Sri Lanka officially initiated engineering consultancy services for the technical implementation of the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB) project on Monday (9), marking the beginning of the country’s long-anticipated transition from its 46-year-old analog terrestrial broadcasting system to a unified digital platform.

The launch event took place at the Health and Mass Media Ministry auditorium under the patronage of Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. Addressing the gathering, the Minister highlighted that the commencement of DTTB technology operations is not only a transformative step for Sri Lanka’s broadcasting landscape but also a significant stride in advancing the nation’s broader digital economy. He noted that the project, delayed for over a decade due to various reasons, has now been expedited as part of a renewed commitment to modernising telecommunications infrastructure.

The Minister emphasized that the DTTB initiative underscores the longstanding friendship and technical cooperation between Japan and Sri Lanka, as Japanese engineering consultants have joined hands with local experts to carry out the project. A key feature of the project is the establishment of a state-of-the-art 4K digital studio complex for the Sri Lanka Television Corporation, representing a major upgrade in national broadcasting capabilities.

With this digital migration, Sri Lankan viewers will benefit from high-definition (HD) picture quality, and broadcasters will enjoy more efficient operations thanks to the enhanced spectral efficiency of digital systems. The upgrade will also allow for more television channels to be transmitted within the same frequency spectrum.

Moreover, the shift to digital broadcasting frees up valuable spectrum—particularly in the 700MHz band—which can now be redirected to support the rollout of 5G technology and improve broadband internet access, especially in rural areas.

DTTB Project Director, Eng. Prasanga Rajapaksa, delivered a comprehensive overview of the project, outlining its strategic importance to the future of broadcasting in Sri Lanka and reaffirming the government’s commitment to driving digital transformation across the media and communications sectors.

Dr. Gita Gopinath, the First Deputy Managing Director (FDMD) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka beginning June 15, marking the first visit by a sitting FDMD to the country since 2005.

A key highlight of her visit will be her participation as Guest of Honour at the high-level conference titled “Sri Lanka’s Road to Recovery: Debt and Governance”, to be held on June 16. The event is jointly organised by the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and the IMF, and comes at the mid-point of Sri Lanka’s IMF-supported reform programme.

The conference will serve as a platform to:

• Reflect on lessons learned from Sri Lanka’s efforts in achieving macroeconomic stability
• Assess progress in debt restructuring and governance reforms
• Discuss the challenges ahead for sustained recovery

Dr. Gopinath is also expected to engage in bilateral discussions with Sri Lankan authorities and key stakeholdersregarding the IMF’s continued engagement and support for the country’s economic recovery efforts.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake departed for Germany on a three-day official visit from June 11 to 13, 2025, at the invitation of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism confirmed.

During the visit, President Dissanayake is scheduled to:

• Hold bilateral talks with President Steinmeier and senior German federal ministers
• Discuss enhanced cooperation in trade, the digital economy, investment, and vocational training
• Chair a Business Forum hosted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) to promote Sri Lanka’s economic reforms, investment potential, and trade partnerships
• Engage with German tourism and travel industry stakeholders to boost Sri Lanka’s appeal as a secure and attractive destination

The President is accompanied by Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath and a delegation of senior government officials. The visit aims to deepen economic and diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and Germany, in line with Sri Lanka’s development and international engagement strategies.

By: Staff Writer

June 10, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka aims to complete 50% of construction at the East Container Terminal (ECT) in Colombo Port by the end of 2025, though full completion is now expected in 2027 due to repeated delays, according to Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake.

Speaking in Parliament recently , the Minister cited corruption and political interference as primary reasons for the delay. Originally scheduled for completion in 2026, the ECT project began sluggishly, despite being declared a special development initiative under full ownership of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).

However, controversy has emerged around the project’s stagnation. Shyamal Sumanaratna, co-convener of the Port Trade Union Joint Alliance, alleged that a senior Port Regulatory Authority official is deliberately allowing the terminal to deteriorate. At a press briefing in Colombo, Sumanaratna revealed that multiple attempts to inform the Minister about these concerns were ignored.

He claimed that tenders for essential equipment, such as straddle carriers, have been cancelled for over eight months without reissue—potentially benefiting rival terminals. The delay means even if a new tender is called now, it would take more than a year to import the necessary equipment.

Sumanaratna also disputed the President’s announcement that the ECT would be operational by the end of June, asserting it would realistically take at least another 18 months. He warned that whistleblowing union leaders face disciplinary actions and transfers, but vowed to continue speaking out despite the risks.

