The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the commencement of Stage 1 of Phase 4 of the Central Expressway Project, covering the section from Kurunegala to Galewela.

Approval for Phase 4 of the project, which runs from Kurunegala to Dambulla, was granted at the Cabinet meeting held on March 3, 2026. Following discussions by a special committee on economic management to determine funding arrangements, it was decided to implement the project in two phases.

Stage 1 of Phase 4, covering the 38.5-kilometre stretch from Kurunegala to Galewela, will be financed through Government of Sri Lanka funds.

The Cabinet also endorsed a proposal by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to carry out procurement in a manner that enables local contractors to participate, ensuring greater domestic involvement in the project. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police have clarified that a video circulating on social media showing a man striking a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus with a stick is not recent, but relates to an incident that occurred two years ago, on May 22, 2024.

The footage, which has gained traction online in recent days, depicts a private bus driver acting aggressively with a stick during a dispute in Galewela town. 

According to the Police, investigations at the time revealed that the altercation arose because both buses were operating on the same route simultaneously.

The suspect, identified as a driver of a private bus running between Diyasenpura and Colombo, was arrested the following day by Galewela Police on charges of criminal intimidation and attempted assault. 

The targeted SLTB bus, attached to the Dambulla depot, sustained no damage, and no injuries were reported.

Police confirmed that the driver was issued a strong warning and released on bail shortly after the arrest.

They clarified that the incident was resolved in 2024 and that the video of the incident has resurfaced on social media. (Newswire)

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The nominations of a German woman with Sri Lankan citizenship contesting from the Galewala area in the upcoming Local Council Elections have been rejected. 

According to reports, the woman was contesting for the Galewala Pradeshiya Sabha in Matale, the first time a person of foreign descent would have contested in Sri Lanka’s Local Council Elections.

After submitting her nominations to contest as a candidate from an independent group, the woman, identified as ‘Sudu Nona’, said she was contesting to bring changes from the grassroots level. 

She told the media that she was representing the working people and her intention was to bridge the gap between the higher-ups and the bottom level in the Galewala Pradeshiya Sabha. (Newswire)

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A Public Health Inspector (PHI) has been arrested for soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs. 200,000.

According to the Bribery Commission, the PHI officer was arrested for soliciting a bribe to renew the licence of a hotel in Dambulla.

Officials from the Bribery Commission arrested the PHI officer in Galewala yesterday (Feb 14).

He is a Public Health Inspector attached to the Galewala Office of the Medical Officer of Health (MOH).

The PHI officer was arrested based on a complaint filed by a resident of Ibbagamuwa who owns the hotel in question with his close associates. 

Upon inspection of the hotel, the PHI officer is alleged to have solicited a bribe to give the letter with the recommendation related to the renewal of the hotel licence to the local authorities. (Newswire)

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