February 17, Colombo (LNW): In a move aimed at highlighting ongoing concerns within the Department of Irrigation, the Assistant Engineers have announced their decision to take trade union action by reporting sick for today (17) and tomorrow (18).
The protest, which has been organised by the engineers’ association, is a direct response to unresolved issues surrounding the department’s promotion system.
According to Niroshan Silva, the President of the Association, the decision to take such action stems from long-standing frustrations with the promotion process, which the engineers believe has been inefficient and unfair.
He emphasised that despite numerous attempts to resolve the matter through dialogue with authorities, the issues have not been adequately addressed, prompting the union to take this step.
The union has expressed hope that this action will prompt immediate attention from relevant authorities, urging them to take decisive steps to improve the promotion procedures and address the grievances of the staff.
February 17, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is poised to witness the presentation of its 2025 Budget today, marking an important milestone as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake delivers his first-ever budget speech since assuming office.
Parliament will convene at 10:30 AM for this momentous occasion, with all eyes on the President as he outlines the fiscal priorities for the coming year.
On February 16, the final draft of the budget was presented to the President for review at the Presidential Secretariat. President Dissanayake and Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana engaged in critical discussions centred on the country’s economic strategy for 2025, with particular emphasis on ensuring fiscal stability and promoting growth across various sectors.
The President’s Media Division (PMD) reported that these consultations are an integral part of the budget’s formulation process.
In a statement on the social media platform ‘X,’ President Dissanayake expressed his commitment to a budget that aims to foster national progress and stability, reinforcing his administration’s focus on sound fiscal management.
This sentiment reflects his vision of guiding the country through a period of recovery and development following the economic challenges of recent years.
As part of the preparatory process, a key meeting took place on February 13 to review the final stages of the budget’s preparation.
This session, chaired by President Dissanayake, was attended by various ministers and senior government officials, including the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mahinda Siriwardana.
Earlier, on January 9, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya introduced the Appropriation Bill, which outlines the allocation of government funds for the 2025 financial year.
The second reading of this bill, which will feature the President’s budget speech, is scheduled to take place today, with the debate continuing through February 18-25.
The debate will span a full seven days, allowing members of Parliament to engage in detailed discussions on the budget’s provisions.
A crucial vote on the second reading of the bill is set for February 25 at 6:00 PM, followed by the Committee Stage Debate, which will be spread over 19 days, including four Saturdays, from February 27 to March 21.
The third reading and final vote on the bill will take place on March 21 at 6:00 PM.
Throughout the debate period, Parliament will allocate time from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM for five questions to be answered orally, with the main debate running from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day.
Additionally, motions for adjournment will be scheduled from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM, except on days when votes are held, such as February 25 and March 21.
The Cabinet’s spokesperson, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, highlighted in a press briefing last November that the government intends to present the 2025 Budget with a clear focus on strengthening public trust and setting the stage for long-term national development.
This focus will be aligned with the priorities of various ministries, ensuring that the budget reflects the country’s strategic goals while adhering to limits set by the Public Finance Management Act of 2024 and the overarching Government Policy Statement.
February 17, Colombo (LNW): A few showers may occur in Uva province and in Batticaloa, Ampara and Hambantota districts, with showers or thundershowers being expected to occur at a few places in Galle, Matara, Kalutara and Rathnapura districts in the evening or night, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (17).
Mainly dry weather will prevail over other areas of the island.
A cold weather can be expected in the Northern, North-central provinces and Trincomalee district during the early morning.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Badulla district during the morning.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Batticaloa to Galle via Pottuvil and Hambantota. Mainly fair weather will prevail over other sea areas around the island.
Winds:
Winds will be north-easterly and speed will be (20-30) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to (40-45) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Mannar via Puttalam and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coasts extending fromColombo to Mannar via Puttalam and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be fairly rough at times.
February 16, Colombo (LNW): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has reaffirmed its dedication to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery with a comprehensive $900 million investment pipeline for 2025.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to stabilize the country’s economy, enhance key sectors, and align with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-backed reform framework. Beyond financial support, ADB aims to drive policy reforms, institutional strengthening, and knowledge-sharing to foster sustainable growth.
