Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka will probably be setting the title of becoming the country with the most expensive electricity in South Asia, were the proposed electricity tariff hike to be implemented, warned renowned energy expert Dr. Thilak Siyambalapitiya.
He noted that it is alarming that Sri Lanka already ranks within the top three nations in the region for high electricity rates.
Siyambalapitiya further underscored the pressing need to urgently devise a new strategy to slash electricity prices, warning that otherwise Sri Lanka will be recognised as the country with the highest tariffs in the South Asian region.
Colombo (LNW): Niluka Karunaratne, Sri Lanka’s top badminton player, announced his retirement from international competitive badminton for Sri Lanka.
The announcement was made on Oct. 01 at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarter in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Karunaratne represented Sri Lanka in the Olympics in 2012, 2016, and 2020, and is currently ranked as the island’s number one badminton player and holds a record of 21 international medals, including 9 golds.
The player has the unique achievement of winning gold medals on five different countries.
In June 2013, Karunaratne attained a career-best singles ranking of 34, the highest ever by a Sri Lankan badminton player. He clinched the national badminton champion title a record 17 times.
His family, including his father Louie Karunaratne and brothers Dinuka and Diluka, are professional badminton players. Another brother, Chamika Karunaratne, plays cricket for the Sri Lanka national team.
Colombo (LNW): The US Embassy in Sri Lanka has issued a significant notice regarding the Diversity Visa (DV) programme for 2025.
There will be no charges to participate in the DV programme, but individuals should be wary of anyone or any service demanding payment, for such assertions about increasing the odds of selection are deceptive, the Embassy wrote on X.
Every valid application for the DV programme has an identical chance of being selected and applicants should only submit the entry, it added.
The application period is set from 12:00 p.m. EDT on October 4 to 12:00 p.m. EST on November 7.
Thinking about registering for #DV2025? Beware of those who offer to help you for money. There is NO fee to enter. Any individuals or services that claim they can increase your chances of being selected are being dishonest. DV selection is performed completely randomly from the… pic.twitter.com/omytpjkcha
Central Bank “burns” a massive 19% of its usable Forex Reserves of USD 2,465 mn as at end-July’23 by selling USD 467 mn to the Forex market to “defend” the LKR during August’23: IMF warns “Reserve accumulation has slowed in recent months”: analysts expect the CB’s LKR defence to be stopped soon, leading to a significant depreciation of the LKR in the coming months.
Chinese Ambassador in SL Qi Zhenhong says China will continue to firmly support Sri Lanka in pursuing a development path that suits its own national conditions while getting rid of the poverty & non-development trap, and safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity & national dignity.
National Cancer Control Programme Director Dr Ishani Fernando says 26% of cancer patients detected in SL are those with breast cancers: notes that 5,329 new patients with breast cancer were detected in 2020 out of 37,648 new cancer patients: also says 15,599 patients had died of cancer in 2019.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe orders a probe into the resignation of Mullaitivu District Judge and Magistrate T Saravanarajah, who heard the controversial Kurundimale Temple case: the Judge has cited “receiving death threats” as the reason for his resignation.
Electricity Users’ Assn Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika claims factories would collapse with the increase in electricity tariffs: says the EUA rejects the proposal to increase the electricity tariffs: warns the country is running to the tune of the IMF.
Lady Ridgeway Hospital Director Dr G Wijesuriya says SL has not reported any cases of Nipah virus so far: emphasizes that people should not panic as a result of false reports circulating in the social media.
Sri Lanka Medical Assn representative Professor Samath Dharmaratne says lives of 400 children were lost in 2022 due to road accidents: laments if appropriate measures are not put in place, many more innocent lives will be lost in the future in a similar manner.
Govt to introduce a new system of issuing vehicle licences called “eRL2.0” in 5 provinces, excluding the Western Province, from 3 October onwards: the new system to be an important step in the “digitalisation” of SL.
Sources say there is a rise in the number of videos featuring Sri Lankan couples in leading porn websites, over the past couple of years: also express fears that most of the content has been filmed and uploaded or sold to porn websites, without the consent of both or one of the partners.
Govt to unveil a new “Standard Operating Procedure” for visits by foreign ships or aircraft, including military assets, as a part of its effort to address India’s concerns over port calls by Chinese vessels: SOP to include guidelines and details about the type of vessels to be allowed into Sri Lanka’s ports and territorial waters, and the duration of docking.
Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, and fairly heavy showers above 50mm can be expected at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara and Puttalam districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (01).
Several spells of showers will occur in Anuradhapura district, the statement added.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places over elsewhere during the evening or night, and fairly strong winds about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times in Northern, North-central, and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.
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 times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo, Galle and Matara.
Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly and speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to (50-60) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai and Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil may be rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Colombo (LNW): The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has raised concerns over the sudden resignation of Mullaitivu District Judge, T. Saravanarajah, and urged the government to probe the matter immediately.
In a statement, the BASL expressed suspicion that his decision to resign might have been influenced by external threats.
“The BASL is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of the judiciary. We strongly believe in maintaining an environment where judges can discharge their duties without fear or intimidation,” the Association said.
Raising concerns on the gravity of the situation, the BASL urged the government to undertake an impartial and comprehensive inquiry into the alleged threats against Judge Saravanarajah.
Such threats, if validated, can compromise the judiciary’s independence and erode public confidence in the justice system, the BASL went on, adding that the sudden exit of Mr. Saravanarajah might cast doubts over the security of Sri Lanka’s judicial personnel.