The ECT, once completed, will include a 1,400-metre jetty capable of handling three large vessels simultaneously, supported by 12 gantry cranes and 40 transfer cranes. The terminal will span 75 hectares and handle up to three million containers annually, with semi-automated and digital operations. Contractors China Engineering and Access Engineering are tasked with completing the $585 million project.

Meanwhile, the Central Expressway Project (CEP)—another key national infrastructure effort—has also suffered from years of stalled construction. Originally launched in 2020 as a four-year initiative, the CEP has cost Sri Lanka over Rs. 55 billion in penalties due to delays.

In Parliament, Minister Rathnayake condemned the CEP’s mismanagement, calling it “a theft, a fraud, and a tragedy.” The expressway, which stretches 136.9 km from Kadawatha to Dambulla in four sections, has seen only Section 2 (Mirigama to Kurunegala) fully completed.

The Road Development Authority (RDA) stated that work on Section 3 (Pothuhera to Galagedara) is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed by 2026. Preliminary work on Section 1 is ongoing, while Section 4 remains in early planning.

The CEP includes 14 interchanges, three of which are system interchanges, and 12 service interchanges to improve regional connectivity. Despite setbacks, officials assert that both the ECT and CEP remain high-priority projects in the government’s infrastructure agenda.

June 10, Colombo (LNW): The scheduling of Provincial Council elections remains in limbo as Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister for Provincial Councils and Local Government, Prabha Ruwan Senarath, confirmed that a final decision is anticipated in the opening months of next year.

He cited lingering legal complexities and administrative setbacks—chief amongst them the unresolved delimitation process—as primary reasons for the ongoing delay.

Minister Senarath clarified that no elections will take place until these fundamental challenges are thoroughly resolved and a cohesive, legally sound framework for local governance is firmly in place.

This stance follows controversy surrounding a previously submitted delimitation report, which was introduced under the tenure of former Minister Faizer Musthapha but was ultimately discarded after considerable political backlash.

Given the stalemate, the current administration is actively reviewing the possibility of reinstating the previous electoral model whilst reconfiguring the geographical boundaries of provincial councils to reflect more equitable representation.

Yet, the Deputy Minister underscored that the holding of any election must come after a comprehensive reform of the local government system, designed to enhance its capacity to deliver essential services at the community level.

Looking ahead, the government is tentatively eyeing January 2026 to revisit the question of elections. By then, authorities aim to have resolved the myriad legal and procedural issues that currently hinder the democratic process at the provincial level.

Preliminary consultations are reportedly already underway, though Senarath warned that multiple obstacles remain and must be addressed systematically before the nation can return to the polls.

By: Isuru Parakrama

June 10, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has openly acknowledged that certain inmates were released from custody through unlawful means, implicating officials within the Department of Prisons in a growing scandal that underscores the deepening rot within key arms of the Sri Lankan state.

Addressing the nation during a Poson Poya ceremony held in Mihintale this evening (10), the President delivered a searing critique of institutional corruption, painting a grim picture of state agencies compromised by criminal influence and political negligence.

In his remarks, he expressed grave concern that some public servants—entrusted with upholding the law—have instead become enablers of criminality.

“We must confront the truth: some inmates have been released illegally by officers who were supposed to safeguard the integrity of our correctional system,” he stated, referring to an ongoing controversy linked to recent Presidential pardons.

President Dissanayake did not stop at the prisons. He went on to accuse certain police officers of protecting criminals rather than pursuing justice, whilst officials at the Department of Immigration and Emigration stand accused of issuing passports to figures involved in organised crime.

Allegations also extended to the Department of Motor Traffic, where irregularities in documentation and vehicle registration have reportedly become commonplace.

“The very institutions that should inspire trust have become sources of anxiety and suspicion for the public,” the President lamented. “There is a breakdown in civic discipline and institutional integrity. People no longer look to state bodies with confidence or peace of mind.”

In light of these revelations, Dissanayake proposed the introduction of a nationwide civic responsibility programme aimed at restoring ethical standards and social discipline. He suggested that guidance drawn from Buddhist teachings could offer a moral framework for such a transformation.

The President’s remarks come amid a string of arrests involving public officials linked to various corrupt practices. Investigations into the unauthorised release of prisoners and other alleged misconduct are ongoing, with pressure mounting on authorities to ensure accountability and implement reforms.