During a briefing on ADB’s 2024 portfolio performance and future plans, ADB Country Director Takafumi Kadono underscored the bank’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s development agenda. He emphasized that ADB’s involvement extends beyond financing to include policy advisory services and capacity-building efforts.
ADB Country Operations Head Cholpon Mambetova elaborated on the strategic focus for 2025, highlighting the $900 million indicative investment earmarked for key sectors such as macroeconomic stability, energy, agriculture, finance, tourism, and skills development. These initiatives will be executed through various funding modalities, including policy-based loans, results-based lending, investment projects, and technical assistance programs.
As of January 1, 2025, ADB’s active sovereign lending portfolio stands at $4 billion, encompassing 27 projects with 36 loans and four grants. These initiatives target critical areas such as energy, transportation, human development, governance, financial sector stability, and urban development.
In 2024, ADB approved $808 million in funding for projects aimed at strengthening the power sector, supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), enhancing water supply and sanitation, and ensuring fiscal sustainability. Recognizing Sri Lanka’s constrained fiscal space, ADB is prioritizing the mobilization of private sector investments, with Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) identified as a key strategy for infrastructure development and service delivery.
Kadono highlighted the significance of the Port Access Elevated Highway project, funded by ADB, which is set to open in the second half of 2025. He also noted that while Sri Lanka’s economic growth exceeded expectations in 2024, driven by the construction and services sectors, the country’s 2025 growth outlook remains cautiously optimistic. Tourism and financial services are expected to be primary drivers of economic expansion.
In addition to direct project financing, ADB is leveraging blended finance mechanisms and development partnerships to secure additional resources. Kadono reiterated that ADB’s support is not just about lending but about ensuring structural and policy reforms that will create a resilient and inclusive economy.
ADB has been a key development partner to Sri Lanka for decades, providing cumulative assistance exceeding $12.6 billion since 1966. With the country still facing limited access to global financial markets due to ongoing debt restructuring, ADB’s role has become even more crucial. The bank remains a vital funding source, particularly as bilateral financial flows remain uncertain and investor confidence gradually recovers.
Kadono further stressed the importance of revenue mobilization and public sector reforms, with ADB’s assistance tied to concrete fiscal and governance milestones. He highlighted the restructuring of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) as a priority, particularly in sectors plagued by inefficiencies and financial losses. By addressing these challenges, ADB aims to support Sri Lanka in building a more stable and self-sufficient economy.
February 16, Colombo (LNW): All generators at the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai, which had been non-operational following the recent island-wide power outage, have now been fully restored and reconnected to the national grid.
According to a spokesperson of the power plant, two generators have already been connected to the national grid, while the third generator can also be connected if necessary.
Following the island-wide power outage on February 9, the Norochcholai Power Plant’s protocol system was activated, causing all three generators to shut down. This had resulted in a loss of 900 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.
In response, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) imposed island-wide power cuts, lasting one-and-a-half-hours on February 10 and 11, and one-hour on February 12.
However, by last morning (14), the third generator of the Norochcholai Power Plant was successfully reconnected to the system.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Energy announced yesterday (14) that daily power cuts would be discontinued.
With the first generator, which had remained idle, also connected to the national grid later in the afternoon, the Norochcholai Power Plant has now contributed 600 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.
A unit of Sri Lanka’s Norochcholai Power Plant has been reconnected to the national grid on Friday morning, making it unnecessary to continue with power cuts, the country’s power utility said.
“One unit of the Norochcholai Power Plant was successfully reconnected to the National Grid this morning,” Ceylon Electricity Board Media Spokesman Dhammike Wimalaratne said.“As a result, demand management measures will no longer be necessary starting today.”
The CEB imposed 90 minute power cuts on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday during the evening peak on a rolling basis to manage demand, after three coal plants were put out of action after a cascading power failure on Sunday.
Sri Lanka had 90 min power cuts on Feb 10 and 11 after coal plant outage The power failure came from the inability of the grid to recover from shocks due to a large volume of rooftop solar power, the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union said.