“BASL vehemently condemns and discourages any type of threats and violence to members of the judiciary,” it added, reiterating that the protection of the judiciary is pivotal for upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the rights of the people.
Colombo (LNW): The civil defence officer who was arrested over the accidental shooting of a female elephant named ‘Sita’ has been granted bail today (30).
The officer from the Civil Defence Department working with the Mapakada Wewa Wildlife Regional Office was arrested for shooting ‘Sita’, a female elephant that had been part of the annual Randoli Perahera at Mahiyanganaya Rajamaha Viharaya.
The incident occurred at about 3:30 am this morning when the officer mistakenly identified ‘Sita’ as a wild elephant after she crossed the river.
Despite being informed by bystanders that ‘Sita’ was not a wild elephant, the officer proceeded with the shooting.
After being shot, 48-year old ‘Sita’ was tethered to a tree near the Mahaweli River, and received immediate medical attention from the Wildlife Conservation Department’s veterinary surgeons post-injury.
The officer in question had used rubber bullets aiming to deter wild elephants in the area, unintentionally injuring ‘Sita’, said Director General of the Wildlife Conservation Department M.G.C. Sooriyabandara.
Colombo (LNW): A number of lawyers’ associations, including the Lawyers’ Collective and the Young Lawyers Association raised deep concerns about the recent resignation of T. Saravanarajah, former Magistrate of Mullaitivu based on alleged threats to his life, calling for an impartial investigation into the event.
In a statement, the Lawyers’ Collective pointed out that it is imperative, given the serious implications it has for matters pertaining to the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law, that the matter be fully investigated with measures to assure independence and impartiality.
In a statement, the Young Lawyers’ Association demanded that the Judicial Service Commission conducts an impartial inquiry into the allegations against the government and the Attorney General, which has been circulated in the media, whilst calling for an impartial investigation into the resignation of Mr. Saravanarajah.
Colombo (LNW): The Department of Irrigation today (30) extended the ‘Amber’ flood warning issued for the low-lying areas of Nilwala River, Gin Ganga and Kuda Ganga, in the backdrop where rainfall continues.
Accordingly, the flood warnings which were initially issued two days ago (28) for the following areas have been extended for another 24 hours effective until tomorrow (01).
• Kotapola, Pitabeddara, Akuressa, Pasgoda, Athuraliya, Malimbada, Thihagoda, Matara and Devinuwara Divisional Secretariat Divisions in Nilwala River basin
• Palinda Nuwara and Bulathsinhala Divisional Secretariat Divisions in Kuda Ganga sub-basin of Kalu River
• Welivitiya Divithura, Baddegama, Niyagama, Neluwa, Tawalama, Nagoda, Elpitiya and Bope Poddala Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Gin Ganga basin
Meanwhile, ‘Amber’ flood alert has been issued at 10.00 a.m. today for the low-lying areas of Attanagalu Oya in Gampaha, Minuwangoda, Ja-Ela, Katana and Wattala.
The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has also extended the landslide warnings issued for parts of Galle, Hambantota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Matale, Matara and Ratnapura districts.
‘Amber’ (Level 2) warnings issued to the following areas will be in effect until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow (01):
• Galle District – Neluwa Divisional Secretariat Division • Kalutara District – Ingiriya Divisional Secretariat Division • Kandy District – Pasbage Divisional Secretariat Division • Matara District – Pitabeddara and Kotapola Divisional Secretariat Divisions • Ratnapura District – Kalawana, Ayagama, Eheliyagoda, Ratnapura, Kuruwita, Pelmadulla, Nivithigala, Kiriella and Elapatha Divisional Secretariat Divisions
“Yellow” (Level 1) warnings issued to the following areas were extended until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow (01):
•Galle District – Elpitiya Divisional Secretariat Division • Hambantota District – Walasmulla Divisional Secretariat Division • Kalutara District – Mathugama, Walallawita, Bulathsinhala and Agalawatta Divisional Secretariat Divisions • Kegalle District – Yatiyanthota, Ruwanwella, Deraniyagala, Dehiowita and Kegalle Divisional Secretariat Divisions • Matale District – Yatawatta Divisional Secretariat Division • Matara District – Mulatiyana and Athuraliya Divisional Secretariat Divisions • Ratnapura District – Kolonna and Imbulpe Divisional Secretariat Divisions
Colombo (LNW): US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung urged Sri Lankan authorities to prioritise the rights of the country’s citizens when considering the recently introduced Online Safety Bill and the Anti-Terrorism Bill.
Taking a statement to X (previously known as Twitter), Chung emphasised the importance of incorporating feedback from technology professionals, civic organisations, and a range of experts while deliberating the Online Safety Bill.
“As Sri Lanka deliberates the Online Safety Bill, it’s crucial to include input from the tech sector, civil society, and diverse experts. Preserving freedom of expression is essential—it’s a fundamental right that is non-negotiable and must be safeguarded,” she wrote.
The US Envoy went on: “We also urge the Sri Lankan government to honour its pledge to revise its anti-terrorism legislation in alignment with international standards & best practices in other democracies. Sri Lankans deserve both security & fundamental freedoms. Striking the right balance through effective legislation will ensure both, enabling lawful freedom of assembly & empowering law enforcement to tackle threats effectively.”
(1/2) As Sri Lanka deliberates the Online Safety Bill, it's crucial to include input from the tech sector, civil society, and diverse experts. Preserving freedom of expression is essential—it's a fundamental right that is non-negotiable and must be safeguarded.
