February 13, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has announced that a final decision regarding the continuation of power cuts will be made public later today (13).

According to CEB Chairman Dr Thilak Siyambalapitya, the official statement will be issued at 10:00 a.m. this morning.

Earlier this week, the CEB was forced to implement nationwide power outages on Monday (10) and Tuesday (11) due to a technical fault at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant.

The incident occurred when the plant’s automatic protocol system disconnected all three of its generators, leading to a widespread island-wide blackout on Sunday (9).

In response, the CEB put in place scheduled power cuts lasting for one-and-a-half hours, which affected the entire island between 3:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. each day. The decision was made in an effort to regulate electricity demand and avoid further strain on the grid.

However, no power interruptions were required on Wednesday (12), as the CEB was able to manage the electricity load effectively, particularly given the lower demand associated with the Poya Day holiday.

The available generation capacity was deemed sufficient to meet the day’s needs, and as a result, normal service was restored.

February 13, Colombo (LNW): The Legal Officers’ Association of the Attorney General’s Department has responded to recent claims suggesting inaccuracies in an advisory opinion issued by the Attorney General on January 27, 2025.

The Association, which represents the legal professionals working within the department, has labelled these circulating statements as “factually incorrect and misleading.”

In a detailed statement released yesterday (12), the Legal Officers’ Association, the sole trade union representing lawyers in the Attorney General’s Department, reaffirmed that all internal procedures and established practices were diligently followed in relation to the advisory in question.

They underscored that the advice given was in line with standard protocol and was thoroughly scrutinised by the relevant authorities before being issued.

Expressing unwavering support for the Attorney General, the Association made it clear that they have full confidence in both his decisions and the entire team of officers involved in the decision-making process.

The statement further emphasised the Association’s commitment to defending the integrity of the Attorney General’s office and made it known that they would not hesitate to take a stand against any efforts aimed at removing the Attorney General from his position.

This strong response from the Legal Officers’ Association comes in the wake of increasing public debate and speculation over the contents of the Attorney General’s recent legal opinion, with some critics questioning its validity and implications. However, the Association’s defence highlights a determination to protect the office from unwarranted political or external pressure.

February 13, Colombo (LNW): Mainly fair weather will prevail over most parts of the island, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (13).

A cold weather can be expected over most parts of the island during the early morning. There is a possibility of ground frost at some places in the Nuwara-Eliya district during the early hours of the morning.  

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western province and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.

Marine Weather:

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to deliver a keynote address today at the World Governments Summit 2025, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The World Governments Summit 2025 commenced on February 11 under the theme ‘Shaping Future Governments.’ This prestigious global forum gathers government leaders, international organizations, global policymakers, private sector representatives, and thought leaders.

The objective is to foster international cooperation, explore innovative governance solutions, and inspire the next generation of global leadership.

The President left for the UAE on February 10 following an invitation from UAE President Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. His speech is expected to highlight Sri Lanka’s vision for governance, economic reforms, and international collaboration.

This participation marks a significant step in strengthening Sri Lanka’s global presence and engaging with key international stakeholders.

In a bid to bolster its presence in the Sri Lankan tourism market, Tourism Malaysia has embarked on a strategic Sales Mission to Colombo. T

his initiative aims to deepen collaboration with Sri Lankan travel industry stakeholders, boost visitor numbers, and showcase Malaysia’s diverse travel experiences.

With tourism playing a crucial role in Malaysia’s economy, this campaign underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening ties with Sri Lanka and attracting more Sri Lankan tourists in the coming years.

The mission follows an impressive surge in Sri Lankan tourist arrivals to Malaysia, with 58,015 visitors recorded in 2024.

 This marks a remarkable 122% increase compared to pre-pandemic figures in 2019 when only 26,058 Sri Lankans traveled to Malaysia.

The rise in numbers highlights Malaysia’s growing appeal as a prime travel destination for Sri Lankan tourists.

Enhanced connectivity has played a pivotal role in this growth, with 30 weekly flights from Colombo and a total seat capacity of 4,990, making travel between the two nations more convenient than ever.

Hishamuddin Mustafa, Director of Tourism Malaysia Chennai (South India and Sri Lanka), emphasized the significance of the mission, stating, “Our goal is to reconnect with Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, express gratitude for their unwavering support, and explore new collaborative opportunities.

 The arrival of 45 Malaysian sellers, the largest-ever delegation, demonstrates our dedication to strengthening Malaysia’s position in the Sri Lankan market.”

