May 01, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Higher Education has pledged decisive action should it be established that the recent death of a student from Sabaragamuwa University was the result of ragging.

In a statement released to the media, the Ministry confirmed that a formal investigation is now underway and that a dedicated inquiry team has been appointed to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The case concerns the tragic death of a second-year undergraduate from the Faculty of Technical Engineering, who was found dead by suicide at his residence in Gampola on April 29.

The student had reportedly returned home after participating in the university’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year festivities. Allegations have since emerged suggesting that the student endured significant emotional distress linked to degrading treatment by fellow students during the celebration, with some relatives and friends claiming that this humiliation may have directly contributed to his death.

Responding to the growing public concern and extensive media coverage, the Ministry acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and confirmed that it is working in close coordination with both the University Administration and the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Should the findings of the investigation substantiate the claims of ragging, the Ministry assured that firm disciplinary and legal measures would be imposed against all those implicated.

This incident has reignited public debate over the ongoing presence of ragging within Sri Lankan universities—a practice that has been widely condemned yet persists in various forms across institutions.

Whilst once dismissed as a rite of passage, ragging has increasingly been associated with patterns of psychological and physical abuse, with calls intensifying for stricter enforcement and preventative measures.

The Ministry’s latest remarks appear aimed at sending a strong message, not only to university communities but also to the wider public, about the zero-tolerance policy it claims to uphold regarding student harassment and abuse.

Officials have stressed the importance of fostering a safe and respectful environment within higher education institutions, whilst reiterating that mental health and student welfare must be central priorities.

May 01, Colombo (LNW): A leading organisation representing digital media professionals has condemned a new regulation introduced by Sri Lanka’s Department of Government Information, describing it as a direct assault on press freedom and democratic transparency.

According to the Professional Web Journalists Association, a recent decision by the department now makes it compulsory for journalists to obtain official government-issued media accreditation in order to gain access to post-Cabinet media briefings—an event traditionally open to a broader spectrum of media personnel, including independent and online platforms.

In a strongly worded statement, the association criticised the new measure as an unjustifiable barrier to journalistic practice, warning that it undermines the public’s fundamental right to information.

The group expressed grave concern that this development signals an alarming shift towards state control over media access, which could pave the way for selective inclusion and censorship.

“This requirement not only restricts journalistic activity but also casts a shadow over the government’s commitment to democratic principles,” the association noted. “Any attempt to filter who may or may not cover vital governmental proceedings betrays the spirit of transparency that must underpin any functioning democracy.”

The association further called upon the authorities to reverse the decision without delay, insisting that such restrictive practices risk alienating independent journalists and digital media outlets—many of whom play an increasingly vital role in delivering real-time, investigative, and community-based news to the public.

They warned that shrinking space for independent media would not only damage the international perception of Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions but also foster a climate of self-censorship, fear, and institutional mistrust.

Reaffirming its commitment to defend the principles of free expression, the group pledged to continue advocating for unrestricted access to public information and to uphold the tenets of ethical journalism.

In an age where digital platforms have become central to shaping public opinion and holding power to account, the association argued, the government must recognise that media diversity is not a threat but a necessity in a healthy democratic society.

May 01, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s political parties and trade unions are marking International Workers’ Day today with a multitude of rallies and parades held in various parts of the country, each group advancing its own message of solidarity, struggle, or resurgence, in what has become an important annual tradition.

At the heart of Colombo, Galle Face Green will host one of the day’s most prominent gatherings, where the National People’s Power (NPP) will rally under the banner “May Day Rally of the People’s Power Building the Country.”

This large-scale event will be presided over by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, whose leadership has redefined the political narrative in the post-crisis era. Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe stated that all logistics and security arrangements for the rally have been finalised, with crowds expected from across the island.

In the central highlands, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is set to stage its main Labour Day observance at the Lindula Municipal Council Grounds in Talawakele. Party leader Sajith Premadasa will lead the gathering, rallying under the theme “Workers’ Power to Win the Country.”

The location is symbolic, as it lies in the heart of plantation country—a region with a deep-rooted labour history and ongoing demands for wage justice and improved working conditions.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), seeking to re-energise its base after a series of political setbacks, will bring its supporters together at the Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre in Nugegoda.

Under the slogan “We Have Endured the Deception, Let’s Rise Up Now,” the party aims to position itself as the voice of those disillusioned with recent governance transitions. General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam expressed confidence in a significant turnout, viewing the day as an opportunity to rally their traditional voter base.

