Showers will occur at times in Uva province and in Ampara, Batticaloa, Matale, Nuwara-Eliya and Polonnaruwa districts. Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places in these areas.

Several spells of showers will occur in Northern province and in Kandy, Anuradhapura and Trincomalee districts.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Sabaragamuwa province and in Galle, Matara and Kaluthara districts after 2.00 p.m.

Fairly strong winds of about 40 kmph can be expected at times over Eastern slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota, Monaragala and Trincomalee districts.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the early hours of the morning.

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

By Nalinda Indatissa PC

Bribery is no longer confined to dealings with public officials. Under Sri Lanka’s new anti-corruption legal regime, private sector bribery has been expressly introduced and criminalised. Employees, managers, and directors in private companies are now subject to criminal liability for corrupt conduct carried out in the course of business. This reform aligns Sri Lanka with international anti-corruption standards and recognises that corruption within private enterprises distorts markets, undermines fair competition, and weakens investor confidence.

The law prohibits the giving of a bribe, the asking for or solicitation of a bribe, and the acceptance of a bribe. These prohibitions apply across all levels of a company and in all work-related activities. A bribe is not limited to money. It includes anything of value given, offered, demanded, or received to improperly influence a business decision. This may take the form of gifts, travel, employment opportunities, promotions, favours, undisclosed commissions, or sexual favours. Sexual favours demanded or offered in exchange for workplace benefits constitute bribery under the law. Solicitation itself is an offence; no payment is required for criminal liability to arise. A mere request, hint, or demand is sufficient.

Liability is not confined to senior decision-makers. Junior staff, senior managers, and directors may all be held responsible. Corporate position, influence, or seniority does not provide protection under the new regime. The law applies whenever conduct is business-related, financial, or commercial in nature, including procurement, recruitment, promotions, payments, approvals, contract negotiations, and vendor selection within the private sector.

Every employee has a duty to act honestly, comply with company rules, and exercise authority fairly. Using one’s position for personal benefit constitutes a breach of duty even where no direct financial gain is received. Many investigations arise not from large-scale raids but from whistle-blower complaints, vendor or employee reports, audit findings, and anonymous information. Once an investigation begins, authorities may examine financial records such as cash books, expense vouchers, and consultancy or miscellaneous expenses, as well as digital and communication evidence including call records, SMS messages, WhatsApp communications, and emails. Deleting messages does not erase wrongdoing. Digital evidence may be recovered through forensic tools, backups, screenshots, recipient devices, or testimony, and call records are often retained by service providers. Digital trails now play a decisive role in modern bribery prosecutions.

Investigators closely examine the nature of an employee’s role, the authority entrusted to that person, and whether that authority was misused. Clear job descriptions and defined approval limits protect honest employees and help identify misconduct. From a prevention perspective, companies that rely on manual, opaque approval processes create fertile ground for corruption. In contrast, digitised approval systems with real-time tracking significantly reduce bribery risk. Real-time tracking records who approved what, when it was approved, and where delays occur. It makes decision-making transparent, limits informal influence, reduces opportunities for secret dealings, and curtails the abuse of discretion. When approvals can be monitored live, unexplained delays or deviations become immediately visible, discouraging both solicitation and payment of bribes.

Strong internal policies further reinforce integrity. Anti-bribery policies, procurement guidelines, and codes of conduct must be actively implemented and enforced. Equally important is whistle-blower protection. Employees must feel safe to report wrongdoing without fear of retaliation. Companies that provide confidential reporting mechanisms and protect whistle-blowers foster a culture of accountability rather than silence.

Minimising corruption in the private sector has direct implications for Foreign Direct Investment. Foreign investors look for transparency, predictability, and rule-based decision-making. Private sector corruption increases hidden costs, legal exposure, and reputational risk. As a result, investors either demand higher returns to offset risk or avoid the jurisdiction altogether. Strong enforcement against private sector bribery, combined with transparent corporate governance systems such as real-time digital approvals, enhances investor confidence, lowers transaction costs, and promotes sustainable long-term investment. Anti-corruption compliance is therefore not merely a legal obligation; it is an economic strategy.

