December 25, Colombo (LNW): A high-level discussion convened under the guidance of Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has explored ways to expand and improve the monitoring of drug quality across the country. The meeting focused on developing more structured and systematic approaches to ensure medicines meet safety and efficacy standards.

Officials present included the Director General of Health Services, the Chairperson of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), representatives from the Ministry of Health, and delegates from the Ministry of Science and Technology. Participants highlighted the need for closer coordination between institutions involved in laboratory testing, increasing the scale of quality assessments, and addressing critical concerns identified in NMRA reports.

Minister Jayatissa noted that relying solely on the NMRA laboratory for drug testing has limitations, underlining the importance of creating a broader, more formal programme to enhance quality control in the longer term. He also suggested that, in the interim, other government facilities could be involved in testing to avoid delays and ensure continuous monitoring.

The Minister further stressed that the programme should prioritise medicines with known issues to prevent interruptions in supply and maintain public confidence in pharmaceutical products.

December 25, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka will observe National Safety Day tomorrow with the main state commemoration taking place at the Peraliya Tsunami Memorial in Galle, scheduled from 8.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.

The event will bring together officials, community representatives and members of the public to reflect on the importance of disaster awareness and preparedness.

As part of the remembrance, a two-minute silence will be observed across the island from 9.25 a.m. to 9.27 a.m., honouring the victims of the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami as well as those who lost their lives in other natural and man-made disasters over the years.

The tsunami of December 2004 remains one of the darkest chapters in the country’s history, claiming more than 35,000 lives, leaving over 5,000 people unaccounted for, and causing widespread destruction to homes, infrastructure and livelihoods, with losses running into billions of rupees.

In recognition of the tragedy and the need to strengthen national resilience, December 26 was formally designated as National Safety Day through a Cabinet decision in 2005, and the day has been observed annually since then.

Large-scale national commemorations were held continuously from 2005 to 2014, drawing participation from political leaders, public institutions and citizens, reinforcing a collective commitment to remembrance, safety and disaster risk reduction.

December 25, Colombo (LNW): Public transport authorities have stepped up services across the country today to accommodate the surge of passengers travelling to their hometowns for the festive season. The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) says a special transport plan is in effect to minimise congestion and ensure smoother journeys.

SLTB Chief Operations Officer Sankha Weerasuriya stated that 75 additional bus services have been introduced on key routes, particularly those linking major cities with outlying districts. He noted that the enhanced bus schedule will remain in place until the 27th of this month to cater to the extended holiday travel period.

Supporting these efforts, National Transport Commission Director General Nilan Miranda said close to 100 private buses have also been authorised to operate special services, easing pressure on regular timetables and reducing overcrowding.

Rail passengers are likewise set to benefit, with Railway Operations Officer Asanka Samarasinghe confirming that extra train services are running today as part of the festive travel arrangements. Authorities have urged commuters to plan ahead and make use of the additional services made available during this busy period.

December 25, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s fisheries industry has been left reeling after the recent disaster, with overall losses now estimated at well over Rs. 7.6 billion, according to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources.

Officials say the aquaculture segment has borne the brunt of the damage, accounting for nearly Rs. 5.9 billion in losses, as farms and coastal facilities were badly affected.

High-value activities such as fish farming, shrimp cultivation and sea cucumber production were among the hardest hit, disrupting both local supply chains and export-oriented operations. The impact has also been felt at sea, with damage to marine fisheries calculated at close to Rs. 1.8 billion.

Preliminary assessments indicate widespread destruction of fishing assets, including the total loss of more than 300 marine fishing vessels, while a further 400 boats have been damaged to varying degrees. Authorities say detailed assessments are continuing, alongside discussions on relief measures and long-term recovery plans for affected fishing communities.

December 25, Colombo (LNW): Health officials have issued a public warning that the number of road traffic accidents is likely to rise during the current festive season, calling on travellers to act responsibly and prioritise safety.

Speaking at a briefing held at the Health Education Bureau yesterday (24), officials said holiday-related travel patterns often lead to increased risks on the roads. Longer journeys, crowded highways, driver fatigue and a tendency to speed or take unnecessary risks during celebrations were identified as common factors behind seasonal spikes in accidents.

The authorities stressed the need for strict adherence to traffic laws, including refraining from driving under the influence of alcohol, ensuring vehicles are in good mechanical condition and taking regular breaks during extended trips. They also urged drivers to remain patient in congested areas and to be mindful of vulnerable road users.

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists were all reminded to stay vigilant, with officials emphasising that many serious injuries and deaths during the festive period are preventable. By exercising caution and shared responsibility, they said, the public can help ensure the season remains one of celebration rather than tragedy.

December 25, Colombo (LNW): Authorities have issued a safety advisory urging the public to exercise greater caution when using electrical equipment during the Christmas and New Year period, citing a heightened risk of electric shock and fire hazards at this time of year.

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) noted that accidents linked to unsafe household electrical use are reported annually, with festive decorations often at the centre of the problem. Faulty wiring, poor-quality lighting and overcrowded extension cords were identified as common causes of serious injuries and, in some cases, fatalities. Officials stressed that while homes are generally seen as secure environments, neglecting basic electrical safety can turn them into dangerous spaces.

Consumers have been advised to purchase only electrical products that meet recognised standards, particularly decorative lighting fitted with SLS-approved 13A Type-G square pin plugs. Before switching them on, users are encouraged to carefully check for damaged insulation, exposed wires, loose fittings or signs of overheating. Replacing bulbs or LED lamps with non-approved alternatives was also discouraged.

The PUCSL further recommended keeping plugs, extension leads and control units dry and positioned indoors, away from rain or damp conditions. For added protection, households were urged to use electrical circuits fitted with a 30 mA residual current circuit breaker (RCCB), especially when installing lights outdoors. Any decorative lighting used outside should be specifically designed for outdoor conditions and capable of withstanding wet weather.

Officials also warned against placing lights near curtains, paper ornaments or other flammable materials, and cautioned against linking multiple light sets together unless the manufacturer has approved such use. Members of the public were reminded never to install or remove bulbs while the lights are connected to a power source and to avoid attempting repairs on damaged lighting, advising safe disposal instead.

Reinforcing the message, authorities emphasised that electric shocks caused by substandard or poorly maintained decorations can be fatal, and called on the public to follow these guidelines to ensure the festive season remains safe as well as joyful.

December 25, Colombo (LNW): Authorities have moved swiftly to detain suspects following the interception of a large consignment of narcotics found aboard a multi-day fishing vessel off Sri Lanka’s southern coastline.

The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) has secured seven-day detention orders for those initially taken into custody, after they were produced before the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court.

The operation began on December 20 when Sri Lanka Navy personnel, carrying out routine maritime surveillance, boarded a fishing vessel and detected suspicious cargo. The vessel, along with five individuals on board, was escorted to the Dikkowita Harbour on December 24 for further examination.

Detailed searches conducted at the harbour uncovered a substantial haul, including 21 kilogrammes of heroin and 172 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘Ice’.

Early investigations suggest the drugs had been transferred at sea from a foreign vessel believed to be of Iranian origin. Expanding the probe, PNB officers arrested a further six suspects at the Mirissa Fisheries Harbour, who are suspected of assisting in transporting the narcotics into the country.

The Sri Lanka Navy, commenting on the wider picture, said maritime drug smuggling remains a major focus of enforcement efforts. According to naval figures, nearly 99 boats and long-range fishing vessels linked to narcotics trafficking have been seized so far this year, along with the arrest of around 360 suspects.

The Navy also reported the confiscation of more than four tonnes of illegal drugs during the year, including over 2,982 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine and more than 1,050 kilogrammes of heroin. In addition, significant quantities of other narcotics were intercepted, such as hashish, nearly 1.7 million illicit pills, and approximately 5,900 kilogrammes of both locally grown and imported cannabis.

December 25, Colombo (LNW): Police have issued a strong warning that breaches of environmental laws will be met with uncompromising enforcement, as part of a renewed drive to protect natural resources.

Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police F. U. Wootler, said a series of recent operations had already led to the arrest of 23 individuals suspected of violating environmental regulations. The raids, carried out in several areas over the past few days, targeted activities deemed harmful to the environment.

He added that these actions were only the beginning, noting that further inspections and enforcement operations are planned nationwide. Authorities stressed that those who continue to disregard environmental laws should expect swift legal action, as the police step up efforts to deter environmental damage and uphold existing regulations.

December 25, Colombo (LNW): Prison authorities have announced that inmates in correctional facilities nationwide will be allowed to receive visitors today in observance of Christmas Day, offering a rare moment of personal connection during the festive season.

According to the Prison Media Spokesperson and Commissioner of Prisons, Jagath Weerasinghe, families and close relatives may meet inmates under special arrangements made for the day.

Visitors have been advised to limit any food items or sweets they bring to quantities intended for a single prisoner, in keeping with prison regulations.

The initiative is intended to mark the spirit of Christmas by allowing detainees to spend time with loved ones and share simple gifts or festive treats. Officials said the measure was designed to promote goodwill and emotional wellbeing among inmates, while maintaining security and order within prison premises.

December 25, World (LNW): Pope Leo has called on Christians to see the Christmas story as a clear moral challenge, reminding them that faith must be expressed through care for the poor, migrants and those pushed to the edges of society. Speaking on Christmas Eve, he said the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus carried a powerful message about human responsibility and compassion.

Preaching during a candlelit mass in St Peter’s Basilica, the Pope reflected on the Gospel account of Jesus being born in a stable after his family was turned away from an inn. He told worshippers that shutting out those in need was not merely a social failure but a spiritual one, warning that indifference towards others amounted to turning away from God. Around 6,000 people attended the service inside the basilica, while thousands more followed proceedings from St Peter’s Square despite heavy rain.

The Pope, who has made the defence of migrants and the disadvantaged central to his young papacy, said the Christmas message affirmed the dignity of every human being. Drawing on the words of his predecessors, he criticised an economic system that reduces people to commodities and ignores children, the poor and foreigners. He stressed that wherever human life is welcomed and respected, God is present, even in the most humble of places.

Now 70, Pope Leo is marking his first Christmas as pontiff since his election in May, becoming the first pope born in the United States. Before the mass began, he stepped outside to greet the crowds sheltering under umbrellas, thanking them for their perseverance and spirit. He is due to celebrate Christmas Day mass and later deliver his traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing, addressing the city of Rome and the wider world.