perahera paraded the streets of Kandy last night (Aug. 28).

The honour of carrying the Sacred Tooth Relic Casket during the final Randoli Perahera was bestowed upon the tusker ‘Wasana’ of Katharagama.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also joined thousands of devotees and spectators to witness the procession.

Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha, Central Province Governor Dr Harsha Suranga, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha(Retired) and Inspector General of Police Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya were among those present, along with foreign Ambassadors and senior representatives of the security forces.

The Day Perahera and ‘Diya Kepeema’ ceremony today concludes year’s Esala Perahera festival.

(Pics : Sri Dalada Maligawa)

Officials are examining legal avenues to extradite former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran from Singapore, after the process faces a legal barrier, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala has said.

The minister had said this during a TV programme earlier this week.Wijepala said Mahendran, who is residing in Singapore as a Singapore citizen, has even  changed his name.

Meanwhile, proceedings related to the Central Bank bond case are continuing, the minister added.

According to details received by the Criminal Investigation Division, Mahendran has changed his name to ‘Harjan Alexander after the CID sought an INTERPOL red notice for his arrest.
Singapore has previously declined Sri Lanka’s request to extradite Mahendran, saying the request did not meet the legal requirements under Singapore’s Extradition Act.

Mahendran is wanted in Sri Lanka in connection with legal proceedings stemming from the Central Bank bond transactions. He was indicted in June 2019 before the Permanent High Court at Bar for causing losses of over US$11 million to the state. 

Former national cricketer T.M. Dilshan has lodged a complaint with the Colombo Central Criminal Investigation Bureau (CCIB) over social media posts that have linked him and arrested drug trafficker – Shiran Basik.

Dilshan says that the false and defamatory social media content posted for mere views,  have damaged his reputation he had built over 20 years of dedicated service to the country.

Emphasising that he is not connected to any improper financial transactions or illegal activities, he adds that these fake reports are also affecting his children as well.

He also urged social media users to act responsibly and refrain from using the names of public figures to spread false information for views or publicity.

Dilshan said his lawyers were preparing to take further legal action against those responsible for such defamatory posts.

(Video: VoiceTUBE)