At the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) headquarters, the Podujana Eksath Peramuna will host a more restrained yet symbolically important celebration. Trade Union Coordinator Prasanna Kalutarage confirmed the event will focus on reaffirming the SLFP’s commitment to labour rights and social justice, themes that have historically formed the bedrock of the party’s ideology.

In Warakapola, the relatively newer political alliance ‘Sarvajana Balaya’ is planning a rally with a modern twist—focusing on transforming workers into entrepreneurs. Under the theme “The Worker Towards Entrepreneurship,” the event, led by MP Dilith Jayaweera, reflects a broader shift in political messaging, where labour empowerment is increasingly linked to innovation, self-reliance, and economic adaptability.

Meanwhile, the Frontline Socialist Party will hold its rally at the Lalith Athulathmudali Stadium in Kirulapone, with the participation of long-time activists and grassroots organisers. The party’s Education Secretary, Pubudu Jagoda, said the event will spotlight class struggle, workers’ dignity, and economic inequality—issues that remain unresolved despite waves of political change.

To manage the influx of participants and the logistical demands of multiple large-scale gatherings, the Police Media Division has implemented a comprehensive traffic control strategy.

With 15 locations in Colombo alone designated for processions and meetings, motorists have been urged to avoid key city arteries and instead use alternate routes where possible.

Security, public safety, and road discipline are being prioritised, with special teams deployed to coordinate event zones and ensure smooth proceedings.

May 01, Colombo (LNW): Despite a noticeable reduction in fuel prices announced by both the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) and the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC), passengers relying on public transport will see no relief in bus fares.

This decision has sparked renewed criticism over the disconnect between fuel pricing and public transportation costs in Sri Lanka.

Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association Chief Gemunu Wijeratne has made it clear that bus fares will not be adjusted downwards, even though the cost of auto diesel—on which most buses operate—has been brought down by Rs. 12 per litre.

With diesel now retailing at Rs. 274 per litre, many commuters had anticipated a corresponding fare reduction, only to be disappointed.

The price revision, effective from midnight on April 30, has seen petrol and diesel fuels slashed significantly. Petrol Octane 92 has dropped by Rs. 6, bringing it to Rs. 293 per litre, while the higher-grade Octane 95 has fallen by Rs. 20 to Rs. 341 per litre. Super Diesel is now priced at Rs. 325, following a Rs. 6 cut, and Kerosene has been reduced to Rs. 178, down by Rs. 5.

By: Isuru Parakrama

May 01, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his official message marking International Workers’ Day, asserted that the current administration has successfully laid the foundation for the country’s economic revival after decades of mismanagement, nepotism, and corruption.

His statement underscored the government’s ongoing efforts to rebuild the nation through policies aimed at equity, inclusion, and social transformation.

Reflecting on the origins of May Day, President Dissanayake paid tribute to the workers of Chicago’s Haymarket Square in 1886, whose demands for an eight-hour workday became the catalyst for the global labour movement.

He emphasised that Sri Lanka today stands at a similar turning point—one led by the will of the people to dismantle entrenched systems of privilege and reclaim governance for the broader public good.

The President highlighted several of the government’s early achievements, including what he described as landmark reforms: a significant increase in the minimum salary for public sector employees and a wide range of support schemes for farmers, fisherfolk, women, students, youth, and small-scale business owners.

These measures, he claimed, marked a departure from past policies that largely benefited a narrow elite.

He acknowledged the structural challenges inherited by his administration, including an economy left in ruins by years of political and fiscal mismanagement. However, he asserted that the government had managed to stabilise the situation and put in motion a recovery plan with visible progress.

Notably, Dissanayake reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the living standards of plantation workers and ensuring their long-overdue civil rights are protected.

Beyond national concerns, the President’s address also looked to the future of global workers’ rights, calling for a new era in human rights that would include digital access, environmental protections, and civil liberties fit for the 21st century.

He pointed out that the evolving nature of global challenges necessitates an updated international framework—one that expands on the principles set out in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

He further acknowledged the burden borne by Sri Lankan workers in navigating the ongoing economic recovery, describing them as the backbone of the nation’s resilience.

In closing, he invited the working people of the country to stand together in unity, not only to defend their own rights but also to contribute to the larger mission of building a dignified, equitable society.

May 01, Colombo (LNW): The Intertropical Convergence Zone (where winds from the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere converge) affects the island’s weather, and showers or thundershowers, therefore, will occur at most places of the island during the afternoon or night, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (01).

Showers may occur in Southern and Western provinces and Puttalam, Ampara and Batticaloa districts in the morning too.

Fairly heavy falls about 75 mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Hambantota and Ampara districts.

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

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central and Uva provinces during the morning.

Marine Weather: