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Death toll rises to 188 after two earthquakes struck Venezuela

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Death toll rises to 188 after two earthquakes struck Venezuela

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing widespread destruction in and around the capital, Caracas, with hundreds confirmed dead and thousands feared trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck approximately 160 kilometres west of Caracas, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor—the country’s strongest earthquake in more than a century.

The twin earthquakes hit a nation already struggling with years of economic hardship, leaving vulnerable infrastructure and complicating rescue and recovery operations.

Emergency crews worked through the night searching for survivors beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings, while residents in some areas complained of delays in receiving assistance.

Jorge Rodriguez, head of Venezuela’s National Assembly and brother of interim President Delcy Rodriguez, said at least 188 people have been confirmed dead, while around 200 people remain trapped.

He added that 1,520 people were injured and more than 250 buildings were damaged or destroyed in the disaster.

The worst-hit area was La Guaira state, near Caracas, which President Delcy Rodriguez described as “a disaster zone.”

She said the government is working with private companies to deploy heavy machinery and accelerate search-and-rescue operations as authorities race to locate survivors.

Rescue efforts are continuing amid concerns that the death toll could rise significantly as teams gain access to heavily damaged areas.

Namal Rajapaksa Urges Government to Focus on Cost of Living, Not Arrests

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Namal Rajapaksa Urges Government to Focus on Cost of Living, Not Arrests

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa has called on the government to prioritise addressing the rising cost of living, arguing that the public is more concerned about increasing household expenses than comments on arrests, investigations and court cases.

In a statement, Rajapaksa criticised President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for commenting on potential arrests and legal proceedings in Parliament, saying the President should not appear to be directing the Police, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) or the judiciary.

“If there are cases, let the law take its course. We are ready to face any investigation and any legal process because we have faith in the justice system,” he said.

Rajapaksa said the government’s primary focus should be on easing the financial burden faced by families across the country, citing the continued rise in the cost of living.

He also alleged that the administration, despite being elected on promises of clean governance, is now facing serious corruption allegations. Rajapaksa questioned the response of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to claims involving members of the government.

He urged the President to concentrate on tackling the country’s economic challenges and addressing public concerns over corruption rather than commenting on arrests and court proceedings.

O/L re-scrutiny applications open until July 8

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O/L re-scrutiny applications open until July 8

The Ministry of Education has announced that applications for the re-scrutiny of the 2025 (2026) G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) examination results will be accepted from June 25 to July 8.

Both school and private candidates must submit their applications online individually through the Department of Examinations website (www.doenets.lk). Applications submitted through any other method will not be accepted.

Candidates should visit www.doenets.lk, select the “Exam Information Centre” under “Our Services”, and complete the application. Existing users can log in using their examination number and National Identity Card (NIC) number, while new users must register with their NIC number and mobile phone number.

The Department has advised applicants to carefully read the technical and general instructions and watch the instructional video before submitting the application.

The re-scrutiny fee is Rs. 200 per subject and can be paid using a credit card, debit card, or at post offices. After payment, candidates should download and retain the application in PDF format. An SMS confirmation will also be sent.

The Department noted that candidates may submit the online application only once, and the fee is non-refundable after payment.

For further information, candidates can contact the 1911 hotline or 0112 785 231.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 26 JUNE 2026

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WEATHER FORECAST FOR 26 JUNE 2026

Showers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 p.m.

Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Government turns to Public for Revenue Reform Blueprint

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Government turns to Public for Revenue Reform Blueprint

By: Staff Writer

June 25, LNW (Colombo):The government embarks on an unprecedented initiative aimed at reshaping the country’s long-term strategy to increase state revenue sustaining economic recovery

Finance Ministry through its Revenue Management Committee (RMC), has requested recommendations before June 12, from experts, institutions, businesses and even individual citizens to strengthen public finances.  

This policy initiative aims to crowd-source data-driven and analytical insights to achieve an ambitious long-term government revenue target of 20 percent of GDP (up from current projected levels of roughly 15.4 percent), a senior high official told the Sunday Times Business 

Under its ongoing Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Sri Lanka faces aggressive revenue-based consolidation targets.

Crowdsourcing solutions helps find ways to scale revenue without stifling the economic recovery while broadening a narrow tax base, he said.  

Sri Lanka’s tax collection relies heavily on consumption-based indirect taxes like Value Added Tax (VAT). 

The RMC is explicitly seeking for structural recommendations to capture the extensive informal economy and shift smoothly toward direct taxation.

Previous unilateral adjustments, such as sharp corporate hikes or strict thin capitalisation rules, met severe resistance from groups like the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. 

Further co-authoring fiscal frameworks with society preempts industrial friction and builds civic trust, he explained.

Inviting think-tanks, professional bodies (such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka), and academic researchers allows the government to utilise high-level economic modeling without overwhelming state resource limits, RMC report revealed. 

The government is prioritising structural digitalisation. Public contributions are likely to yield actionable strategies on implementing modern tools like RAMIS, mandatory e-filing, e-invoicing, and risk-based audit selection frameworks.

Aligning with the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan, open public scrutiny aids in designing mechanisms that eliminate arbitrary bureaucrat discretion within the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), Customs, and Excise units, it added. 

This latest public participatory initiative deviates from traditional policymaking processes that are often confined to government officials and international advisers or foreign consultants,  

In this context finance ministry seeks contributions from universities, research institutes, think tanks, professional associations, private-sector organizations, non-governmental organizations and qualified individuals with expertise in fiscal matters.

The ministry pursues public input on increasing revenue, formalizing the informal economy, expanding the tax base, and digitalising agencies to improve compliance

 Sri Lanka’s fiscal issues require more than tax rate hikes, as evasion, weak compliance, and a large informal economy continue to hinder revenue collection.

The initiative aims to formalise the country’s large informal economy, which currently limits revenue collection and burdens compliant taxpayers. Finance ministry official noted that collecting proposals is only the first step. 

The real challenge lies in how politicians are willing to introduce changes in their policies and make other politically sensitive decisions.

The members need to come up with an elaborate report analyzing the implementation process, the financial implications of the proposal, and the risks involved.

On the other hand, institutions need to state their registration particulars, while individuals are free to provide their identity particulars.

Sri Lanka Government Audit exposes Rs 2.67 billion treasury debt gap

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Sri Lanka Government Audit exposes Rs 2.67 billion treasury debt gap

By: Staff Writer

June 25, LNW (Colombo): The Auditor General’s Department  of Sri Lanka, has  released the audit review of the Government’s 2025 Financial Statements, exposing a Rs. 2.67 billion reconciliation gap, unrecorded foreign loans, and major reporting inconsistencies within the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

Concurrently, as of June 2026, Sri Lanka’s total central government debt sits at USD 98.96 billion, with a stabilizing post-restructuring external debt profile according to finance ministry reports. .

The Auditor General’s review highlighted significant systemic vulnerabilities, accounting mistakes, and data mismatches.

Auditors detected a net discrepancy of Rs 2.672 billion between the opening balances in the Debt Management System’s Stock and Flow.

Despite Treasury assurances, the Auditor General warned of a “high potential” that foreign loan proceeds received during 2025 completely bypassed both the Government Financial Statements and the core Debt Management System. 

[Financial statements erroneously overstated loan disbursements by Rs 2.01 billion across four foreign loan agreements.

Missing” Assets against Loans

A staggering Rs 518.3 billion in foreign loan balances remains active on the books without any corresponding physical or capital assets identified in government accounting logs.

A previously flagged discrepancy of Rs 1.07 billion across three foreign loans dating back to December 31, 2024, remained unrectified by the Treasury.

Discrepancies were noted in the accounting treatment of IMF loans under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) and the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

The audit questioned whether loan expenses and interest costs were calculated or assigned to the correct accounting periods.Unregistered Program Accounts: 

The National Audit Office discovered that the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” program operates informally via an account under the Deputy Secretary to the Treasury without a legally established statutory fund.

 Data released by the newly formed Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) outlines the country’s fiscal reality: Debt Volume etc

Sri Lanka’s central government debt component stands at USD 98,965 million.Total External Debt: Settled at US$ 37,468 million, down nominally by $195 million from the prior quarter. 

Multilateral lenders hold the majority at 38 percent, followed by Commercial debt (mostly International Sovereign Bonds – ISBs) at 34 percent, and Bilateral creditors at 28 percent

Because of extensive maturity extensions secured during external debt restructuring, the immediate pressure on foreign reserves has been heavily mitigated

The Ministry of Finance sustained its repayment momentum by launching a cash tender offer to wrap up remaining 2022 ISBs. All outstanding settlements to accepting bondholders were cleanly finalised, boosting international market credibility.

In addition, in February 2026, Sri Lanka launched a cash tender offer for the remaining 2022 ISBs 

In parallel, the Rs 500 Billion supplementary allocation approved by Parliament to address the fallout from Cyclone Ditwah has fundamentally adjusted Sri Lanka’s 2026 fiscal baseline.

To correct the data gaps and the Rs 518.3 billion in asset mismatches flagged by the Auditor General, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury is deploying a multi-step rectification framework, Integration of Debt Systems and Financial Statements.

The primary objective is connecting the Commonwealth Meridian debt management system (used for stock and flow tracking) directly with the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS). 

This enforces dual-entry verification, ensuring that when a foreign loan disbursement occurs, a corresponding asset entry or capital expenditure record is created automatically to prevent unrecorded inflows. 

To resolve the Auditor General’s findings on informal program management, the Treasury is transitioning accounts like the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” ledger into legally recognised Statutory Funds. 

This brings them under standard government accounting codes and cuts down period-cut recording errors.

Rs.15 Billion BIA Upgrade Fast-Tracks Capacity Boost amid Delays

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Rs.15 Billion BIA Upgrade Fast-Tracks Capacity Boost amid Delays

By: Staff Writer

June 25, LNW (Colombo): Kataunayake Bandaranaike International Airport undergoes major renovation at present   in a fast-tracked plan consisting of 4 to 5 discrete sub-projects to expand the capacity of the existing Terminal 1.

This local project aims to lift Terminal 1’s handling capacity from 6 million to 10 million passengers annually. It is being funded entirely via local state resources to bypass foreign funding delays.

In the interim, the airport has set up 14 extra check-in gates inside a temporary marquee structure with private sector assistance to handle an additional 10 to 20 aircraft daily.

To manage the heavy congestion while BIA terminal 2 is stalled, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku announced a Rs. 15 billion structural overhaul of terminal 1 funded completely by local resources.

The project layout included, the expanding of main departure zone to manage peak-hour passenger backlogs.

The other components are constructing and installing additional permanent check-in counters to reduce wait times and completely restructuring the physical layout of the arrival hall to handle higher foot traffic and streamline passenger flow into the country.

It has been plan to Replace and expand the current carousel lines with a higher-capacity automated system to prevent luggage pile-ups, while enlarging the square footage allocated for duty-free shopping areas.

The architectural designs are finalized, and all regulatory approvals have been cleared. One of the core sub-projects has already been officially awarded, while the remaining contracts are currently in the final stages of local government allocation, he revealed. 

The construction and expansion of the BIA Terminal 2 (often mixed up with Terminal 1 upgrades) is currently in a critical re-tendering and evaluation phase, he disclosed.  

Ground mobilisation and the restart of physical construction are expected to begin by June-July 2026.

The project had stalled at just 6percent  progress in December 2022 when the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) froze its concessionary loan following Sri Lanka’s sovereign debt default. 

JICA has officially agreed to resume funding, inflicting new life into the project after the completion of Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring,

The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation has concluded its technical evaluation of the prospective Japanese contractors bidding for the new Package A1 contract (meant to complete the main terminal building, piers 2 and 3, and elevated roadways). The evaluation has been sent to JICA for final concurrence.

The government expects JICA’s final green light to open the financial price bids as soon as possible. 

Construction mobilisation will be officially launched somewhere between June or July 2026.

Following the awarding of the contract to the successful bidder, the period for construction becomes legally binding at thirty months, and thus, Terminal 2 would officially become operational by late 2028 or early 2029.

However, owing to the dramatic rise in market and construction materials prices since the signing of the initial agreement, the initial JICA loan has now become insufficient.

