April 28, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the most parts of the island after 1.00 pm.

Showers are likely at some places in Southern province and in Ampara district during the morning too.

Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central and Southern provinces and in Mannar district.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Anuradhapura and Kurunegala districts during the early hours of the morning

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Marine Weather:

Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.

Winds:
Winds will be southerly or variable. Wind speed will be (20-30) kmph.

State of Sea:
The sea areas around the island will be slight to moderate.

Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.

By: Staff Writer

April 27, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s power sector remained under intense financial pressure in 2025, with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) posting a loss of Rs. 38.7 billion despite multiple tariff adjustments and ongoing reform measures, according to the Central Bank’s Annual Economic Review.

The losses highlight a persistent imbalance between electricity pricing and generation costs. At the start of the year, tariffs were reduced by an average of 20% in January 2025, following earlier cuts in 2024. While intended to ease consumer burdens, the move significantly weakened the CEB’s revenue base. At the same time, a dry spell forced increased reliance on expensive thermal power generation during the first quarter, sharply driving up operational costs.

Although a 15% tariff hike was introduced in June 2025 to counteract these pressures, it proved insufficient to offset earlier losses. Financial strain continued to build, with short-term borrowings rising to Rs. 206.2 billion by the end of the year, up from Rs. 174.3 billion in 2024. Long-term liabilities also edged higher to Rs. 411.2 billion.

A further tariff increase of 10.3% came into effect in April 2026, reflecting continued dependence on price revisions to stabilize the utility’s finances. However, the repeated adjustments underscore the structural challenges facing the sector.

Electricity demand grew by 5.8% in 2025, mirroring the broader economic recovery. Growth was seen across all major consumer categories, with household demand accelerating from the second quarter. However, momentum slowed toward the end of the year due to disruptions caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

On the supply side, improved hydropower conditions provided some relief. Reservoir levels averaged 69.6% during the year, allowing hydropower to contribute 35.5% of total generation. Coal accounted for 27.4%, fuel-based generation 12.5%, and non-conventional renewable energy 24.7%. Solar power saw particularly strong growth, with rooftop installations nearly doubling, signaling a shift toward decentralized energy sources.

Structural reforms gathered pace during the year, including the passage of new legislation to restructure the CEB into four state-owned entities covering generation, transmission, distribution, and system operations. These changes are expected to enhance efficiency, improve governance, and introduce competition into the electricity market.

At the same time, investment in renewable energy infrastructure accelerated, with projects spanning hydropower, wind, solar, and battery storage. Funding support from international partners, including the Asian Development Bank, has played a key role in advancing these initiatives.

Despite progress, the Central Bank stressed that long-term sustainability will depend on maintaining cost-reflective pricing, deepening reforms, and expanding renewable energy capacity to reduce reliance on costly thermal generation.

By: Staff Writer

April 27, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is entering a decisive demographic turning point, one that could quietly reshape its economic future far more than any short-term fiscal crisis. The latest population data reveals not just how many people live in the country, but who they are and more importantly, who will be missing from the workforce in the years ahead.

The population now stands at 21.78 million, but the real story lies in its ageing structure. Nearly 18% of citizens are over 60, while the child population has fallen to just over one-fifth. With an Aging Index of 87, the country is approaching a balance where the elderly nearly match the young a stark reversal from past decades.

This shift is driven by a persistently low fertility rate of 1.3, well below the level needed to sustain population replacement. At the same time, the median age has climbed to 35, signaling a society that is no longer youthful but steadily maturing. The implications are clear: a shrinking pipeline of future workers and a rising burden on those who remain economically active.

However even within the existing working-age population, inefficiencies are glaring. Although 61.3% of Sri Lankans fall within working age, less than half actively participate in the labour force. Structural barriers—not a lack of opportunity alone are at play. Many women remain outside formal employment due to caregiving responsibilities, while a significant portion of men are still in prolonged education or lack market-ready skills.

Compounding this issue is a cultural and technological shift among younger generations. Increasingly absorbed in mobile phones and social media, many youths are disengaged from skill-building pathways that lead to productive employment. Digital literacy may be rising, but it does not necessarily translate into technical competence or professional readiness. This creates a paradox: a connected generation that is not fully equipped to contribute meaningfully to economic growth.

Meanwhile, the country faces a growing social care burden. Over 640,000 people live alone, with a majority being elderly women. Chronic illnesses are widespread, particularly among older populations, placing further strain on healthcare systems and public finances.

However, within this challenge lies an overlooked opportunity. Sri Lanka’s elderly population is not merely dependent it is also experienced, skilled, and potentially invaluable. Many retirees possess decades of professional, technical, and administrative expertise that remain untapped.

Countries like Japan have demonstrated how ageing societies can still thrive economically by integrating senior citizens into advisory and mentorship roles. In Japan, retired professionals actively support policymaking, corporate governance, and skills transfer, ensuring that institutional knowledge is not lost.

Sri Lanka could adopt a similar model. By creating structured platforms for retired engineers, teachers, administrators, and industry experts to mentor younger workers and advise government initiatives, the country could bridge its growing skills gap. Such engagement would not only reduce dependency but also reinforce institutional continuity.

The census ultimately presents a warning but also a roadmap. Without intervention, demographic trends could constrain growth and strain public resources. With strategic thinking, however, Sri Lanka can transform its ageing population into an asset, ensuring that experience complements youth rather than replaces it.

April 27, Colombo (LNW): A high-level coordination meeting was convened at Army Headquarters to accelerate the construction of temporary housing for families displaced by Cyclone Ditwah.