Bribery is not only about money. Deleting messages does not erase wrongdoing. Transparency and honesty remain the strongest protection. An ethical workplace safeguards personal dignity, professional careers, and individual freedom, while also protecting the company and strengthening the national economy.

Nalinda Indatissa, PC

By Artists 

Some Sri Lankans can be remarkably unforgiving, particularly when expectations are not met. The recent postponement of the concert by American superstar Ne-Yo is a case in point. What should have been treated as an unfortunate but manageable setback was quickly branded a “scam” on social media, triggering a wave of public outrage that did little to reflect facts or context.

In the crossfire were respected global brands such as Mastercard, Red Bull, and Cinnamon Hotels. These organisations did not merely lend their logos; they put their reputations on the line to help position Sri Lanka as a credible international entertainment destination. That kind of confidence-building support does not come without cost or risk, particularly in a market where large-scale entertainment events are still developing. Instead of appreciation, they were met with criticism and suspicion.

Ironically, many of the loudest voices online were from those who had invested neither capital nor credibility in the event. The organisers — Brown Boy, together with Ne-Yo himself, Amith Boteju, and Champaka — have stated that once Ne-Yo requested a postponement, they left Sri Lanka after receiving threats and fearing possible detention. Such circumstances, they argue, would only have complicated efforts to resolve the matter and reschedule the event. They also maintain that Ne-Yo was paid in accordance with the contractual terms.

It is important to view this episode through a wider regional lens. In destinations such as Dubai or Singapore, government agencies actively step in to support major international events, often coordinating logistics, security, and public communication. The objective is clear: protect the country’s reputation and reassure international partners. In Sri Lanka, such institutional support is limited or absent, leaving private sponsors and promoters exposed when things do not go exactly to plan.

Against this backdrop, the involvement of Cinnamon Hotels and Mastercard should not be discouraged or discounted. On the contrary, they deserve recognition for taking a calculated risk to promote Sri Lanka as a serious entertainment and events destination. If such efforts are publicly punished, future sponsors will think twice before associating themselves with similar initiatives.

There has also been a troubling spread of misinformation. Ne-Yo, on the 27/28 December has publicly apologised for the postponement and confirmed that work is underway to finalise new dates. Ne-Yo himself has participated in virtual press conferences and released videos referring to his planned visit to Sri Lanka. To suggest that he was unaware of the Sri Lankan event is therefore both inaccurate and unfair.

Some fans who spoke to LNW have raised a constructive point: the Tourism Ministry, which has benefited substantially from tourism-related tax revenues running into Billions, could consider stepping in to support or temporarily take over large international events in times of difficulty. Such an approach would send a strong signal to global promoters that Sri Lanka is a reliable partner and a destination that understands the realities of live entertainment.

What is most concerning, however, is the prevailing mindset that allows no room for delay, adjustment, or failure. In Sri Lanka, setbacks are too quickly framed as scams, and reputations are damaged long before facts are established. This culture discourages innovation, deters investment, and makes the country appear hostile to risk-taking.

If Sri Lanka truly aspires to be a global tourism and entertainment hub, it must learn to respond to challenges with maturity, balance, and institutional support — not public condemnation. Otherwise, we risk making ourselves look far smaller on the global stage than we actually are.

December 28 th NE-YO wrote;

“To my lovely Sri Lanka Fanbase …as much as l was looking forward to rocking out with you all, due to unforeseen circumstances, we’re gonna have to do this another time.

My deepest apologies. Know that I will see you soon. Can’t wait.” NE-YO

Johnston Anthony Fernando, a renowned Sri Lankan business leader with nearly two decades of service as a Director of the International Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka and extensive senior leadership experience at the regional level of the ICC, was recently elected Chairman of ICC Sri Lanka on the 11th.