February 16, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs has announced that Sri Lanka is preparing to implement an electronic passport (e-Passport) system. Deputy Minister of Public Security, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala, confirmed that all legal barriers have been removed following the lifting of a court injunction. With agreements signed with relevant companies, the issuance of e-Passports is expected to commence within the next eight months.
Currently, passports are being issued through traditional methods. However, to meet anticipated demand, the government is making arrangements to import one million new passports. Furthermore, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, disclosed plans to recruit 186 Immigration and Emigration officers to facilitate the proposed 24-hour passport issuance service.
To expedite recruitment, a request has been submitted to the Department of Examinations to schedule a relevant examination for graduate applicants. Once a date is confirmed, an official Gazette notification will be issued. Additionally, a list has been forwarded to the Public Service Commission for the temporary recruitment of 14 Assistant Controllers to support the Department of Immigration and Emigration in launching the rapid passport issuance service.
The long-anticipated e-Passport initiative, featuring biometric chips compliant with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, is expected to be introduced by the end of the year.
Sources from the Department of Immigration and Emigration confirmed that the project, which had been stalled for nearly nine years, has now resumed.
The bidding process for procuring five million e-Passports recently concluded, including necessary software updates required for system implementation.
A senior department official noted that the selected supplier would need several months to finalize the system, with the goal of rolling out the e-Passport project by the last quarter of the year.
The e-Passport will feature a microchip embedded into the existing passport structure, containing biometric data such as fingerprints and a standardized photograph.
The previous government had halted the project due to high costs and concerns raised by suppliers regarding eligibility criteria and additional security features.
Consequently, the prior Expression of Interest (EOI) was withdrawn in August last year, leading to a fresh tender announcement in November 2023.
A senior Ministry of Public Security official stated that the country needs to issue over 700,000 e-Passports annually, with the project expected to cost approximately USD 15 million.
The revised e-Passport tender issued in November introduced new specifications.
Unlike the earlier approach, the latest tender only requires suppliers to provide passports with embedded chips, both with and without a polycarbonate biodata page.
Notably, the chip placement follows a decades-old design, where it is embedded in the passport cover rather than using the latest technological advancements.
In parallel, the government is enhancing security and operational efficiency at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) through the integration of advanced biometric technology.
This upgrade will facilitate the seamless processing of e-Passports for local travelers, aligning Sri Lanka with global security and travel efficiency standards.
February 16, Colombo (LNW): Organic agriculture has gained significant momentum in recent years as consumers and stakeholders increasingly recognize its environmental, health, and economic benefits.
As global demand for organic products continues to rise, Sri Lanka is well-positioned to expand its organic farming sector.
To ensure a robust and credible organic agriculture value chain, it is crucial to enhance awareness and education on organic standards, market opportunities, and certification processes.
In alignment with this vision, the National Organic Control Unit (NOCU), the official regulatory body for organic agriculture in Sri Lanka under the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), has launched an ambitious nationwide initiative to promote organic farming practices.
This large-scale awareness program aims to educate key stakeholders, including farmers, exporters, and processors, about the principles and benefits of organic agriculture, fostering a trustworthy and sustainable industry.
As part of this national initiative, the first awareness program of 2025 was successfully conducted in Jaffna on January 21 at J Hotels.
The event attracted an enthusiastic audience of around 100 participants, representing various sectors of the agricultural industry.
The interactive sessions provided valuable insights into organic farming methods, processing techniques, market potential, standards, and international certification procedures, highlighting NOCU’s crucial role in building a credible organic agricultural framework.
The program was jointly organized by NOCU and the EDB Northern Province Office, featuring expert speakers who shared their knowledge with attendees.
NOCU has planned a series of four comprehensive awareness programs across the country in 2025, designed to educate farmers, exporters, processors, and government officials on organic farming principles, processing techniques, market trends, Sri Lankan organic standards, and international certification requirements.
These sessions aim to strengthen the country’s organic agriculture sector and ensure adherence to globally recognized best practices.