The government is actively negotiating with JICA and the Japanese government to secure an estimated US$450 million to $564 million in extra gap financing to cover the inflation adjusted costs.

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Northern Japan; No Tsunami Threat Reported

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Powerful Earthquake Strikes Northern Japan; No Tsunami Threat Reported

June 25, LNW (Colombo): A powerful earthquake struck off the northern coast of Japan on Thursday morning during rush hour, shaking communities across the country’s northeastern region. However, Japan’s Meteorological Agency confirmed that there was no danger of a tsunami, and no serious injuries were immediately reported.

The tremor was felt in dozens of towns and cities across northeastern Japan and was even mildly experienced in the capital, Tokyo. The earthquake occurred in a region that has seen repeated seismic activity in recent months, raising concerns among residents accustomed to frequent tremors.

The area was also the site of a strong earthquake in December that prompted authorities to issue a weeklong mega-quake caution advisory. Thursday’s quake has once again highlighted the region’s vulnerability to seismic events.

In the town of Hashikami, a school principal described the frightening moment when the earthquake struck while she was driving to work. She said her car swayed from side to side as the ground shook beneath her.

Although children who had already arrived at school were unharmed, some were left visibly distressed by the sudden tremor and were seen crying in fear.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation and have urged residents to remain alert for possible aftershocks. Despite the strong shaking, no major damage or casualties have been reported so far.

UPDATE: Death Toll Rises After Devastating Venezuela Earthquakes

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UPDATE: Death Toll Rises After Devastating Venezuela Earthquakes

June 25, LNW (Colombo): Two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck Venezuela within moments of each other, causing widespread destruction and panic.

Dozens of buildings collapsed, leaving at least 164 people dead and more than 971 injured, according to authorities. Rescue teams are racing against time to search through the rubble for survivors.

Getty Images Rescue workers and police stand on the roof of a collapsed building amid rubble after an earthquake.The hardest-hit areas reported severe structural damage, with many residents forced to flee their homes as aftershocks continued to shake the region.

Officials warn that the death toll could rise as emergency crews continue rescue operations across affected communities.

Getty Images People run into a street away from buildings following an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela on 24 June.

A Masterclass in Broadcasting; A Tribute to James O’Brien

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A Masterclass in Broadcasting; A Tribute to James O’Brien

By: Roger Srivasan

June 25, LNW (Colombo):  There are occasions in broadcasting when journalism transcends the routine and becomes a public service of the highest order. Such moments remind us that the interviewer is not merely a facilitator of conversation but a custodian of accountability. James O’Brien’s forensic interrogation of Nigel Farage over the controversial £5 million gift was one such occasion.

With composure, intellectual discipline, and remarkable presence of mind, O’Brien subjected his guest to a relentless yet impeccably courteous cross-examination. Every question was meticulously constructed; every inconsistency was calmly pursued; every attempted diversion was gently but firmly redirected to the central issue. There was no grandstanding, no theatrical bombast—only the quiet confidence of a broadcaster determined that public scrutiny should not yield to evasion.

What unfolded was nothing short of a masterclass in forensic interviewing. O’Brien’s eloquence was a rapier concealed within a velvet glove: polished in expression, courteous in manner, yet devastating in precision. He neither shouted nor sermonised. Instead, he allowed logic, consistency, and evidence to do the heavy lifting.

Farage, ordinarily one of Britain’s most formidable political communicators, appeared increasingly unsettled as the interview progressed. His customary fluency gave way to visible discomfort as each answer invited another carefully aimed question. The more he sought to escape the central issue, the more inescapable it became. By the conclusion, he seemed less the commanding politician than a man struggling to reconcile conflicting explanations under sustained scrutiny.
This was journalism in its purest form—not adversarial for its own sake, but rigorous in pursuit of public accountability. It exemplified the noble principle that those who seek public office must also submit themselves to searching public examination.
James O’Brien deserves considerable admiration for demonstrating that intellect need not raise its voice to prevail. Calm reasoning, disciplined questioning, and unwavering persistence proved more formidable than rhetoric alone.

In an age too often dominated by slogans and spectacle, his performance stood as a salutary reminder that the finest journalism remains rooted in one timeless virtue: the courage to ask the next question.

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