In anticipation of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026) campaign, Malaysia aims to attract 100,000 Sri Lankan travelers. Mustafa highlighted Malaysia’s diverse appeal, catering to a wide range of travel interests, including Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), destination weddings, and family vacations. “With Visit Malaysia Year 2026 approaching, we are eager to showcase new destinations, cultural attractions, and world-class venues,” he added.

The mission serves as a critical step toward increasing tourism exchanges and reinforcing the long-standing relationship between Malaysia and Sri Lanka. The 45-member delegation is focused on fostering partnerships, sharing industry insights, and enhancing connectivity between the two countries’ tourism sectors.

Sri Lanka has emerged as a key source market for Malaysia, ranking among the top 20 in 2024 and second in South Asia, following India.

 To further boost Sri Lankan arrivals, Malaysia plans to introduce exclusive travel packages and promotions tailored specifically for Sri Lankan travelers under the VMY2026 campaign.

Additionally, Malaysia’s tourism authorities are working to promote lesser-known destinations such as Sabah, Sarawak, and Langkawi, extending beyond the popular attractions in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia offers a rich variety of travel experiences, including community-based tourism, wedding tourism, medical tourism, and film tourism. Incentives are also being introduced for niche markets such as film production tourism.

Officials emphasized Malaysia’s affordability, particularly in medical tourism, positioning the country as a cost-effective and attractive destination.

Malaysia’s historical and cultural ties with Sri Lanka were also highlighted, with references to shared culinary traditions such as ‘dodol.’

Additionally, several Sri Lankan restaurant chains, including ISSO and Ministry of Crab, have expanded operations to Malaysia, further strengthening bilateral cultural connections.

However, Malaysian officials urged Sri Lanka to enhance its global tourism image by moving beyond war-time perceptions.

High Commissioner of Malaysia to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Badli Hisham Adam, expressed Malaysia’s openness to exploring visa-free travel for Sri Lankans.

However, he noted that the Sri Lankan government must initiate an official request to facilitate this process. Malaysia has already implemented visa-free entry for several countries, including China and India, as part of its global tourism promotion strategy.

With Malaysia leading ASEAN in international tourist arrivals, welcoming approximately 38 million visitors last year, the Sales Mission to Sri Lanka is a significant step toward further expanding its tourism footprint in the region. By fostering closer ties with Sri Lanka and enhancing accessibility, Malaysia is poised to become an even more attractive destination for Sri Lankan travelers in the years to come

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Sri Lanka recently engaged in further discussions on key economic issues, focusing on tax policies, revenue management, and public sector efficiency. On Sunday, February 10, IMF Executive Director Dr. Krishnamoorthy Subramanian met with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at her office in Colombo to review these matters.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting emphasized the necessity of tax policy reforms and revenue optimization while also exploring strategies to enhance the effectiveness of the public sector. Additionally, Prime Minister Amarasuriya outlined the government’s long-term development plans, stressing policies aimed at ensuring economic stability and fostering sustainable growth.

The discussions come at a time when the Sri Lankan government is attempting to modify certain conditions agreed upon under the IMF-supported Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program. However, economic experts, including former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. W.A. Wijewardena, warn that these constraints may pose challenges in meeting revenue targets.

Dr. Wijewardena pointed out that the government’s fiscal policy is significantly influenced by two major factors: the loan agreement signed with the IMF by the previous administration and the requirements stipulated under the Economic Transformation Act. These commitments make it difficult for the government to achieve its revenue target of 15.1% of GDP for 2025, which equates to approximately Rs. 5.5 trillion.

To meet this target and secure the next tranche of the IMF’s financial assistance, Dr. Wijewardena emphasized the need for new taxes. He noted that without additional tax measures, the country might fail to meet the required revenue levels, potentially jeopardizing the fourth installment of the IMF’s EFF program and violating the provisions of the Economic Transformation Act.

One contentious issue is the property tax, which had been proposed by the previous government as part of its negotiations with the IMF. The current administration has abandoned this tax, creating a revenue shortfall that must be compensated through alternative taxation measures.

Due to these financial constraints, the government’s ability to allocate funds for public welfare programs remains limited. Dr. Wijewardena stated that budgetary policies must align with both IMF obligations and the fiscal targets set by the Economic Transformation Act, making it challenging to introduce significant relief measures for the public.

 As Sri Lanka continues its economic recovery efforts, balancing IMF commitments with the nation’s financial needs remains a critical challenge for the administration of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The coming months will be crucial in determining how the government navigates these fiscal hurdles while striving for sustainable economic growth.