As the governing body responsible for maintaining the credibility of organic agricultural products in Sri Lanka, NOCU plays a vital role in regulating and verifying organic goods sold locally, imported, and exported.
With the growing consumer demand for reliable organic products, both domestically and internationally, fostering a well-informed agricultural community is essential to uphold the integrity of organic food production.
Since its establishment in 2014, NOCU has been instrumental in promoting Sri Lanka’s organic agriculture sector. By implementing targeted awareness initiatives, the organization continues to support the growth of the industry, ensuring that Sri Lankan organic products meet high standards and gain broader recognition in international markets.
February 16, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange earnings from tourism experienced a significant boost in January, reaching $362.1 million, marking a robust 34.5 per cent increase compared to the same month in the previous year.
According to the Central Bank, the island’s tourism sector showed strong signs of recovery, with January 2024 earnings up from $269.3 million in January 2023.
This positive trend has continued through the first few weeks of 2024, with total tourism revenue for the year already reflecting a remarkable $3.17 billion.
This represents a 53.2 per cent increase compared to the $2.07 billion recorded in 2023.
The upward momentum in foreign exchange earnings underscores the revival of the tourism sector, which is a critical pillar of Sri Lanka’s economy.
Tourist arrivals also saw a significant jump in the early part of this year. As of February 13, 2024, Sri Lanka welcomed 367,804 international visitors, an increase of 19.9 per cent compared to the same period last year.
The surge in arrivals mirrors the growth seen in 2024, with the country hosting 2.05 million foreign visitors last year, up 38.1 per cent from 2023.
However, the country missed its ambitious target of 2.3 million tourist arrivals and the $5 billion revenue mark set for 2024.
Sri Lanka is currently experiencing its peak tourism season, which typically runs until early March. Historically, tourism has accounted for nearly 5 per cent of the national economy, with 2018 marking its peak performance.
The sector, however, faced significant setbacks due to the tragic Easter Sunday bombings in 2019, followed by the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic crisis that followed.
The revenue figures are based on data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, which regularly conducts surveys to estimate earnings from the sector.
As tourism earnings continue to recover, they are also contributing to the wider economic recovery, helping to stimulate spending within the country.
February 16, Colombo (LNW): In a significant move aimed at improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s electricity generation, the government has announced plans to establish a dedicated laboratory for testing the quality standards of coal used in thermal power plants.
The facility will be housed within the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), marking a crucial step towards self-sufficiency in coal quality testing for the nation’s power sector.
The decision was made following a series of productive discussions between Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena, Minister of Science and Technology, and Eng. Kumara Jayakody, Minister of Energy.
The establishment of the laboratory comes at a time when coal, as an essential imported resource, plays a pivotal role in the country’s thermal power generation.
At present, Sri Lanka does not have a dedicated domestic laboratory to carry out tests on the quality of the imported coal, and such assessments are instead conducted in overseas laboratories.
This not only incurs additional costs but also leads to delays in obtaining critical data necessary for the efficient operation of power plants.
The new laboratory will serve as a key facility in ensuring that the coal imported for electricity generation meets the required standards for efficiency and safety.
By conducting these essential quality checks locally, the country is set to reduce its reliance on foreign laboratories, ultimately lowering costs and improving the turnaround time for test results.
The laboratory is expected to be operational in the near future and will play a vital role in supporting Sri Lanka’s energy sector, ensuring that the coal used in power plants is of the highest quality and suitable for efficient energy production.
February 16, Colombo (LNW): The final draft of Sri Lanka’s 2025 Budget has been formally submitted for presidential review at the Presidential Secretariat today (16).
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, accompanied by Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana, held crucial discussions regarding the fiscal priorities and strategic objectives for the upcoming year.
These talks centred around ensuring that the budget aligns with the government’s broader vision for economic progress and stability in the nation.
According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the discussions aimed to fine-tune the key areas of focus for the budget, with particular attention being paid to how the fiscal allocations would impact critical sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and economic development.
President Dissanayake later took to the social media platform ‘X’ to express his commitment to delivering a budget that would foster national progress and long-term stability.