An alumnus of St. Joseph’s College Colombo, he is a co-owner and director of several family-owned companies operating across engineering, construction, supply, packaging, printing, and property development sectors.

He currently serves as a Non-Executive Independent Director at People’s Insurance PLC and as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Printing Media Academy.

Previously, he has held board positions at People’s Leasing & Finance PLC, People’s Merchant Finance PLC, and Alliance Leasing & Finance PLC in Bangladesh. He is also a former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Association of Printers.

In addition, Johnston Anthony serves as an advisor and governing council member of institutions including BCI Campus, Colombo Catholic Press, and the National Hospital of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s Chief Justice, Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, together with a group of Supreme Court judges, recently visited the sacred Sanchi Maha Pooja Bhumi in India, where they paid homage to the relics of the Chief Disciples of the Buddha and worshipped the Sanchi Stupa complex built by Emperor Ashoka, according to the Viharadhipati of Sanchi Chethiyagiri Vihara, Venerable Banagala Vimalatissa Thera.

The Chief Justice and nine Supreme Court judges, who were in Bhopal to participate in an international conference of Supreme Court judges, visited the sacred site and viewed the archaeological monuments there, said resident monk and scholar Venerable Udugama Tapassi Thera.

In addition, a group of Supreme Court judges from Myanmar and several High Court judges from Sri Lanka also visited the Sanchi sacred site on a recent occasion, according to the Chief Incumbent of Sanchi Chethiyagiri Vihara, Chief Sangha Nayaka of Japan, and President of the Sri Lanka Maha Bodhi Society, Venerable Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thera.

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has stepped up enforcement of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations in 2025, signaling a tougher regulatory posture aimed at safeguarding financial stability and restoring international confidence. The latest action imposing Rs. 9.5 million in penalties on seven institutions underscores a broader compliance drive that carries significant economic implications.

 The fines, imposed through the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), targeted banks, non-bank financial institutions, a casino, a jewellery firm, and a mobile payment operator. While the monetary penalties themselves are modest, the message is substantial: regulatory tolerance for weak AML/CFT controls is diminishing.

Sri Lanka’s economy remains in a fragile recovery phase following years of debt distress and external shocks. In this context, strengthening financial integrity has become a strategic priority. The country’s ability to maintain correspondent banking relationships, attract foreign investment, and integrate with global financial markets depends heavily on compliance with international AML standards, including Financial Action Task Force (FATF) benchmarks.

According to CBSL disclosures, several institutions failed to report high-value electronic fund transfers exceeding Rs. 1 million within stipulated timeframes. Others lacked adequate screening mechanisms against United Nations sanctions lists or had not implemented basic internal AML policies. While no direct links to designated individuals were uncovered, regulators emphasized that procedural weaknesses alone pose systemic risks.

From an economic standpoint, enhanced AML enforcement can deliver long-term gains despite short-term compliance costs. Stronger controls reduce illicit financial flows, protect tax revenue, and improve transparency factors that contribute to macroeconomic stability. In 2025, Sri Lanka has relied increasingly on digital payments and non-bank financial services to support consumption and small businesses, making robust oversight even more critical.

The inclusion of sectors such as casinos, jewellery trading, and mobile financial services highlights a shift toward risk-based supervision beyond traditional banking. These sectors are often cash-intensive and vulnerable to misuse, and their regulation plays a key role in protecting the wider financial ecosystem.

Importantly, the penalties collected were credited to the Consolidated Fund, reinforcing the principle that enforcement supports public finance as well as compliance. More broadly, CBSL’s actions send a signal to global lenders and development partners that Sri Lanka is serious about financial governance reforms.

While enforcement alone cannot transform the economy, it creates the trust framework necessary for sustainable growth. In that sense, the CBSL’s AML push in 2025 is not merely regulatory housekeepingit is an economic confidence-building measure with long-term implications.

