Category: Shipping and Transport

A stock of rice from Singaporeans sits at the Katunayake cargo hold before dispatch. Relief aid for tsunami victims floods in from over 40 countries.   Cargo flights carrying relief are still rushing in, as an emergency team works to keep Sri Lanka’s single airport from choking on the aid and blocking urgent supplies. A […]

National carrier SriLankan Airlines is waiving off ground handling charges on all relief cargo that arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport, as part of its efforts to help the tidal wave wreaked island.National carrier SriLankan Airlines is waiving off ground handling charges on all relief cargo that arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport, as part […]

Fuel tanks at Sri Lanka’s sole international airport went dry on Sunday, due to an unusual high demand of cargo flights carrying emergency supplies for tsunami affected victims, officials said. Fuel tanks at Sri Lanka’s sole international airport went dry on Sunday, due to an unusual high demand of cargo flights carrying emergency supplies for […]

Sunday’s tsunami has uprooted Sri Lanka’s transport systems and left the railway with damages mounting over Rs 6 bn.Sunday’s tsunami has uprooted Sri Lanka’s transport systems and left the railway with damages mounting over Rs 6 bn. “There are extensive damages to the coastal rail system,”said Priyal de Silva, General Manager, Sri Lanka Railways. “The […]

All rail services on the southern coastal belt and the upcountry service have been discontinued indefinitely after an early morning tidal wave wrecked havoc on Sri Lanka’s shore line. All rail services on the southern coastal belt and the upcountry service have been discontinued indefinitely after an early morning tidal wave wrecked havoc on Sri […]

Sri Lanka will soon have to amend its bilateral Air Service Agreements with European countries, as the EU lobbies for a ‘common clause’. Sri Lanka will soon have to amend its bilateral Air Service Agreements with European countries, as the EU lobbies for a ‘common clause’. The clause will allow any European carrier to use […]

A Cathay Pacific flight was diverted to Sri Lanka Friday to seek emergency medical help for a Japanese woman who was declared dead on arrival in hospital after suffering a blood clot, officials said.A Cathay Pacific flight was diverted to Sri Lanka Friday to seek emergency medical help for a Japanese woman who was declared […]

The Railway Dept. says it urgently needs to hike its fares to cushion a 10 percent rise in its recurrent costs. The Railway Dept. says it urgently needs to hike its fares to cushion a 10 percent rise in its recurrent costs. A raised salary bill and higher fuel cost compared to a year ago […]

Bicycles will be brought under the local government’s fold again, with a draft legislation looking to tighten the chains on the industry.Officials say bicycles licenses, which went out of use in the mid 1990s will be brought back, to help regulate users, curb road accidents and the industry. Meanwhile, the draft legislation also hopes make […]

Sri Lanka’s aviation authorities have identified a new location for the second international airport for the island. Sri Lanka’s aviation authorities have identified a new location for the second international airport for the island. The 800-acre plot is located in Habaraduwa in the Galle District, near an existing airstrip in Koggala. “The next step will […]

Trishaw owners have become a privileged lot, first fuel subsidies and tax cuts from the government and now individual attention from Peoples Bank.Trishaw owners have become a privileged lot, first fuel subsidies and tax cuts from the government and now individual attention from Peoples Bank. The bank says there are 200,000 registered three wheelers, with […]

The contentious Southern expressway’s troubles are still far from over, with the Rs.27 bn road ending up before the UN this week.The contentious Southern expressway’s troubles are still far from over, with the Rs. 27 bn road ending up before the UN this week. The ill-fated highway went before the United Nations Human Rights Commission […]