The session was led by Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara, who underscored the urgency of providing safe shelter to those affected.

Officials reviewed the current pace of work and explored ways to fast-track the rollout of interim housing across some of the hardest-hit districts, including Kegalle, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Badulla. Authorities indicated that the initiative aims to relocate around 1,000 displaced residents into secure, liveable accommodation as quickly as possible.

Construction work is expected to begin in early May, with the Sri Lanka Army taking a leading role in delivering the project. Military engineers and personnel are set to be deployed to ensure rapid progress while maintaining structural standards.

The programme forms part of the Government’s broader “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” effort, which seeks to restore communities impacted by natural disasters. During the meeting, the Deputy Minister called for a comprehensive action plan with firm deadlines, noting that delays could worsen the hardship faced by affected families.

Discussions also highlighted ongoing efforts to identify suitable land for the shelters. This process is being carried out in coordination with district authorities and technical experts from the National Building Research Institute, with a strong emphasis on selecting locations that meet safety and environmental criteria.

Emphasis was placed on maintaining transparency and accountability throughout the project, alongside improving collaboration between agencies to prevent bottlenecks. Senior military officials, representatives from disaster management bodies, and housing authorities were present at the meeting, reflecting a multi-agency approach to the recovery effort.

April 27, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake convened a high-level meeting with senior officials from the Inland Revenue Department this (27) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat, signalling a renewed push to strengthen the country’s tax administration.

Talks centred on expanding the national tax base, improving compliance among taxpayers, and accelerating the recovery of long-overdue revenue. Officials also presented an overview of the department’s performance so far in 2026, highlighting both progress made and areas still requiring attention, according to an official communication.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on modernising the institution itself. Plans to restructure internal operations and introduce more advanced digital systems were examined in detail, with emphasis on improving efficiency and transparency. Among the key initiatives reviewed was the rollout of a nationwide electronic invoicing platform, seen as a cornerstone of future tax reforms.

The President urged authorities to adhere strictly to deadlines, stressing that delays would undermine broader fiscal objectives. He called for tighter coordination and accountability to ensure the successful implementation of these reforms.

Several prominent figures were in attendance, including Anil Jayantha Fernando, who serves as Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, as well as Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera. Also present were Presidential Secretary Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and Inland Revenue Commissioner General R. P. H. Fernando, alongside other senior officials.

April 27, Colombo (LNW): A traffic management plan will be implemented across Colombo tomorrow (28), in connection with the concluding event of the “Ehipassiko Walk for Peace,” the Police Media Division has confirmed.

In an official statement, police said the programme is set to commence at 4:00 p.m. at Independence Square in Colombo 07, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

To facilitate the event, vehicle movement will be restricted from 11:00 a.m. onwards along a number of main roads, depending on prevailing conditions. The affected routes include Baseline Road (from the Bandaranaike Roundabout to Borella Junction), Maradana Road, Nandadasa Kodagoda Mawatha, Ward Place, Zoysa Roundabout, Lipton Roundabout, Dharmapala Mawatha, F.R. Senanayake Mawatha, C.W.W. Kannangara Mawatha, Horton Roundabout, the vicinity of Nanda Motors, Nidahas Mawatha, Premasiri Kemadasa Mawatha, Cambridge Place, the Glass House area, Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Library Junction, Flower Road, Pittala Junction, James Peiris Mawatha, Muttiah Road, Baybrook Road, Staple Street, Gangaramaya Temple Road, as well as all surrounding roads in the vicinity of Gangaramaya Temple.

Sri Lanka Police have urged motorists and the public to use alternative routes wherever possible to ease congestion and reduce inconvenience during the period of restrictions.

The internationally recognised “Walk for Peace,” which commenced on April 22 from Dambulla, will reach its conclusion in Colombo tomorrow. The spiritual procession has journeyed through several major cities, including Kandy, carrying a sacred Bodhi sapling from the revered Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, while promoting messages of unity, compassion, and social harmony.

The concept follows an earlier international initiative, during which more than 200 Buddhist monks undertook a 110-day peace march across the United States, travelling from Texas to Washington, crossing ten states and attracting global attention.

The Sri Lankan event of the “Ehipassiko Walk for Peace” has been organised with state sponsorship. A group of monks led by Venerable Pannakara Thero of Vietnam has arrived in the country to take part in the walk.

Accompanying the monks throughout the procession is a dog named “Aloka,” which has drawn interest as an unusual yet endearing participant in the journey.

April 27, Colombo (LNW): MP Archchuna Ramanathan has been taken into police custody following a confrontation in Periyavilaan, Jaffna, where he is accused of threatening two women with a pistol during a dispute over land ownership.

Police confirmed that one of the women involved in the altercation was also arrested on Sunday (26), as inquiries continue into the incident, which has heightened tensions in the area.

According to investigators, the dispute began when the MP arrived at a plot of land he maintains is legally his, intending to begin preparatory work. However, another party contested his claim, leading to a heated exchange. Matters reportedly escalated when two women challenged his presence on the property.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that during the argument, the MP, appearing agitated, allegedly drew a firearm and directed threats at the women, who were unarmed at the time. The incident quickly drew public attention, prompting police intervention.

It is understood that the Mallakam Magistrate’s Court had earlier issued an order recognising the MP’s ownership of the land and permitting construction activities. Despite this, competing claims over the property appear to have reignited the conflict when he visited the site.

Authorities have stated that further investigations are in progress, including efforts to verify witness statements and examine any available evidence related to the alleged use of the weapon.