India’s response to Cyclone Ditwah has underscored how New Delhi’s Neighbourhood First policy now operates not merely as diplomatic rhetoric but as an institutionalised crisis-response framework, extending from the Prime Minister’s Office to ministerial, military, and diplomatic levels. 

The delivery of a special letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, carried personally by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, was a clear political signal that Sri Lanka’s recovery is viewed in India as both a humanitarian priority and a strategic responsibility.

As Sri Lanka now shifts its attention to the next phase, India has assured that India will extend all possible support as a trusted partner and a reliable friend. Prime Minister Modi stated in his letter  

As in the past, we will stand shoulder to shoulder with you in rebuilding lives and ensuring resilience in Sri Lanka. In this context,he added. 

The letter explicitly framed India’s intervention within its First Responder commitment, a doctrine that has steadily evolved since the Indian Ocean tsunami and gained operational maturity through recent regional disasters.

 Continuing the goodwill gesture , India has committed a comprehensive reconstruction assistance package worth $ 450 million to support Sri Lanka’s recovery from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, reaffirming its role as the country’s first responder and closest regional partner, during External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’ recent Sri Lanka visist this week 

Under ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’, India deployed naval vessels, aircraft, and helicopters to transport relief supplies and emergency materials, while specialised teams supported search and rescue, medical response, and restoration of critical communications and connectivity. The speed and scale of this mobilisation reflected a preparedness that few regional actors can match.

Dr. Jaishankar’s visit elevated the assistance from emergency relief to structured rehabilitation planning. By arriving as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy, the External Affairs Minister carried not only humanitarian goodwill but also a mandate to discuss the implementation of a comprehensive assistance package, signalling continuity beyond immediate disaster response. 

This shift from relief to resilience marks a critical distinction between ad hoc aid and strategic partnership.

India’s engagement also highlights an important governance dimension. Sri Lanka’s cyclone response has exposed institutional coordination gaps and fiscal constraints. India’s assistance, therefore, operates as a stabilising external input helping bridge immediate capacity shortfalls while allowing Colombo to focus domestic resources on long-term recovery.

 Unlike multilateral assistance, which often arrives with procedural delays, India’s bilateral support demonstrated operational flexibility and political decisiveness.

At the diplomatic level, the visit reaffirmed trust at a sensitive juncture in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. The Prime Minister’s assurance that India will “stand shoulder to shoulder” in rebuilding efforts carries weight precisely because it echoes India’s past crisis interventions whether during fuel shortages, financial stress, or natural disasters.Ultimately, India’s response to Cyclone Ditwah reinforces a broader regional reality: in times of crisis, geography and proximity matter. By aligning humanitarian action with diplomatic engagement, New Delhi has reinforced its role not only as Sri Lanka’s closest neighbour, but as its most dependable partner in moments of national stress

Sri Lanka’s proposed legislation to regulate cosmetics marks a significant but overdue policy intervention with far-reaching implications for public health, trade, and the wider economy. The draft Cosmetics Regulation Bill, expected to be opened for public consultation in January 2026, reflects growing concern over the unregulated influx of cosmetic products into the country, particularly through informal and illicit channels.

According to National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) Chairperson Dr. Ananda Wijewickrema, the Bill was prepared by a committee appointed by the Director General of Health Services and has already undergone stakeholder consultation. A formal review of submissions is currently underway, with the public expected to gain access to the draft early next year.

The economic relevance of the legislation extends beyond consumer safety. Sri Lanka’s cosmetics market has expanded rapidly, driven by social media marketing, rising imports, and informal cottage-level production. Yet regulatory oversight has lagged behind market growth. This regulatory gap has allowed substandard and potentially harmful products to circulate freely, undermining legitimate businesses and eroding consumer confidence.

