National Transport Commission To Deploy Private Buses On Colombo -Katunayake Express Highway

The National Transport Commission(NTC) has decided to grant permission to run private buses on the newly built Colombo-Katunayake Express Highway .according to the Commission ,Minister Of Private Transport Services C.B Ratnayake has instructed authorities to deploy 18 private buses including 9 luxury and 9 semi luxury buses on the express highway.

Tenders are due to be called on deploying private buses on the highway soon NTC has said.the fares for private  bus service on express highway are Rs.125 for Luxury and Rs.180 for semi luxury buses.

37 Heads Of States In Commonwealth Organization Have Confirmed Their Participation To The Colombo Meeting-Government

From the 53 member countries  belongs to the  Commonwealth of Nations ,heads of states in 37 member countries have been so far confirmed their participation to the Colombo edition of Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting(CHOGM) scheduled to be held in Colombo from 10-17th of November according to government sources.

This number of heads of states participating the Commonwealth Meeting is higher then the previous meeting held in Perth,Australia on October 2011 where 36 heads of states have been participated sources have added .the heads of states in other countries are scheduled to be confirmed their participation to the meeting in coming days government sources have further said.

Train Services Paralyzed Due To The Strike Of Railway Drivers

The Train Services of almost all routes in the island have been delayed today(31) due to the strike action launched by  Sri Lanka Railways power set drivers according to the sources.due to the strike lot of commuters including School Children and Office Workers were faced severe difficulties as several trains have been cancelled sources added.

The strike has been launched due to the dispute among railway staff  sources further said.

Private And SLTB Bus Fares To Be Increased From Tomorrow(01)

The Private and government owned Sri Lanka Transport Board Bus fares are to be increased by 7% with effect from tomorrow(01) the National Transport Commission (NTC) has said.the southern express highway bus fares from Maharagama to Galle too will be increased by Rs.30 from Rs.470 to Rs.500 the commission has revealed.

The Private Bus Owners Unions have accepted the increased bus fare which was announced on 12th of October however stressed the need to increase fare by 12% to cover their losses.the Sri Lanka Private Bus Owners Association has announced that their union will go to courts against Minister of Private Transport Services C.B Ratnayake and Chairman of National Transport Commission for ruining the private bus industry.

Health Ministry Has Not Use Their Powers To Avoid Delays Of PSC-PSNU President

Although the Health Ministry has powers to avoid delays of Public Services Commission(PSC) in getting approval for service constitutions and other reports related to health professionals, ministry has still not been able to avoid those delays of PSC the president of Public Services Nurses Union(PSNU) Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero has said.

If the Health Ministry authorities have used the powers vested with them to avoid delays of PSC  most trade union actions in the health sector could have been averted  venerable thero has stressed.

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) is the latest Trade Union which has decided to launch a trade union action protesting against PSC's delay to approve their service constitution.