Out of the box (English)

In a bold move to tackle the alarming rise in road accidents, the Sri Lanka Police have rolled out state-of-the-art US-made speed guns worth Rs. 91 million. These high-tech devices, designed to detect speeding vehicles day and night, aim to curb reckless driving and save lives. With 24,589 traffic accidents reported in 2024 alone, including 2,242 fatal incidents, this initiative could be a game-changer for road safety across the island.

The first phase of distribution saw 30 speed guns handed over to traffic officers in Negombo, Kelaniya, Gampaha, and the Western Provincial Traffic (South) Division. Acting Inspector General of Police emphasized that these devices, which use advanced laser technology, will soon be deployed island-wide.

Speeding has been a major contributor to road accidents, with 31,182 cases recorded last year, leading to 731 crashes. The new speed guns are expected to help traffic officers enforce speed limits more effectively. To ensure seamless implementation, the Police Traffic Division will provide comprehensive training to officers on operating the cutting-edge technology.

For two long years, former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has been unable to return to his home, which now lies in ruins. In an emotional interview with Dinamina, Nanayakkara opened up about how his brother’s involvement in a financial fraud scandal not only destroyed their family bond but also left him without a roof over his head.

Speaking to Dinamina, the former minister revealed that he had to run his election campaign from a different location due to the fallout from his brother’s financial misconduct. Nanayakkara was the first to expose the fraud, a decision that led to the complete breakdown of their once-close relationship. “From the day I filed the complaint, I cut all ties with him,” he said, highlighting the emotional and personal consequences of the scandal.

Nanayakkara also shared his thoughts on the complexities of family relationships, noting that even siblings born to the same parents can grow up to be completely different people.

Death row inmate Duminda Silva has once again been admitted to the Prisons Hospital following a sudden health complication, the Prisons Department confirmed.

Silva, who had been under treatment at the Prisons Hospital for some time, was transferred to the Welikada Prison on January 10. However, he was later rushed to the National Hospital, Colombo, after experiencing a sudden medical issue while in the general ward at Welikada.

His treatment at the Prisons Hospital was initially based on the recommendations of a specialist from the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital. After a written inquiry from the Commissioner General of Prisons to the Director General of Health, a panel of 18 specialist doctors was appointed to assess Silva’s medical needs.

Following their evaluation, the medical team concluded that Silva did not require continuous hospitalisation unless an emergency arose. They recommended immediate treatment only in the event of a medical complication.

Prisons Spokesman Gamini Dissanayake explained that Silva was admitted to the National Hospital based on the recommendation of the Prisons Hospital’s doctor after an unexpected health issue occurred at Welikada.

After receiving treatment at the National Hospital, Silva was transferred back to the Prisons Hospital on Sunday. “The Chief Medical Officer of the Prisons Hospital recommended continued care at the facility,” Dissanayake stated.

Silva remains under treatment at the Prisons Hospital, with further updates on his condition expected on January 15, the spokesman added.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met today (12) with officials from Sri Lanka Customs and key port service providers to address ongoing delays in the clearance of imported containers. The President has called for urgent action to resolve the issue within four days, as stated by the President’s Media Division (PMD).

During the meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, President Dissanayake listened attentively to the challenges faced by both state institutions, like Sri Lanka Customs, and the port service providers. He emphasized the importance of a coordinated effort between public and private sectors to tackle the current crisis. As a result, all parties agreed to collaborate towards an immediate resolution.

A key decision was to have Sri Lanka Customs operate 24/7 in order to expedite the clearance process. Additionally, a 5-acre land plot in the Bloemendhal area will be used for storing containers awaiting investigation. Two acres of this land are expected to be freed up by January 31, with the remainder available by February 28.

To address congestion at port terminals caused by idle container vehicles, the government has agreed to allocate land in Peliyagoda for parking, easing traffic bottlenecks.

Delays caused by regulatory agencies, such as the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), the Department of Food Commissioner, and the Plant Quarantine Division, were also discussed. These delays were largely attributed to staffing shortages. The President has directed that these vacancies be filled quickly, and welfare allowances for officers in these agencies will be increased to improve efficiency.

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Bimal Ratnayake, assured that any financial requirements for the improvements could be met by the Ministry of Ports. The President was also urged to take disciplinary action against clerical staff who do not report for duty on time during the clearance process. Minister Ratnayake reminded private sector companies of their responsibility to ensure their employees show up on time.

In line with government regulations, importers have agreed that food-related products will now require mandatory certification from foreign laboratories to ensure proper testing. Legal action will be taken for any violations.

As part of the new measures, the free storage period for containers within port premises will be reduced to two days, with plans to further shorten this to one day by June.

Minister Ratnayake further confirmed that the expedited clearance process would continue until June 30, urging all stakeholders—port authorities, customs, and private service providers—to work together as a unified team.

The meeting was attended by several high-level officials, including the Minister of Labour, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, and the Secretary to the President, along with representatives from Sri Lanka Customs, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, and various associations involved in import and export clearance operations.