At present, the NMRA relies on provisions of the Cosmetics, Devices and Drugs Act of 1980—legislation that predates modern supply chains, e-commerce, and digital marketing. While this framework offers limited enforcement capability, it was never designed to address the scale and complexity of today’s cosmetics trade. As a result, smuggled items arriving in passenger baggage and unregistered products promoted online have flourished.

From an economic standpoint, the absence of modern regulation distorts competition. Registered importers and compliant local manufacturers face higher costs, while informal sellers operate without accountability. A comprehensive cosmetics law could level the playing field, encouraging formalization, improving tax compliance, and supporting small and medium enterprises willing to meet safety standards.

However, concerns remain over implementation. Senior health sector sources have questioned whether the new Bill will regulate both imported cosmetics and locally produced cottage-industry goods. Failure to address domestic production could create loopholes that undermine the legislation’s effectiveness.

Stronger regulation also has trade implications. Aligning Sri Lanka’s cosmetics standards with international norms could improve export potential while strengthening border controls against illicit imports. In a context of foreign exchange pressures and fiscal consolidation, improved regulatory governance can deliver both health and economic dividends.

 Ultimately, the proposed Bill represents more than a regulatory update. It is a test of Sri Lanka’s ability to modernize oversight in fast-growing consumer markets, protect public welfare, and support sustainable economic activity through clear, enforceable rules.

 Sri Lanka’s aviation and tourism sectors received a timely boost with the announcement that Beijing Capital Airlines will launch direct passenger flights between Beijing and Colombo from January 31, 2026. While the development strengthens bilateral connectivity with China, its wider importance lies in how enhanced air services could support Sri Lanka’s fragile economic recovery following recent cyclone-related disruptions.

 The decision follows high-level discussions between Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to China, Majintha Jayesinghe, and Beijing Capital Airlines President Liu Jun, underscoring the role of economic diplomacy in reviving international travel links. For Sri Lanka, rebuilding air connectivity is not simply about tourism numbers—it is about restoring foreign exchange inflows, protecting jobs, and stimulating growth across multiple sectors.

 China remains Sri Lanka’s fourth-largest tourism source market. However, arrivals from China have yet to return to pre-pandemic and pre-crisis levels. Official data shows that Chinese tourist arrivals declined to around 121,671 in the first eleven months of 2025, compared to over 131,000 during the same period last year. This stagnation highlights the need for direct, reliable air links that reduce travel time, cost, and uncertainty for Chinese travellers.

 The cyclone crisis added pressure to an already strained economy by damaging infrastructure, disrupting transport networks, and affecting coastal tourism zones. In this context, increased passenger air services are critical. Direct Beijing–Colombo flights can accelerate the recovery of hotels, travel operators, retail businesses, and ground transport providers, particularly during peak travel seasons.

 Tourism remains one of Sri Lanka’s fastest avenues for foreign currency generation. Even in December 2025, Chinese travellers accounted for 6% of total arrivals in the first half of the month. While India continues to dominate tourist inflows, diversification of source markets is essential to reduce economic vulnerability. Strengthening links with China helps spread risk and stabilize revenue flows.

 Beyond tourism, enhanced air connectivity supports business travel, trade promotion, and cultural exchange. Faster passenger movement encourages investment exploration and deepens people-to-people ties, reinforcing broader bilateral relations.

 In economic terms, every additional long-haul flight carries multiplier effects—from aviation fuel sales to airport services and local employment. For a country navigating post-disaster recovery, such gains are significant. The Beijing–Colombo route represents more than a new flight; it is a strategic economic bridge at a moment when Sri Lanka needs resilient pathways to growth.

A suspect was arrested in the Minuwangoda area after police recovered a foreign-made firearm, a magazine, and 25 rounds of T-56 ammunition in his possession.

The weapon and ammunition were seized during a raid conducted yesterday (27) following a tip-off received by officers of the Western Province North Crime Division.

Police said the suspect is a 43-year-old resident of Heenatiyana, Minuwangoda.

Further investigations into the incident are currently being carried out by the Western Province North Crime Division.