State-owned supermarket chain, ‘Lanka Sathosa’, has rolled out a special island‑wide sales promotion from today (20), aimed at providing consumers with essential food items and goods at reduced prices during the upcoming Sinhala and Hindu New Year festive season.

According to the Ministry of Trade, operating under the theme “Avurudu Siri from Sathosa”, the program offers discounts of up to 40% on 600 categories of essential goods. 

Customers making purchases above Rs. 2,500 will also receive coupons eligible for prizes.

The promotion will conclude at the end of April with a grand draw, where winners will receive prizes including a BAW electric car, electric scooters, household item sets, and smart mobile phones.

Price reductions on several essential goods have already been introduced, with Lanka Sathosa planning further reductions in the coming weeks.

Announcing the initiative at a press conference today, Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said Lanka Sathosa has drawn up a plan to ensure that consumers can access goods without shortages during the festive season.

“The Middle East conflict was reported at the end of February. Because we prepared from the beginning of March, we are able to provide relief to consumers during the festive season, offering goods at prices lower than the market without shortages. The aim now is not for Lanka Sathosa to make profits, but to provide relief to the people against the pressures and difficulties they face, ensuring that their shopping basket brings some comfort.

“Through our nearly 430 outlets, we will provide these concessionary prices until the end of the festive season. As a government, we are committed to giving maximum relief to the people through government institutions. Daily wage earners such as grass cutters, firewood collectors, labourers, and those commuting to work by motorcycle are facing hardships due to fuel shortages. We decided to provide relief through Lanka Sathosa by offering goods at reduced prices to prevent them from facing economic difficulties, too. Therefore, we invite the public to come to Lanka Sathosa to buy goods for affordable prices,” he said. (Newswire)

The post Lanka Sathosa offers festive relief with 600 essential goods at reduced prices appeared first on Newswire.

The Ministry of Transport has announced a combined public transport plan with the involvement of the National Transport Commission (NTC), Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and Sri Lanka Railways, in view of the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival.

Accordingly, the combined public transport plan will be effective from 09- 21 April 2025 for the convenience of people visiting their hometowns during this period. 

Long-distance buses have been planned along the five main corridors of Kandy, Puttalam, High-level/ Low-level, Dambulla, and Galle. Apart from the permanent timetable, an additional 500 journeys have been included by the NTC and the SLTB. 

An additional 350 buses have been deployed for services on the expressways from the Makunbura, Kadawatha, Kaduwela, and Colombo Bastian Mawatha depots to Galle, Matara, Badulla, Tangalle, and Kataragama. 

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Railways has introduced additional train journeys from Colombo-Fort to Badulla, Kandy and Galle, apart form the regular train services. 

An operation centre and a customer care centre operating 24/7 have also been established for the special bus and train services, which could be contacted via the hotline 1955 or WhatsApp number 071-2595555.

The public can contact the hotline 1958 regarding services of the SLTB and the hotline 1971 for services related to Sri Lanka Railways. (Newswire)

The post Integrated public transport plan announced for April New Year season appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka Railways has announced special train services in view of the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival and the coinciding long weekend. 

Accordingly, the special train services will be operated from Colombo-Fort to Badulla, Anuradhapura, and Galle during this period. 

Arrangements have also been made for the reservation of first, second, and third-class train tickets.

The Railway department states that the Special train services will be operated from 10 to 20 April 2025. (Newswire)

The post Special train services for April New Year & long weekend appeared first on Newswire.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed officials to develop a formal program aimed at maintaining essential services and public services seamlessly during the upcoming April New Year season. 

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), this initiative is intended to guarantee the smooth operation of essential services without any disruptions during the festive season.

In addition, the President has emphasized that institutions that fall under essential categories such as the Presidential Secretariat, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Ministries of Defence, Health, Transport, and Power and Energy must collaborate to prepare this program jointly.

Furthermore, for the upcoming New Year season, the President has directed the security forces to execute a comprehensive program to ensure public security and the maintenance of law and order across the country. (NewsWire)

The post President orders continuation of Essential Services during April New Year season appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka Railways has announced the addition of special train services in view of the upcoming April festive season. 

According to a Railway Department statement, the special train services will be effective from 10 – 15 April 2024.

Train services have been added for the convenience of people visiting their hometowns during the festive season. (NewsWire)

The post Additional train services for April New Year appeared first on Newswire.